Game: Red Russia

Thread: Re: Has anybody received this already?

profes79 — 2008-08-22T13:45:24+00:00

One question: one friend of mine asked how many pages a rulebook includes (as he will need some translation to use it in full) before he will buy it.

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Lev Mishkin — 2008-08-19T23:34:53+00:00

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Lev Mishkin — 2008-08-19T23:30:41+00:00

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Lev Mishkin — 2008-08-19T23:22:14+00:00

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Lev Mishkin — 2008-08-19T23:18:41+00:00

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Lev Mishkin — 2008-08-13T17:55:31+00:00

Thread: Re: Quality of Components

DUMASCLUB — 2008-07-17T14:27:47+00:00

The Eurogamers need to stay away from games like this. For around $20 the components are average, although the map and the counters are quite striking. The map is typical of wargame style maps. What were expecting? A hardboard matted mapboard with glossy artistic cards and wooden pieces. There are few games out there, such as Twilight Struggle and Blackbeard and Command and Colors, which are true cross-over titles where the quality of the components is very high end but then you pay for it.

Thread: Re: Quality of Components

FrenchCrusader — 2008-07-02T15:29:18+00:00

I disagree with all the people claiming that material is bad.
Counters are nice, the map is special but I like the colors, cards are perhaps a bit "colourless" but are much better than the old soldier's king's cards...
Well it worths its money!

Thread: Re: Quality of Components

burrie — 2008-07-02T00:02:40+00:00

My counters were a little screwed up as well, so I just sent an e-mail to AP and received a new (and good) set of counters 3 days later. I do agree that the components aren't the greatest, but since I only paid $21, I can live with it. I also haven't played the game yet, so who knows maybe the gameplay is awesome.

Thread: Re: How many counters?

Comrade_Sarayev — 2008-06-26T00:57:09+00:00

I got 133 and 54 Eddie.

Thread: Quality of Components

johnnyspys — 2008-06-14T02:48:10+00:00

I have not played the game, so this is not about the game. If the game is great I will feel much better. However, I expected high quality given how it was promoted. Twenty-six dollars is not too much money but I have several quality games that have good or great components.

I hope I don’t get flamed for this but I was extremely disappointed with the quality of components for this game. First and foremost, the cards are made out of thin material of less quality than inject glossy printer paper. The backs of the cards look like they were printed on a $69 dollar inkjet printer. The colors run into each other a bit and are very dark. I could almost stomach this but the front of the cards shocked me. They are plain white with center-justified writing with no color, no graphics, no decent typesetting job. The cards look so amateur I swear this was a beta design game I was asked to play test. The counters are thin, and when I carefully punched them out, several split in half (ripped). The box is about and 1inch thick so when the counters are punched it is difficult to get them all in. There are no bags or other forms of counter storage provided. The chits have names of the unit and on the front side they are fine. However, on the backside they were poorly printed and when you punch them out, the name of the unit is cut off by around ¼ of the name or more making it difficult to read. The map reminds me of a centerfold from a rock magazine like Guitar Player, or Circus magazine, complete with crease marks where there the ink is gone. The map certainly will not last long with too many plays and it looks like it will easily rip if I am not careful.

Overall, this looked like a hack rush job and I will be very disappointed if the game isn’t any good.

Thread: How many counters?

burrie — 2008-06-02T23:46:10+00:00

The rules say 165 small (2/3") playing pieces, but the box itself says 133 small counters. I only have 133 small counters, so I guess that is the right number? Can anybody else maybe check this since my countersheet was cut in a weird angle so it is hard to tell. Also the rules say 54 playing card while the box says 60. I counted them, and i only have 54.

Thanks,

Eddie

Thread: Re: Has anybody received this already?

phormio — 2008-05-31T17:49:14+00:00

Eldard wrote:

CARDS: Standard size and cut. White face with black text, but no pictures, symbols. etc. Rather bland by today's standards.

The cards are bland for sure, but I am so grateful that they are full (playing card) size. The other components are about what I expected and I really like the look of them, especially the counters.

I've been waiting a long time for this one and I'm really eager to get to it. Unfortunately it arrived the day after Warriors of God so I'm gonna have to wait some more...

