# Red Winter: The Soviet Attack at Tolvajärvi, Finland – 8-12 December 1939

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2012
- **BGG Rating**: 7.9
- **BGG Rank**: #3668
- **Players**: 2 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 20-720 min
- **Weight**: 2.97 / 5
- **Designers**: Mark Mokszycki
- **Artists**: Charles Kibler, Lee Brimmicombe-Wood, Mark Mahaffey, Rodger B. MacGowan
- **Publishers**: GMT Games, Kokusai-Tsushin Co., Ltd. (国際通信社)
- **Categories**: Wargame, World War II
- **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, Movement Points, Simulation

## Verdict
If you enjoy historical wargames that focus on playability and don't take a whole weekend, Red Winter is a sure bet! The Battle of Tolvajärvi is portrayed accessibly, yet with tactical depth.Engaging historical battleAgile and fast gameplayConcise and clear rulesEasy-to-handle componentsHigh language dependencyHarsh weather simulationCompany scale might lack detailHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Brace yourself for the winter of 1939! The Soviet Union has invaded Finland, and in an epic David vs. Goliath clash, the Finns, with their bravery and guerrilla tactics in the snowy forests and frozen lakes, attempt to halt the overwhelming advance of the Red Army. In Red Winter, you take command of one side in this historical battle at Tolvajärvi, a crucial region for the defense of the Mannerheim Line.

This two-player wargame puts you in the shoes of commanders who must manage company-sized units, such as ski infantry, heavy machine guns, mortars, tanks, and anti-tank guns. The scale is impressive, with each turn representing 90 minutes of intense combat and the map covering an area of approximately 425 yards per hex. The fight is desperate, waged across a bleak landscape of forests, swamps, and frozen lakes, where extreme cold is also an enemy to be fought.

Red Winter combines classic wargame mechanics with innovative systems for ranged attacks, unit recovery, night raids, and the impact of harsh weather. The design focuses on agile gameplay: concise rules, low counter density, and generously sized components (5/8-inch counters and large hexes) ensure your turn is quick, allowing the full 40-turn campaign to be played in a single afternoon. It's an invitation to relive a crucial moment of the Winter War with depth and accessibility.

## FAQ
### What is the average playtime for a full campaign?
A full 40-turn campaign can be played in a single afternoon, typically between 4 to 6 hours, depending on player experience.

### How many players can play?
Red Winter is exclusively a two-player game, with one player controlling the Finns and the other the Soviets.

### Is the game very complex? Is it good for wargame beginners?
The complexity is considered moderate (2.96/5 on BGG). The rules are concise and the design focuses on playability, making it more accessible than many traditional wargames, serving as a good entry point to the genre.

### Do I need to be able to read English to play?
Yes, the game has a high language dependency. Cards, some charts, and references on the board require reading in English to be understood and used.

### What types of units will I control?
You will command company-sized units, including Finnish ski infantry, Russian heavy machine guns, mortars, tanks, and anti-tank guns, among others.

### What makes this game different from other World War II wargames?
It focuses on a specific and lesser-known battle of the Winter War, with a company-level unit scale and mechanics that simulate the extreme conditions of the Finnish winter and night raid tactics.