2The 'Blizzard', also known as CL172, is a 1972 Osiris Games (designated O177) science fiction wargame released by SPI. It presents a fixed-grid "tabletop" simulation where players command opposing forces in a cold, polar war scenario against a backdrop of Russian Soviet aggression.

Fri, 01 May 2026 12:20:06 +0000

Blizzard (CL172): The Cold War Tabletop Wargame Reimagining from Osiris Games Released in 1972 by SPI under the designation O177, Blizzard (also known as CL172) stands as a rare and atmospheric entry in the pantheon of Cold War-era science fiction wargames. Designed by Osiris Games—then a rising force in the wargaming industry—Blizzard blends gripping tactical simulation with a chilling geopolitical backdrop, offering players the chance to command opposing forces in a fixed-grid battlefield scenario rooted in a stark, frozen confrontation against a Soviet aggressor. ### A Fixed-Grid Cold War Supreme: The Game’s Setting and Theme
Set against the frozen tundras and desolate outposts of a frozen polar conflict, Blizzard immerses players in a tense narrative of 1970s Cold War paranoia. The game spreads across a detailed hex-based tabletop map, where each square comes alive with military maneuvering and strategic decision-making. Against the backdrop of Soviet-Russian military expansion, Blizzard transforms abstract geopolitical tensions into visceral combat, punctuated by piercing winds and endless snowfall—elements that amplify the game’s atmosphere of isolation and relentless adversity. ### Gameplay: Tactical Combat on a Fixed Grid
At its core, Blizzard delivers a classic fixed-grid wargame experience, hallmark of SPI’s design tradition. Players manipulate armies of elite Soviet and NATO troops in narrow, tactically complex engagements, where terrain, weather, and limited sightlines critically shape outcomes. The fixed grid ensures precision, forcing commanders to balance formation discipline with adaptive tactics amid howling blizzards and harsh environmental conditions. This structured yet demanding format rewards careful planning and real-time tactical adjustments, making each battle a high-stakes showdown frozen in time.