The boys at Critical Hit, Inc have been pretty busy recently, releasing both the latest issue of Critical Hit! and a new module, Jatkosota.

THE NEW LOOK

The big talking point over these new products is undoubtedly the new scenario format and counter art.

The scenario cards haven't changed much. Essentially, the scenario introduction and aftermath have been combined, and swapped places with the scenario card art, and the SSR are placed before the Orders of Battle for each side.

The counter art, on the other hand, is different. It's not so noticeable with the vehicles and guns, but the infantry and SW look different. This is particularly so with the SW, where side views are used instead of the more familiar overhead views. Don't get me wrong though, these are good counters, more than acceptable, it's just that they're not what we're had for the past 20 years of SL/ASL.

Of course, don't forget even AH has changed the counter art before - remember GI and it's three man silhouette squads? Boy did they take some getting use to!

To my knowledge, neither change has been forced on CH. They're just changing things to prevent possible problems in the future, problems that could affect their ability to get out their products.

JATKOSOTA

Jatkosota is Finnish for Continuation War, the name given to the conflict against the Russians to regain land lost in the 1939-40 Winter War. It is also the name of the new module from Critical Hit which covers the same subject in ASL.

Jatkosota is similar in format to Time On Target, being essentially a scenario pack with background newsletter. The bulk of the booklet provides an overview of the campaigns in Finland from the initial Finnish attacks on Russia in 1941 to the cease-fire in August 1944 and the subsequent clashes with the Germans as they evacuated Finland.

CH have taken advantage of their Finnish connections (editor Ray Tapio is of Finnish extraction), to gain access to much material only available in Finnish, and provide a very informative guide to the Continuation War. The booklet also contains numerous maps and photos, many of which have never been seen in an English publication before.

In addition to the historical information, there are also articles on the Estonian Volunteers, the Finns in the Waffen SS, Chapter H vehicle notes, and pieces on the ordnance and other equipment used by the Finns. There are also 35 unmounted counters (and blank counters to mount them) for Finnish equipment not yet available in the counter mix. There is also a "10-1 Tapio" counter, so Ray now has the distinction of being the only person to have two SMC bearing his name (he is also an American 8-1 in KGP II).

The only real problem with the counters is that the art isn't as crisp as that on the ToT counters. If you look closely, as you must to read a lot of the info, you can see the dots that make up the art. Strangely enough, this isn't true of the art on the scenario cards. Apparently, a new set of counters with crisper art is available free of charge, although I have not seen these yet.

Eight scenarios are included, covering all aspects of the Continuation War. None of them are your typical Finns-massacring-Russians-in-the-woods engagements, and most seem suitable for tournament play.

THE VERDICT

If you are interested in the Finns, or the war in the east, you will find Jatkosota a worthy buy. If you're not, I'd still recommend Jatkosota, as it provides a fascinating look at a neglected area of the war.

Check your local games store or contact Critical Hit directly at 88 Lodar Lane, Brewster, NY 10509. Jatkosota is $12, with postage and packing being $4.