It never rains but it pours

Thread: Red Russia after a bit of play

jonb — 2008-05-26T16:57:10+00:00

My brother and I set up and played the first two turns of Red Russia and although we obviously did not play a full game or even rather extensively, so far I am happy with my purchase.
The game map background is indeed dark but it only serves to make the point to point routes stand out all that much more easily. The counters for the price paid are drop dead gorgeous and I disagree with the poster who stated that they were too big for the spaces on the map. Although they are slightly bigger than the actual space, the spaces are set wide enough apart so that I was even able to offset my stacked counters a bit to read each one in the pile without having any difficulty with crowdedness or being unable to read the routes.
The overall color mix is pleasing to my eye ( perhaps I am not the norm, I do not know ). In the turns we played the Reds had two units eliminated by the Southern Faction with Denikin involved. The Siberians had conquered two new territories. The North Asians were locked in battle with the Reds in Central Asia. The Reds had moved some units near Moscow down toward the Southern units in preparation to do battle. The Whites had played a card that allowed them to pick two red controlled spaces that would become "uncontrolled" for manpower and money purposes at the end of the turn OUCH ! The Reds had played a card that gave them extra dice and do some damage to a North/Asian faction. Overall I like the feel of the game.
Will post more as the game progresses.

Thread: Re: Has anybody received this already?

jonb — 2008-05-24T16:47:51+00:00

Eddie,I have received mine and have just set it up.
There are two numbers on each counter. The left number is the attack strength of the unit, and the right number is the defense strength of the unit,although they accidentally omitted this in the rules. The other games in the series are similar. Movement is not shown on the counters and is set for each unit. Movement is addressed in the movement section of the rulebook.
The counters are nicely sized although a bit thinner than Soldier Emperor, another game in this series by AP. The colors really pop out though and I like them. I too think the starting areas could have been color coded for game purposes, but overall I actually like the black and red map. The only bummer is that with all of those really long Russian city names the print in some boxes is a bit smaller than I would have liked. Not a game breaker by any means, but if you wear glasses to read be sure to have them available. Overall impression is that the rules ambiguities concerning activating minor powers that popped up in Soldier Kings and Soldier Emperor has been resolved nicely with the use of the foreign intervention tables and the Minor activation tables which previous games in the series did not have. The process to activate a minor seemed more complex in those previous iterations. Will post back concerning game play when that occurs.

Thread: Re: Has anybody received this already?

Eldard — 2008-05-24T02:11:35+00:00

I just bought a copy today at my FLGS, an it looks interesting.

RULES: I've skimmed the rules, and it looks interesting, but there seems to be some basic data missing. For example, the large combat unit counters have two numerals on them --- one in each upper corner. The left is probably the combat factgor, and the secodn the movement factor, but the rules have no dipictions of the game counters and their data.

Regrding completeness, I'll have to read them thoroughly and play the game.

COUNTERS: Outstanding. Large are 1" by 1"; small are .67" by .67". Great renderings. Game information well displayed.

MAP SHEET: Odd. The land mass is black, and all the area (city) boxes are red. I think the area boxes could've been color-coded to denote ownership at the beginning of the game. On the other hand, the black & red map ought to make the beautiful counters stand out well, and I value presentation of game info over aesthetics. We'll see.

DICE: 4 x d6 included. Dice are used to resolve combat.

CARDS: Standard size and cut. White face with black text, but no pictures, symbols. etc. Rather bland by today's standards.

PLAYER AIDS: 1 for each player; total 4. Contains "infighting tables"
for Reds and Whites on one side, and "One Russia Index table" on the other side.

I'm looking forward to giving this a try.

Thread: Has anybody received this already?

burrie — 2008-05-23T01:35:16+00:00

How are the components? How are the rules? What is your overall impression?
Thanks.

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Comrade_Sarayev — 2008-05-13T05:59:27+00:00

The Red Fleet in RR (it won't last long!)

