ElfinWerks and Academy Games will release Conflict of Heroes: Storms of Steel! Kursk 1943, the second in their line of easy-to-learn WWII games, later this year. The previous Conflict of Heroes release, Awakening the Bear, “merges the elegance of streamlined European rules with deep strategic wargames” and has been nominated for a 2009 Origins Award (see “35th Annual Origins Awards Finalists”).

Storms of Steel! replicates the action of some of the greatest German/Soviet tank battles in World War II, with rules for German Tiger tanks, Soviet rockets and cavalry, dive-bombing air units, and more. Cards allow players to customize their units, with both advanced equipment and training to signify elite troops. Storms of Steel! comes with four new heavy-duty maps and a number of new scenarios, most of which take an hour or less to play. The game can stand alone or be combined with Awakening the Bear.

Storms of Steel! is designed with both experienced and novice wargamers in mind. Rules can be taught in just a few minutes, and the game boasts simultaneous play. MSRP is $80.