Playing war games brings out the best and worst of what a game can and cannot offer. Publisher Matrix Games and developer Strategic Studies Group does that with Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets. I’ve played some good games in my time, but I’ve noticed in this game, there are a number of flaws that keep it from being outstanding.

If you want to delve into the military history of this particular campaign, I suggest Googling “Kharkov 1942.” There is an excellent article on Wikipedia that highlights the military strengths of the opposing forces as well as the campaign objectives.

The game is based on the Red Army trying to retake Kharkov. The hex-based board is detailed and has the usual die roll, menus and resolution tables. This campaign was fought between May 12, 1942, and May 28, 1942. That brings the game to no more than 16 turns, but each turn requires some thought, so it makes for a long campaign. Most things are straightforward, with stacking restrictions, supply, command and control, operational zones, and the usual military symbols. For those eager to play a war game for the first time, you’ll need to know what these symbols represent.

The Russian Red Army formulated a plan to retake Kharkov during spring 1942. A secondary objective was to establish a bridgehead across the Donets River. Based on Areas of Operations, Army Groups control each area. What was not known by the Red Army was that the German forces also were planning a spring offensive in the same theater of operations.

The actual troop strengths are marked as battalion and regiments, and each octagon is represented in 4-kilometer-wide frontage. That is one area in which what is a representation in kilometers actually does not correctly show in the movement rate of the units. They can virtually travel from one end of the map to the other end in a turn.

Air units and long-range artillery are shown as off-board controls with interdiction zones being the main purpose. I’ve played a number of Strategic Studies Group games and am familiar with the rule set, but less astute players will have to reference a 166-page manual that is in PDF format. The tutorial provided requires you to either print the specific parts or forgo doing the tutorial. I had no intention of printing the entire manual, wasting paper and using expensive ink.

I liked the detailed mapping system with its turn-based strategy. The rule set is very steep and is more for the hardcore gamer. Someone just starting out would be better off with something easier. This would be on the intermediate leaning toward advanced player level. I thought the resolution tables were a bit cramped, but overall I enjoyed the historical representation and feel that Kharkov brought to the war game scene. The fluid gameplay was thought out well, resulting in smaller battles instead of one long action. The system doesn’t allow for exploitation on either side, making for a realistic, creditable combat resolution.

One of the main problems with the game is its lack of replayability. Since this is based on one campaign during World War II, there are really no other options besides playing as the Germans or the Russians. The cost versus the value is something you will have to decide on. The tutorial design was another problem. I want an automated system that gives you a basic understanding of the way the game plays. Having to read from a game manual each part of the tutorial made me want to quit the game as my interest started to flag. Reading extensive manuals really isn’t my cup of tea. I want the game to manage the minutiae while still understanding the basics. Overall, the lack of replayability will most likely keep me from keeping Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets on my computer, but I may dust it off sometime in the future when I have nothing better to do.