Where to Buy
Pick up all the elements of one of the best sci-fi wargame series in one place, the Two-Hour Wargames' store!
Latest Editions
Wargames
As of March 2022, the majority of titles in the 5150 series have been updated to what is supposedly the last edition. Gameplay mechanisms have been streamlined, more options for play have been added, and everything is just a little tighter and more modern.
As always, THW games are playable co-op, solo, or head-to-head, which can be an immense plus if you can't get together with your friends or would rather play alongside rather than against them. The inclusion of tokens and maps, even if you buy the PDF version, means that online play is more than reasonable in whatever virtual tabletop you choose.
1:1 miniature rules which cover operations of up to a Company size, usable on both traditional wargame maps and the more abstract "battle board" system. Included are the stats for seven armies, a campaign system, and a variety of tokens and battle boards to play on.
The expansion for Star Army which covers vehicular combat and integration with infantry in combined arms maneuver. Lots of tokens, stats on over 50 tanks and mechs, plus a 10 mission custom campaign. Also integrated with the new "battle board" system if you want to play at a more abstract level.
Useful if you want to take things to the next scale up. Much more streamlined mechanics for managing larger troop organizations and playing out a larger war.
Looking for a standalone campaign? Here it is. Argus IV is in rebellion and your job is to put them down. Gaea Prime is not known for wearing kid gloves when dealing with the sort of thing. This campaign is compatible with both Star Army and Company Commander so you can be pushing around a fair amount of lead.
The original edition needed no updates to be compatible with Total War. If you wanted a solid reference on combat involving alien, hostile planets, airless moons, and ships that have been adrift for hundreds of years full of nasty surprises – this is your book. It contains a campaign specifically focused on Marine actions.
Have you ever wanted to say "bugs, millions of them!" Or "they're coming out of the walls!" Or "you want some of this? Come get some!" This is the book for you. Compatible with both the Total War series and Star Marine, this book and its companions No Retreat and Breakout provide an entire terrifying series of missions for your troops to survive. If they are very lucky.
Another campaign available for the 5150 series which places Gaea Prime directly at odds with the Hishen, a clone race devoted to acquiring slaves to keep their civilization going.
It's no use having a ground force if you can't take it where it needs to be and keep it alive on the way. That's what the Star Navy does. As with the other Total War books, inside you have rules for commanding everything from a single ship to an entire fleet along with a campaign full of missions including taking out pirates and just making a proper showing of the fleet.
Sometimes you don't have command of a fleet. The best you can do is a fighter. Or a wing of fighters. As ever, you get rules for a campaign, a campaign map, battle board, counters, and even a deck of cards to make resolving certain parts of the mechanics even faster.
Role-playing Game
Before Total War revamped the battlefield, there was a reboot of New Beginnings, the tabletop role-playing game set in the 5150 universe. Rather than focusing on the hard-core battles and struggles of military and paramilitary forces, New Beginnings allows you to play the character experiencing the setting as a whole from various personal perspectives.
Just like Total War, New Beginnings allows you to play solo, co-op, or head-to-head – however you want to play the game.
The core RPG for the 5150 universe. Extremely lightweight mechanics, a flexible class and profession system, and the ability to play solo for co-op as well as head-to-head make this a unique entry when it comes to the usual tabletop role-playing game. The new edition also includes sci-fi boxing minigame for getting involved with or simply betting on.
If you were looking for a little bit of Traveler to put into your 5150, this is it. Inside are systems for creating planets, star systems, cities, dealing with combat in zero-G, and more. Set off on your own expedition to encounter new and unexpected terrible situations, alone or with friends.
Have you ever wanted to be a cop? More importantly, have you ever wanted your character to be a cop? Or just know more about police and law enforcement in the 5150 setting? How about cybernetic implants? Or how to run your own criminal enterprise? This is your book.
Round them up! New Beginnings' default setting is New Hope City, a not-quite-dystopia on the edge of Gaea Prime space. It's full of unusual aliens, interesting characters, and all sorts of trouble to get into at the drop of a hat – and then it will knock your head off. This book contains a ton of methods to create characters, figure out what they're doing, figure out how you got there and where you're going next, and what kind of trouble you'll find once it happens.
Older Editions
Some of these are still available through other retailers. Your mileage may vary.
Free Games
If you're new to the Two-Hour Wargames experience and you don't know if you're ready to take the plunge into purchasing one of the best wargame lines on Earth, that's understandable. Everyone has limited money and limited time, and no one wants you to waste yours on a game you won't enjoy.
So here's the deal: how about you get to play THW games for free? If you like the mechanics, if you like the fact that you can play solo or same side with your friends, or you just like that you're not tied down to just one miniature figure supplier – feel free to go ahead and buy whatever part of the line appeals to you most. You're encouraged.
As Ed is fond of saying, "just play the game!"
The big kahuna of THW free mechanics is Chain Reaction 2018. Inside you will find all of the core mechanics which are used throughout the rest of the THW game universe, including solo, same side, and head-to-head play styles. If you wondered how that was even possible, this is how you find out – for free.
CR2018 is a great place to start, and might even satisfy your needs if what you're looking for is a new, lightweight game system for moderns.
Maybe not looking for science fiction but instead something to replace your fantasy needs? THW can cover you. Swordplay 2018 gives you all the tools you need to sling swords, throw spells, and get yourself in trouble with the local authorities.
Not really relevant to 5150 but if fantasy is more your thing, Warrior Heroes might be what you're looking for. Sample it here.