Publisher/Date:
Critical Hit (2000)
Product Type:
Periodical
Country of Origin:
U.S.A.
Contents:
Original Magazine: 30-page magazine; 12 scenarios and 2 Platoon Leader campaign games (for Stonne 1940) on cardstock.
2014 Reprint Version: As above, with different cover.
2016 Reprint Version: 32-page (color) magazine; 12 scenarios and 2 Platoon Leader campaign games (for Stonne 1940), all included as pages of the magazine, 1 overlay (V40).
Commentary:General information on Critical Hit Magazine can be found here.
The shortest Critical Hit Magazine issue of all, there is not much to speak about here.
The issue does include two Platoon Leader campaign games, CGII (The Crusher) and CGIII (Inferno of Steel), for Stonne 1940, as well as analyses of the Stonne 1940 scenarios by Scott Holst. It also includes Stonne #7 (Down on the Streets) and Stonne #8 (Shattered Lines), two more scenarios for Stonne 1940.
For the first time in a long time, the scenarios were included on cardstock instead of being part of the magazine.
The scenarios included in this issue have not been played very much. In addition to the two France 1940 “Stonne” scenarios, the mix of actions include France 1940 (French vs. Germans, British vs. Germans [2]); Belgium 1940 (French vs. Germans [2], Belgians vs. Germans); Germany 1944 (Soviets vs. Germans), Poland 1939 (Poles vs. Germans); Hong Kong 1941 (British vs. Japanese); and Norway 1940 (Norwegians vs. Germans).
CH173 (Assault on Fornebu) is a Glider landing.
By this time, Critical Hit had released a number of fairly disappointing issues in a row and there were fewer people even willing to give their scenarios a try. However, most of the scenarios here are tournament-sized, many are designed by well-known designers, and quite a few seem to portray interesting situations, so there may be some “lost treasures” among the scenarios in this issue. It will also appeal to France 1940 devotees.
In 2014, Critical Hit reprinted this issue of its magazine with a different front and back cover but otherwise seemingly unchanged.
2016 Reprint Comments: In 2016, Critical Hit reprinted this issue of Critical Hit Magazine in a substantially different format, thanks to Critical Hit’s business model, which is dependent on Critical Hit constantly recycling and re-releasing its entire product line (because it does not generate enough new product to pay the bills, as most non-part-time wargame companies do). This version is dubbed “CH Annual Style CH 6-2,” which is fairly incomprehensible to someone who has not seen Critical Hit Magazine before–and maybe if they have. This issue was probably chosen to be reprinted because CH released a new edition of Stonne 1940 at the same time.
This version of the magazine is a 32-page color magazine (seemingly print-on-demand). The scenarios and campaign games are no longer included as cardstock inserts but are actually merely pages of the magazine and must be cut out, scanned, or photocopied in order to be used–very irritating and a major step backwards. The one good thing is the color campaign game pages. The content is mostly the same, with odd minor alterations by Ray Tapio. There is no reason for anyone to buy this who has an earlier edition (especially at $39.95!).
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