Traces of War

Traces of War takes you to the Eastern Front from August 1943 to March 1944, just after the Battle of Kursk. The Soviets launch a major offensive, while the German troops defend and keep shifting their lines. You decide how that clash unfolds. Will the attacker break through the lines, or will the defence hold? Each turn stands for a month of fighting, and every space on the map covers twenty kilometres of key terrain. This is a game for two players who like depth, but it also works very well solo. You play with divisions and army corps, spread across two large colour maps. The rules are clear and the difficulty is not too high, so you do not need to be a seasoned commander to get into it. Expect three to six hours in which you get completely absorbed in the manoeuvres and choices. The box contains two maps, three counter sheets, a sixteen-page rulebook, a card for the solo game and two sets of player aids. Good to know: you will need to supply your own opaque cup to play. Everything else is ready for a long, exciting evening at the table.