Crimson Banner: War of Liberation

Crimson Banner: War of Liberation puts you in command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, campaigning across East China against a formidable enemy. From self-defence against Nationalist diehards in the hills south of the Yangtze, to seven battles and seven victories on the plains of Central Jiangsu, and onward to Lunan, Laiwu and Menglianggu, put your command skills to the test! Find your opportunity amid massed enemy advances, break their encirclement through swift manoeuvre, and concentrate superior forces to destroy them one by one!
The base game includes more than 60 scenarios covering the Menglianggu Campaign and earlier campaigns in East China, offering at least 30 hours of sequential scenario play: thwart the joint schemes of Japanese, collaborationist and Nationalist diehard forces in the Tianmu Mountains, then clear out Japanese and collaborationist troops who refuse to surrender after victory in the War of Resistance; withstand overwhelming enemy advances at Lianghuai and Lianshui, then strike fear into the enemy with successive victories in Central Jiangsu, Subei and Lunan; smash the enemy's converging north–south offensive at Laiwu, and finally reach Menglianggu, striking at the heart of a vast enemy army to annihilate the 74th Reorganized Division, foremost among the Nationalists' Five Elite Formations. Assaults, holding actions, long-range raids and breakouts will all test your battlefield judgement.
Other theatres—Northeast China, North China, the Central Plains, Northwest China and more—and related later campaigns will be released separately as DLC.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

The gameplay framework draws on the excellent introductory wargame series Unity of Command 2, with extensive adaptation and improvements. If you seek historical authenticity and demanding strategy, this game, born of a Chinese perspective, is made for you!

Chinese Perspective – A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire

For the first time in a strategy wargame released on Steam, experience the sweeping drama of China's People's War of Liberation. Rally millions of workers and peasants, and sweep the decadent Kuomintang reactionaries into the dustbin of history!

Infantry Art – Besiege the Enemy to Strike at His Reinforcements, Long-Range Raids

Command the finest light infantry force in human history, making full use of its flexible mobility and dauntless fighting spirit. Draw the enemy out, infiltrate and divide its forces, and concentrate superior strength where it matters. Encircle the enemy—and hold off its reinforcements. Open a breach—and seize the moment. Keep the enemy torn between competing threats, and commit your forces where they will decide the battle! Though your equipment may be inferior and your numbers no greater, the initiative is still yours to fight for!

Progression System – Equip Yourself by Capturing Enemy Supplies

Throughout the long war, the soldiers you command will grow stronger with every battle. Defeat the enemy to capture its equipment and absorb liberated soldiers who have turned from darkness to light. Train inexperienced recruits into battle-hardened elites, and make them a vital force in the struggle to liberate all of China.

Irreversible Decisions – Decisive Command, No Regrets

Every attack and every route of march can change the battle. Some actions can be undone; once you engage in combat, uncover new enemy intelligence or take similar actions, you must bear the consequences of your decisions. Knowing when to probe and when to commit your main force, even with incomplete intelligence, is part of the art of command.

Logistics & Supply – Ammunition Before Cannon, Food Before March

Victory at the front also depends on the roads and transport behind it. Protect your supplies to keep your troops fighting; infiltrate the enemy's rear and sever its supply lines, gradually undermining even the strongest positions. One more step forward may seize a chance to destroy the enemy—or expose your own supply lines to attack!

Fog of War – All Warfare is Based on Deception

You cannot survey the entire battlefield from a god's-eye view. Reconnaissance, probing and judgement will help you make sense of limited intelligence, while ambushes in the woods and unseen reinforcements may upset your plans. The enemy is also bound by the fog of war—conceal your movements, and have it encircled before it realises what you are doing!

A Clever AI – Lurking Danger, Striking at Every Opening

The enemy acts on the intelligence it has gathered, seeking opportunities in your deployment. Weak logistics, scattered forces and exposed flanks may all invite a counterattack. History can offer ideas, but you must judge the battlefield yourself: where should you hold firm, when must you move, and how can you turn the enemy's offensive into your own opportunity?

雄关漫道真如铁，而今迈步从头越。

——毛泽东《忆秦娥·娄山关》