Between 1918 and 1921, violent upheavals wracked the former Russian Empire. Communism, monarchism, nationalism, anarchism and many other -isms vied for control of the Tsar’s domains. When the war finally ended, the “Red” faction emerged victorious, but it was a hollow victory. Economic output had fallen by 96 percent compared to 1913’s figures, agriculture was down by 63 percent, and $35 billion worth of damage had been done. Millions had died; to this day no one is exactly sure how many. 

Players command infantry and cavalry armies, and for some factions fleets and aircraft. The Allied Interventionists also have a tank unit. Leaders assist these units in movement and combat, ranging in quality from Wrangel of the Whites and Trotsky of the Reds on down to the hapless Sergei Kamenev of the Reds.

As with the “Soldier” games, the map is divided into land areas and sea zones. Armies move on land, fleets at sea. Each land area is rated for the amount of money and manpower it generates each turn. Manpower represents not just fresh recruits for your forces, but also the things made with human labor: food, uniforms, weapons and so on. Money is, well, money. You expend manpower to rebuild your forces, and money to finance their actions. Thus you need to hang on to areas that generate these resources for you, and take them from the other guy.