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Comrade_Sarayev — 2008-05-13T05:58:37+00:00

The Polish Air Force in Red Russia

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2008-05-12T15:12:36+00:00

I would not presume to answer for the designer but at least according to Avalanche Press' website, Red Russia's system is based on Avalanche's own Soldier Kings. I'm afraid I do not know if it is related to the earlier GDW game, though there are some similarities in the 2 systems (PtP movement, no actual CRT, for example).

Likewise they say it is indeed supposed to begin shipping this week

Thread: Re: Any info?

Herr Dr — 2008-05-12T14:45:40+00:00

Asked this on consim also - Does Red Russia use the Soldier King (GDW) system? http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/4794 Related, is the Soldier Kings http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2997 game also based on Soldier King? Just curious.

I think the game is now available:

http://www.avalanchepress.com/gameRedRussia.php

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2008-04-24T14:01:45+00:00

Comrade_Sarayev wrote:
Final rules edit being proofed even as I type

Forgive my ignorance Comrade, but this sounds like something will need to go (back?) to the printer..., and that "April" is right out?

Thread: Re: Any info?

Comrade_Sarayev — 2008-04-24T06:33:13+00:00

Final rules edit being proofed even as I type

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2008-04-10T03:14:05+00:00

In case anyone (besides me) is still interested, as of 04/09/08 the Avalanche website lists Red Russia as:

"Status: Arriving, due April 2008"

Мы увидим

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Comrade_Sarayev — 2008-04-03T05:40:57+00:00

updated counter art

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2008-03-25T15:55:56+00:00

Perhaps they are delaying release until International Workers' Day (May Day)?

Thread: Re: Any info?

Comrade_Sarayev — 2008-03-20T04:26:54+00:00

It is really, really starting to get depressing

Maybe I can blame it on a Capitalist Plot or something

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2008-01-19T00:21:36+00:00

Thank you (very much) for the information Comrade.

I wasn't really trying to sound so snarky, the anticipatory frustration just seeped through

Edit(Feb 26th): - The due date has in fact slipped to "March 2008" according to Avalanche's website...

Thread: Re: Any info?

Comrade_Sarayev — 2008-01-18T22:08:15+00:00

phormio wrote:
For whatever reason (and Avalanche doesn't say), the due date has slipped (again) to "February 2008". I imagine it will become "March 2008" in late January, and so on...

Eh. C'est la vie, pour le joueur qui a pré-commandes. Surtout lorsque ce jeu est concerné.

Triumph of Chaos is a work of gaming art. However (for me) it's just too dense, too complex, too chrome-heavy ("fiddly"), and just too long to ever get much play at my house. That's why I was hoping for a game like Red Russia, something lighter, but mostly shorter. Something that could be set up, played to a conclusion and put away in one evening..., ToC is not that game. Reds!, though much less complex, is still just too long. That's why I was hoping to see RR (in my lifetime) because I'm really fascinated by the Russian Civil War. I just don't want a game on it that lasts as long as the actual conflict...

phormio

An upgrade to the cards was one of the reasons for the delay from 09/07 to 02/08. An improvement on the Soldier Raj version, which in turn was light years ahead of the ones featured in Soldier Kings/Emperor. We are all hoding our breath but it should be out in a few weeks.

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2007-12-28T22:03:34+00:00

For whatever reason (and Avalanche doesn't say), the due date has slipped (again) to "February 2008". I imagine it will become "March 2008" in late January, and so on...

Eh. C'est la vie, pour le joueur qui a pré-commandes. Surtout lorsque ce jeu est concerné.

Triumph of Chaos is a work of gaming art. However (for me) it's just too dense, too complex, too chrome-heavy ("fiddly"), and just too long to ever get much play at my house. That's why I was hoping for a game like Red Russia, something lighter, but mostly shorter. Something that could be set up, played to a conclusion and put away in one evening..., ToC is not that game. Reds!, though much less complex, is still just too long. That's why I was hoping to see RR (in my lifetime) because I'm really fascinated by the Russian Civil War. I just don't want a game on it that lasts as long as the actual conflict...

Thread: Re: Any info?

decius — 2007-12-28T11:16:22+00:00

Unfortunately for me, Card-driven games are very fun, but I still prefer classical games.

That's why I continue waiting for Red Russia, although the map seems to be particularly awful. Maybe the delay is caused by AP trying to improve it ?

