From: William Sariego Subject: Great Patriotic War: Initial impressions I picked up this game on consignment from a local hobby store. I remember it from the late 80's but read some negative press and gave it little thought for purchase. This time I just couldn't help myself. Initial impressions were great. The counters are GDW at its best and the slick looking mapboard is definately unique. The rules are amazingly simple, even in the advanced game. An experienced gamer will be playing this in short order. Set up will take longer than rules digestion. My first play through had the Germans stalled along the Dneiper in the south and around Smolensk in the north as 1941 ended. Then I got a great weather roll in Jan/Feb and broke a three hex gap across the Dneiper near Kiev. I was able to punch armor and infantry through to create a dangerous salient stretching to Kharkov. The Soviets had to pull back everywhere but the far north to readjust the line. In the open however, the superior German mobility carried the day. The Game ended exactly one year later, Jan/Feb 43 with an Axis victory. It was fast, fun, and furious. Realistic, not really. The chance to get clear weather in the midst of winter (in Russia!) goes against conventional wisdom. The supply rules are pretty weak on effects to isolated units. Overall a good little game. I'd be glad to hear from others and their impressions. On the sliding BS scale (Bill Sariego, not B*** S***), I give this game a solid B on its first impressions. From: John Desch Subject: Re: Great Patriotic War: Initial impressions Bill says: > Overall a good little game. I'd be glad to hear from others and their >impressions. On the sliding BS scale (Bill Sariego, not B*** S***), I give >this game a solid B on its first impressions. I agree with Bill. It is a fun little game with some wicked historical flaws. I prefer playability when there's a choice to make, but this is a case where it's taken to an extreme. Bill pointed out the 50% chance of clear winter weather, and that's a real problem. I've yet to win as the Russians and I think the extended campaign season is part of the problem. I'm also not real fond of the nearly exclusive fight-move system (although IIRC panzers get to move and then fight). The units are ultimate cookie-cutter and you don't get a good feel for the growth of the Red Army that most other games provide. That is one of the coolest things about ol' War in the East -- you are the architect of your Russian army. The decisions you make one year will haunt you the next. Given the wide choices of Russian Front games currently available, I would shy away from GPW. I'm not as generous as Bill -- it gets a C from me. John T. Desch jtd4@cornell.edu (607)255-5014