Another great entry into the ‘4X Series (Holland ’44, Ardennes ’44, Normandy ’44, Ukraine ’43, etc.) from GMT Games designed by Mark Simonitch, Stalingrad ’42 is a division-level game on the Axis 1942 summer offensive towards Stalingrad and the Caucasus. The game features 5 different scenarios. They are the Campaign Game: June 28th – December 31st (34 turns), Case Blue: June – August (14 turns), Operation Uranus: November – December (7 turns), Introductory Scenario: First 6 turns of Case Blue (uses one only map) and Battle of the Caucasus: August – November (16 turns) (uses only one map).
-Grant
The Players' Aid 
Grant… Here’s a thought. I’m like many serious war gamers… I have tens of games about one theater of war. When one games, it is easy to end up with five or more games about… Gettysburg, WWII Eastern Front, D-Day, Waterloo, and the air war over Germany during the Allied bombing raids. While designers keep re-inventing these same scenarios, time and again, do WE EVER question WHICH ONE might be the best (subject to one’s prejudices), and move on to games like “Maori Wars”, or “Commanceria”… games that stress new and different subjects??? I’d like to see the gaming community’s reviewers from Stuka Joe, to you and Alexander rate same-theme games on a BUY LIST priority, stating the strengths and weaknesses in terms of game mechanics, production quality, ease of play, re-playability, and so forth. Just me? I currently have a TON of East Front games: Stalingrad (AH), The Hell of Stalingrad (card game), Stalingrad (DVG), The Russian Campaign (AH), PanzerBlitz (AH), Combat Infantry (Columbia), Squad Leader (AH), The Streets of Stalingrad (Critical hit, a bag game), and a few others I’ve forgotten… this DOES NOT include my curiosity concerning Academy Games “Storms of Steel”, “Awakening the Bear”, “Old School Tactical (Flying Pig), and the new Stalingrad from Spain. Have I forgotten around another 20 games out there… YES I have! SO… IF you were to buy intelligently, and NOT have an ocean of Eastern Front games… WHICH ONE’s would be best? ALL THAT being said, I’m sure they’re ALL of them have many strong and good points to them… AND it’s a subject that is easy… I mean it’s just the hated Nazi’s killing the hated Soviets. It’s NOT going to be like shedding tears when the games become a blood bath! It’s NOT like losing a crew in “B-17, Queen of the Skies”. Just me? Just some food for thought, Grant… I have to sit here and think IF I can even play ALL the war games I have in my collection, at this point? I haven’t mentioned the cost of these games, as that is a priority of the individual gamer. AS USUAL… thanks for all your hard work, keeping us informed…
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Alexander…Thanks for the video review! Normally when I see yet another East Front game, I cringe. This one looks clearly interesting. Low counter density usually translates to more maneuver and strategy, and NOT so much slam and kill. I like the reduction system, just flip the counter. Though it lacks the shock and awe (production quality) of “Awakening the Bear” and “Storms of Steel”, this looks like a really solid game. YET… another fantastic unboxing…. keep up the great work.
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