Zvezda has released Hot War: Battle for Oil, an alternate history war game using the Art of Tactic play system, which was previously used for the company’s Origins Award-winning Samurai Battles (see "'Samurai Battles'--Two Games in One Box").
 
Much like Zvezda’s World War II war games (see, for example, "'Tank Combat'"), players take the role of battlefield commanders for either the United States or Soviet Union, in charge of tanks, infantry, helicopters, and armored vehicles.  In this "what if" scenario, the Cold War expanded worldwide; and in 1990, the Arab East has erupted in a "Hot War," in which the Soviets come to aide their Arab allies against the Americans.
 
This starter set contains 14 complete plastic unit model kits based on actual equipment (some assembly required), 6 double-sided game boards, 30 terrain hexes, plastic elevation tiles, unit cards, dice, water-based markers, decals, game rules, and scenario booklet.  MSRP is $69.95.
 
The game offers good replay value, as the modular game board (combined with terrain and elevation tiles) allows for variety in battlefield scenarios.  Zvezda will expand on the core scenarios included in the box by periodically posting new scenarios online and in game-related magazines.
 
The starter set can also be expanded with a line of 40-piece Hot War mini kits, which are sold separately.  Currently there are eight kits, four Soviet (T-72B Main Battle Tank, BTR-80 Personnel Carrier, MI-24V "Hind" Attack Helicopter, and Motorized Infantry), and four U.S. (M1A1 "Abrams" Main Battle Tank, M2A2 "Bradley" Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Motorized Infantry, and AH-64 "Apache" Attack Helicopter).  Retail on the individual kits ranges from $4.50 - $11.50.