Michael Oberly wrote in message <3baaab71.31478629@news-server.columbus.rr.com>... Just received this today from Chips and Bits. This is essentially a bigger and better incarnation of the earlier Schwerpunkt games,using a windows interface rather than DOS.The interface has its quirks(for example,you really can't just click on a unit or stack to check it out or move it-you have to click while using some other key,such as 'alt',etc-also,movement is done by 'dragging'-there is no option to click on a unit,and then click on a destination hex),but it seems considerably more convenient than the interfaces of the old Schwerpunkt games.I would really like to be able to get information about a hex,such as terrain,especially,by just passing the mouse over the hex.I have also settled on using the arrow keys to scroll the map,since the 'auto-scroll' is just too jerky and irritating for me-it may be my system,but I have 256 megs of SDram. There are scenarios galore,thankfully-all of the previous games in this series can be played out with just RGW.I have only played the turtorial,which models the German race through the Crimea in '41,and the 'Drive on the Don' scenario,modeling the first 6 weeks of Operation Blau.I believe I received a C- in the tutorial and a D+ in the 'Don' scenario,playing the Germans both times,but I'll admit I have yet to read the manual.In any case,the system is similar to the older games,so it's not too hard to jump in. The game is played out not unlike the old AH classic 'Russian Campaign',with the difference of each side playing the phases sequentially(i.e.,rather than the German player taking all the phases in his turn,then the Russian player doing likewise,the German player would play his 'deployment phase',then the Russian player would play his,then each would play their 'Air Ops',etc).This can lead to some nasty surprises,as forces that were positioned for an offensive may get pre-empted by the opposing player.Initiative can also switch off from turn to turn,although I am not certain how intiative is determined.There are basically two movement/combat phases per turn,which allows one to generate 'blitzkrieg' type advances,and also allows plugging of holes with reserves,if any are available. I am happy to write that the AI seems up to the Schwerpunkt standard,being quite tricky about flanks,its own and the enemies.Email play is also supported. If some of the optional rules are used,various kinds of attacks are possible(breakthrough,capture hex,and holding attacks),as well as defenses(hold ground,normal,give ground)-these are carried over from the previous Schwerpunkt games. Air and naval units are also included,although in somewhat of an abstracted manner.Naval units can perform shore bombardment,naval supply,naval landings and withdrawals.Air units can be used,when weather allows,for interdiction,recon,airborne drops,and CAP.Note,however,that air units are only used in the first combat phase,and not the second,or exploitation,phase of a turn. Production is also included in an abstracted manner,which is good to see.Each side receives a bonus 'production' point for every three cities it controls in excess of the historical total.These points are used for replacements,and also to rebuild destroyed units.This should give each side an incentive to go for these production centers,above just for their rail facilities. I don't have time to go into any more at the moment,but one more thing that I appreciate is the higher screen resolution(800x600,I believe),which allows the player to see enough of the map that constantly zooming out isn't such a necessity.Anyway,looks like a nice piece of work,and a bit of a distraction from recent tragic world events... Mike -- Mike Oberly * Rain can't wet me, when I have my poui in my hand. * * Rain can't wet me, I advancing on the foe like a roaring lion!* Soca/Calypso fan?Check out http://www.iere.com/thebarn