The East is Red: The Sino Soviet War (1974)

About this game

Strategy & Tactics magazine #42. The East is Red is a simulation on a strategic/operational level of a possible attempt by Soviet forces to invade and occupy Manchuria and North China sometime in the 1970s. Within the theatre of operations it is assumed that tactical nuclear weapons and atomic demolitions will be used. The game is played with variants of two basic scenarios. The M-1 scenario variants postulate a hasty Soviet attack into China and the M-30 variants describe a later stronger attack. Variant counters, rules and scenarios were published in Strategy & Tactics magazine #226 - Jan/Feb 2005.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.6/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.