Defiant Russia isn't a very large game. The map is 17x22 inches, and fits easily on a small table. There are 140 playing pieces, and it comes in a small box that's easy to store. The game plays very quickly, concluding in about 90 minutes, with a minimum of charts and tables to consult. It's suitable for ages 10 and up.

The actual campaign took place in 1941, when Nazi armies and their accomplices launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Union. The Soviets reeled back at first, then fought to defend Mother Russia with ferocious determination. Eventually they would march into the ruins of Berlin and bring an end to Hitler's evil regime. The game covers the first vital months of this campaign, when the Germans tried to capture Moscow but failed. The Axis player must try to do better than this, while the Soviet player must defend both Moscow and the other key Soviet cities.

Avalanche Press APL0027