Stalingrad '42: Southern Russia, June-December, 1942
Anecdote
Designed by Mark Simonitch for GMT Games, Stalingrad '42 recreates the southern Russia campaign from June to December 1942, from the launch of Fall Blau to the encirclement of the Sixth Army. The hex-and-counter system uses divisions on a map covering the Don, the Volga, and the Caucasus. A full game requires approximately fifteen to twenty hours, but shorter scenarios allow players to tackle Fall Blau, the advance on Stalingrad, or Operation Uranus in five to eight hours. The learning curve is moderate, thanks to a very clear instructional booklet in the Simonitch tradition. The designer drew on David Glantz, Jason Mark, and German primary sources to build a remarkably faithful simulation. GMT's components are of very high quality, with a beautifully drafted map and readable player aids. Stalingrad '42 belongs to the Simonitch series — '14, '15, '40, '41, '43, '44, '45 — which covers the entire European war with a consistent system. Critical reception was excellent, earning several major awards including a Charles S. Roberts Award. The title's influence is visible in the new wave of modernised operational wargames. The community is very active, supplying Vassal and BGG with variants and scenarios. No French translation exists, but the material remains accessible to experienced French-speaking players. For Stalingrad enthusiasts, this is one of the finest operational treatments ever produced. Simonitch reaffirms here his status as the benchmark of modern operational wargaming. The title embodies the maturity of a tradition that knows how to modernise hex-and-counter without betraying it. It offers a privileged window onto the decisive 1942 campaign, the turning point of the conflict in the East.
Popularity & reception
Awards — Charles S. Roberts Award - Best WWII Boardgame (2019) · Golden Geek - Best Wargame nomination (2019) · BGG Top 100 Wargames
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