
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,643
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Wake Island
- 2 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 1981

1981
Rules assistance for Red Star Falling
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Red Star Falling is a board game released in 1981 for 2 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Kenneth Kaufman and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation.
Red Star Falling gives players the chance to make Patton's dream and every wargamer's fantasy come alive. In March 1945, the Western Allies and the defeated German Wehrmacht challenge the Russians for control of Central and Eastern Europe. Red Star Falling is a corps level game with these components: 144 Unit Counters, 17x22 Full Color Map, 12 Page Rulebook, A Six Sided Die, A Game Chart. Red Star Falling is of moderate complexity, but can be enjoyed by all gamers.
Red Star Falling supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Red Star Falling is 120 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 Red Star Falling 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.
Red Star Falling has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
Red Star Falling belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation. 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 Red Star Falling are: Kenneth Kaufman. 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 Red Star Falling 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.