SGS Battle for Stalingrad is the first game of our new SGS Battle Series, covering intense fights and battles in well know (or not) small but fighting-heavy locations ; ‘grand’ tactical’ scale for regiment, battalion, company and even platoon-size units (depending on the games) and game turns which represent a very short real period of time (one or two days, half a day, a few hours…).
One of the many particularities of the Battle series compared to other SGS relates to a unit activation system which means that not all units will necessarily be able to move and fight in a turn. This will only be possible for them if they have been activated. And depending on the battles or the episodes during them, the activation limits will be more or less important.
Stalingrad, one of the most famous and bloody battle of the Second World War seen by many as a turning point in the conflict, is depicted in this game where you can play both sides, German or Soviet ; against another player in PBEM or in hot seat, against AI.
SGS Battle for Stalingrad covers the period from September till November of 1942 (the battle as a whole extends from August 23, 1942 to February 2, 1943). That is to say before the encirclement of Stalingrad.
At the middle of November, when the game ends, the fate of German troops trapped in Stalingrad is settled. But maybe you will manage to have them seize Stalingrad before the Soviet counter-offensive (November 19 to February 2, 1943), thus complicating Moscow's plans ? Or, as a Soviet, will you perhaps hold the city more effectively, placing Germans in an even more precarious situation than the historical one when your counter-offensive comes ? Each block of the city will become the stake of a thousand battles.
The game will contain a grand campaign scenario covering the battle from September until November, as well as other (intermediate or shorter - see below) scenarios based on different starting days or limited to specific areas (Tractor Works Factory, Mamaiev Kurgan, the Last German Assault, etc…) of the battle.
The player will also find in the game historical events.
Most events generate even more immersion, sticking to a historical reality. All are carefully designed, with extensive historical research, to go beyond the game, to bring its playful dimension closer to what could be a highly interactive history book.
Scale
In this specific game, units are mostly battalion-size. They confront each other in urban and industrial areas, on both banks of the Volga and on the immediate outskirts of the city. Some "off map boxes" are also integrated to represent more distant areas (where close strategic points such as air bases are located).
Each turn is two days.
The game consists mainly of ground units and some air units. However, the latter have more of a role of support "markers" as in traditional board games or wargames than of units with fine and dedicated management. A few river units are also present to represent the Soviet craft that operated on the Volga.
All the types of units present in Stalingrad in 1942 appear in the game: armored vehicles, infantry, engineers, artillery and even a few surprises (temporary kampfgruppe, Soviet grouping with diehards, terrain elements such as fortified ruins, etc.).
Estimated Playtime: from 1h to many hours… with great replayability.
Favored Side/hardest to play: depending on the scenario played and in the campaign it can alternate, being harder for one side at one point in the game before becoming easier (and harder for the opposing side).