Wargames
Federation Commander: Briefing #1 — Review
Federation Commander: Briefing #1 is Amarillo Design Bureau’s latest expansion to their Federation Commander starship combat games. Briefing #1 is basically a scenario set with some miscellaneous material thrown in. It is a 64-page black and white book with color card stock cover. The layout is typical FedCom. Read the rest of this entry »
Dark July: The Battles for Prokhorovka Announced
Lock ‘n Load Publishing announced a new title for their Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes game system, Dark July: The Battles for Prokhorovka.
The game depicts the battles fought west of the Russian city of Prokhorovka on July 10-12, 1943.
Designed by Juan Carlos Cebrian (A las Barricadas!), the game features 85 new counters; a 22” x 34” historically accurate map complete with the famed Hill 252.2, the Soviet trenches to the east, and the Oktiabrskii State Farm to the north; and six historical scenarios. Here’s every gamer’s chance to be a part of one of the Second World War’s climactic battles on the Eastern Front; and the squad-level nuances of the Lock ‘n Load gaming system will put you in the middle of it. Be the Germans, be the Soviets. Be there!
AT-43 — Rackham and You
Rackham released a three page pdf outlining some of its plans for AT-43. Most significant was probably the confirmation that the Cogs will be the next race released for AT-43. Also mentioned are some new books, Campaign Book – Operation: Damocles and AT-43 – Tactics as well as some sort of rules subset for armor entitled Armored Heroes.
Panzer Command: Kharkov Released
Matrix Games quietly released Panzer Command: Kharkov. This is a World War Two, tactical, computer wargame. It is an update to the original Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm game from two years ago.
I have only played the training mission so far but it looks like a minor update to the original game. PC: Kharkov now has smoke but some of the same movement and AI annoyances still seem to be present. But I will provide more details once I have had more time with the game. The original PC:OWS was a solid game; It had some issues but was enjoyable. PC: Kharkov will probably be at least as good.
The Wargamer has a preview of the game.
If you enjoy World War Two tactical wargames you should give it a look.
Get the 1.01 update.
[Updated: 28MAY08]
World at War: Blood and Bridges Announced
Lock ‘n Load Publishing announced another new title. This one is not just an expansion but a complete game in its new Cold War-era World at War board wargame series.
World at War: Blood and Bridges on P500.
The war is raging on and now it is up to the British and their formidable array of weapons systems to blunt the Soviet spearhead. Chieftain and Challenger tanks, Striker ATGM vehicles, FV-432 APCs, Lynx attack helicopters, Tornado fighter-bombers and others clash headlong into first rate Soviet Guards units outfitted with T-80 and T-64 tanks, BMP-2 APCs, MTU-55 Bridgelayers, SA-13s, Hind E attack helicopters, Su-25 ground attack aircraft and many more. There is only one mission here. Hold the bridges or see Soviet armour on Channel coast. Are you up to the task?
Patton Drives East Announced
Battlefront announced a pre-pub offer for Patton Drives East, its upcoming expansion to its Strategic Command 2 grand strategy game series. Unlike previous expansions, PDE takes SC2 into one of the great hypothetical conflicts of World War Two — What if the U.S. Army, led by Gen. Patton, had attacked Russia? Patton Drives East is scheduled for release in May.
[Update 8MAY09: Patton Drives East is now available.]
AT-43 — New Errata
Rackham released an errata sheet for its AT-43 sci-fi miniatures game. It is two pages long and includes corrections to the AT-43 Rulebook, U.N.A. Army Book, Therian Army Book, RedBlok Army Book, and Karmans Army Book.
AT-43 — Karmans Review
You have probably noticed that our AT-43 coverage of the Karmans has been very light. We just decided to skip them and wait to see what comes next for AT-43. But we found a nice review of the Karmans Army Book on the Samurai Gunslinger blog.
AT-43 — Cold Toad
Rackham released a new U.N.A. Fire Toad for AT-43. Differing from the original releases (MKs 02 and 03) of the Fire Toad this one replaces the shipping container with all three weapon options (Light Laser Cannons, Light MGs, and Light Grenade Launcher). Also included are eight unit cards (one leader and one troop for each of the patterns; Fire Toad, Light Prince, Iron Rain, and Lancelot). In addition, the Fire Toad is now painted in the new Operation: Frostbite ‘winter’ scheme similar to the new Shock TacArms. It is a medium gray finish with an off-white splinter pattern. Overall it is very attractive and there are numerous details picked out and markings on the vehicle. Additionally, both the Light Laser Cannons and the Light MGs have the winter pattern as well but not the Light Grenade Launchers.
Overall, the Fire Toad looks good in the new scheme and the weapon options are a welcomed addition.
AT-43 — U.N.A. Close Combat Troops
Rackham recently released some new U.N.A. Close Combat units for AT-43. First up is the new U.N.A. Shock TacArms. These were previously unseen troops and the last of the TacArms from the U.N.A. Army Book to be released. The Shock TacArms ship three to a box with one leader figure and two trooper figures plus two unit cards (sergeant and troop). The Shock TacArms are the typical TacArm design but sport the new winter camo paint scheme. It is a jagged scheme of medium gray with off-white patterning. There is also some sensor detail picked out in red, green and black. Instead of the typical backpack the STs have a G-Pack jump pack that is similar to, but larger than, the one sported by the Wing and Shock Troopers. Read the rest of this entry »
The View from the Turret 
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