Storm Across Europe

SSI, well known for its simulations of famous wars and battles, has released Storm Across Europe. This highly playable game is vast in scope. Commemorating the recent 50th anniversary of the start of World War II, it covers the entire European theater and more: west to Great Britain, east to Stalingrad, north to Norway, and south to Cairo. Each turn represents one month, so the game can last for up to 70 turns, covering the period from September 1939 to May 1945.

One, two, or three people can play Storm Across Europe. As the supreme military commander of your nation, you have control over your army, navy, and air force. The game requires a human player to take charge of the German forces, but the Allied and Soviet forces can be assigned to other people or the computer. Ideally, all three forces are commanded by real people, but the computer plays a good game. Different scenarios allow you to start the war at different times. A full game starts in the fall of 1939, but other possibilities include the spring of 1940 and the summers of 1941 through 1944. If you're interested in reenacting the fall of France, for example, you can start the game in the spring of 1940. To replay the German invasion of the Soviet Union, try the summer of 1941. To re-create D-Day, start with the summer of 1944.

Maneuvering armies is simply a matter of moving the joystick to the army, pressing the button, and selecting the option you want. You can attack neighboring areas, transfer troops, or move to a new location. You can assign air forces to strategic bombing or ground-support missions, and your navies can intercept convoys, transfer troops, and patrol the seas. Everything in this game is easily controlled.

War gamers have been hoping for a game like this ever since board games made the transition to personal computers. Storm Across Europe is easy to play, extremely educational, and a true mental challenge. Teach it to a couple of friends, and you'll enjoy an evening of exciting history.