
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Fortress Malta
- 1–2 players
- 180 min
- 2014

2008
Rules assistance for Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 is a board game released in 2008 for 1–2 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Brian L. Knipple and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid.
Island of Death focuses on the hypothetical invasion of Malta by Axis forces during the Second World War. Players control German, Italian and Commonwealth forces on a 22"x17" map covering the entire island. The system used is adapted from earlier Avalanche releases (Red Steel, Red Parachutes, and Alamein). The game includes a small introductory scenario and a campaign scenario covering the entire battle. Each oversized hex is 1 kilometer across, while the 280 counters represent mostly Companies and Battalions. Included in the 24-page rulebook are rules for Paratroopers, Armor, Artillery Support, supply lines, amphibious landings and parachute drops.
Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 supports 1–2 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 is 180 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 has a complexity rating of 3.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 are: Brian L. Knipple. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Island of Death: Invasion of Malta, 1942 as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.