Thread: Re: Any info?

DorianGray — 2007-10-30T19:15:52+00:00

Why even bother getting this game? AP has been unreliable with a lot of their games. Solider Kings has such fiddy rules and its game map graphics were disappointing. If they even have to mention it might be like "risk-like" I personally even run run away.

GET Triumph of Chaos, it is a much deeper and fuller game. Now with the guide there are even more options. Triumph of Chaos is the successor to PoG set in the Russian Civil War, trust me this game isn't going to have anything on ToC.

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2007-10-25T22:31:56+00:00

Good questions all. I'm afraid I have no answers for you (or me), and Avalanche Press' website now lists the availability as "due December 2007".

Personally, I give up. It would be nice to have "Red Russia" before the end of the year, but I am not holding my breath.

I cannot remember where I read this, but I believe they are having some sort of problem getting the components through customs, or something to that effect. But don't quote me...

Thread: Re: Any info?

Salo sila — 2007-10-14T08:20:05+00:00

And some more questions: what's downtime like? is there much to do during other players' turns? how realistic is the 4 hour time scale?

Thread: Re: Any info?

Salo sila — 2007-10-14T07:52:23+00:00

Oh, I've just though of a couple more questions: which minor factions are included? what specialised units are there? (does the game include Makhno's Tatchankas, armoured trains and/or river flotillas?)

Thread: Re: Any info?

Salo sila — 2007-10-14T07:49:34+00:00

For a game ‘printed last month’ there seems to be very little information on Red Russia. I’m definitely interested due to my historical interest in the Russian Civil War. However, the game system on which it is based doesn’t seem to be very highly rated here on BGG. Before I order/pre-order there are some things I’d like to know:
• how are the random events dealt with, and how much do they affect the outcome of the game?
• how are the minor powers dealt with? Do they just switch sides according to the random events, or can you woo them by following a particular policy?
• how is conflict between the 3 White Russian players created? (i.e. how are they prevented from coordinating their efforts against Red in an unhistorical manner?)
• how does the game scale down for 2 or 3 players? (and related to the previous question, how is the conflict between the different White factions simulated when one player controls all of them?)
• how balanced is the game? (i.e. are the Whites just trying to stall a Red victory, as in Raicer’s Reds!, or does the game really permit a White victory as in Triumph of Chaos?)

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Comrade_Sarayev — 2007-10-13T04:59:43+00:00

Mapsheet

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2007-09-21T04:37:21+00:00

Avalanche has posted some map images along with a bit of graphic designer commentary here:

http://www.avalanchepress.com/Red_Russia_Map.php

Likewise for the counter art:

http://www.avalanchepress.com/Red_Russia_Counters.php

Personal tastes are subjective of course, but I like what I see. I just wish the game would ship..., September is waning and still no Red Russia.

Thread: Re: Any info?

decius — 2007-09-09T09:27:13+00:00

i would like to see the map of this game before preordering it (Graphism of the maps of the AP games are very often disappointing).
Is it possible to have it anywhere on the internet ?

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2007-08-09T19:37:23+00:00

According to an email I recieved a day or 2 ago (not a personal email, I'm on their mailing list), RED RUSSIA is off to the printer and due out next month (September).

That is also what their website information for the game says now. In addition they've also posted a preview/overview here:

http://www.avalanchepress.com/Red_Russia_Preview.php

Thread: Re: Any info?

phormio — 2007-07-05T09:23:56+00:00

I'm afraid I can't answer your comparison question, but according to the Avalanche Press website it is "at press" and due out this month (July).

I'm really intrigued by this game and I've pre-ordered it (ThoughtHammer).

UPDATE 07/23/07: I just emailed Avalanche about RED RUSSIA and it appears as though the release will be pushed back to late August or early September. Their graphic designer had to go out on medical leave, but the game is very nearly done.

Thread: Any info?

grimstuff — 2007-07-04T03:25:50+00:00

Does anyone know anything about this game? Any play-testers out there? How will it compare with Soldier Kings (the game system it's based on)?

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Comrade_Sarayev — 2007-04-11T00:25:50+00:00

Cover of Red Russia