According to the introduction in the instruction manual, "The Falklands War is a two player simulation of the conflict fought over the islands of the same name. Play starts on the 1st of May, 1982 and ends by either a diplomatic resolution of the crisis or the defeat of one side by the other. The game is played in a series of game turns in which players alternate moves and combat according to the Sequence of Play ... Victory is determined by victory points awarded for destroying enemy units and capturing military objectives."