Kulikovo 1380: The Golden Horde (2006)

About this game

"Kulikovo 1380: The Golden Horde" is a tactical wargame covering the battle between the Golden Horde clan of Mongols and the collected principalities that we know as Russia under the growing leadership of Muscovy, and the Grand Prince of Moscow, Dmitri Ivanovich, later entitled Donskoi for his victory at Kulikovo (which is right near the Don River). For 150 years, Tatar armies had readily destroyed all Russian opposition, and Kulikovo was the first sign that Russia was starting to emerge from Tatar domination. It would take several centuries more. Kulikovo is considered a major turning point/battle of the Middle Ages, in that it not only showed that a western-style, "heavy" army could defeat the Mongols, but it was also the first major step in the unification of the various Russian principalities under the leadership of Muscovy. Kulikovo is an accessible, fast-playing, fun wargame of low complexity. Gamers who have played ATO's Suleiman the Magnificent (ATO #9), and/or GMT Games’s Men Of Iron should find all of this quite familiar.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.5/5 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.