Sensuikan: Japanese Fleet Submarines, 1941-45

Publisher: Compass Games
Designers: Gregory M. Smith, Brett Grimmond
Language: English
Period: World War II – Pacific Theater (1941-1945)
Type: Tactical solitaire naval wargame

Game Overview

Sensuikan: Japanese Fleet Submarines, 1941-45 places the player in command of an Imperial Japanese Navy fleet submarine from the attack on Pearl Harbor through the final months of World War II. Your objective is to survive a full career while carrying out missions assigned by the Combined Fleet.

Each patrol represents a series of operations where you must complete strategic assignments such as reconnaissance, special operations, or attacks on enemy forces. While sinking Allied shipping may occur, the main objective is to support Japanese naval operations and major wartime events.

The game highlights the unique capabilities of Japanese submarines through special modules including aircraft-carrying submarines, midget submarine operations, and late-war Kaiten suicide torpedoes.

Crew development and career progression are also key elements: the crew improves over time, the commander can earn promotions and decorations, and survival becomes increasingly difficult as Allied anti-submarine warfare improves.

Game Features

• Players: 1 (optional multi-player adaptation)

• Complexity: 4 / 10

• Solitaire suitability: 10 / 10

• Playing time:

  • 15–20 minutes per patrol

  • 5+ hours for a full career campaign
    

• Time scale: Monthly or longer patrols

• Map scale: Abstract

• Unit scale: Individual submarines, aircraft, weapon systems, crew members, torpedoes and ammunition.

The game includes 17 historical submarine classes, each with its own capabilities and equipment.

Box Contents

• 3 counter sheets
• 9 double-sided submarine display mats (17 classes + 1 midget sub)
• 8 double-sided player aid cards
• 2 additional player aids
• 4 double-sided tactical combat maps (10 maps total)
• 1 Captain & Crew status display
• 1 Operations map
• 1 rules booklet
• 1 submarine patrol logsheet
• 2 six-sided dice and 2 ten-sided dice
• Game box.