Armoured Commander II

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 393 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • replayability
Armoured Commander II Game Cover
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Armoured Commander II is a tactical wargame that simulates World War II tank combat. As a tank commander, you'll lead your crew through challenging battles, making strategic decisions and managing resources in turn-based combat. The game offers realistic armor modeling, historical campaigns, and a variety of customizable tanks from different nations. Your skills in leadership, tactical thinking, and adaptability will be tested in this immersive and demanding war simulation.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 393 reviews
graphics positive mentions
optimization negative mentions
  • Great hidden gem for fans of turn-based games and WWII tank enthusiasts.
  • Highly detailed and immersive gameplay with a wealth of campaigns and roleplay value.
  • Addictive gameplay that keeps players coming back for more, with a strong community and active developer support.
  • Frustrating RNG mechanics can lead to repeated bad luck and unexpected losses.
  • The graphics and UI may feel outdated and simplistic, which could deter some players.
  • Some mechanics and game elements can be obtuse or not clearly explained, leading to confusion.
  • graphics136 mentions

    The graphics of the game are primarily ASCII and pixelated, which may initially deter some players accustomed to modern visuals. However, many reviewers praise the minimalist art style for its charm and functionality, emphasizing that the gameplay depth and immersive experience far outweigh the simplistic graphics. Overall, while the visuals are basic and reminiscent of retro games, they effectively support the game's mechanics and narrative, making it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate gameplay over aesthetics.

    • “The graphics may be low, but the detail is deep.”
    • “Don't let the pixelated graphics scare you off; at first, I also thought that the graphics were a bit too much for my taste, but I was really wrong, and the look of the game is actually really fitting.”
    • “Once you get past the graphics, the depth and realism of the game shines through.”
    • “The graphics are minimal--and I mean minimal.”
    • “The graphics may be low but the detail is deep.”
    • “Don't be fooled by the basic petscii graphics coming from the 80s.”
  • gameplay104 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its deep mechanics and tactical depth, offering a blend of strategic and tactical elements that engage players despite its simplistic graphics. While some mechanics may initially seem opaque, the intuitive controls and extensive options for customization enhance the overall experience, making it accessible yet challenging. Players appreciate the addictive gameplay loop and the variety of campaigns, though some express concerns about RNG elements and the need for clearer mechanics.

    • “Once you wrap your head around the game mechanics, the amount of gameplay potential is awesome.”
    • “The gameplay has exceptional depth for what it looks like on the surface, and a fairly significant learning curve.”
    • “It's easy to pick up and understand; the gameplay is simple yet extremely in-depth.”
    • “This leads to a rather boring gameplay where taking risks is not rewarded.”
    • “Objectively, it has lousy sound effects, basic graphics, and a pretty simple gameplay loop that is somewhat luck-based, so I could understand why not everyone would like it, though.”
    • “Props to the dev for sticking with it for years, but despite well-made mechanics, the game is just boring.”
  • replayability20 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its personal storytelling, customizable crew development, and a vast array of playable nations and tanks. Randomly generated maps and dynamic campaigns enhance the experience, allowing players to engage in varied tactical challenges repeatedly. Overall, it offers nearly infinite replay value, making it a standout choice for fans of WWII tank combat and roguelike mechanics.

    • “Incredibly personal in its storytelling and replayable practically forever.”
    • “The option to be assigned random tanks adds a ton of replayability, as you get into the mindset of your crew by learning to flex your strengths and account for your vehicle's weaknesses.”
    • “It's a formula that works so well - turn-based wargaming makes a lot of sense for tank battles, while the roguelike implication of permadeath and ever-changing campaign maps make it insanely replayable.”
    • “Main gameplay loop could use a few more options to improve replay value through permitting more tactics, and the RNG terrain is an odd concept too.”
    • “Armoured Commander II is an early-access proud rogue-lite based around the misadventures of tank commanders during the Second World War, with every campaign, map, terrain features, objectives, units, and encounters procedurally and randomly generated, offering a significant amount of replay value.”
    • “The replayability is infinite because even the map is random.”
  • story18 mentions

    The game is praised for its exceptional story generation, allowing players to create deeply personal narratives through their tank crew's experiences in World War II. Each campaign offers a unique narrative arc, with emergent storytelling that evolves based on player decisions and character fates, making every playthrough feel meaningful and replayable. The attention to detail and variety in missions enhance the storytelling experience, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate narrative-driven gameplay.

    • “Incredibly personal in its storytelling and replayable practically forever.”
    • “Every campaign is like a narrative, and whether you make it to the end alive or not, you'll come out with a new story every time.”
    • “And that's where the magic lies, because under the colored squares and bitcrushed machine gun sounds and slick hot-keys, Armored Commander II is first and foremost a story generator.”
    • “Although it's a strategy game, the actual strategy you can implement has been fully experienced after a few missions.”
    • “As it stands from version 6.0.3, there is a lot of variety in the game in terms of settings, tanks, and different situations and missions you will find yourself in.”
    • “It also has an uncanny knack for emergent storytelling.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating and detailed design, which draws players in despite its simple ASCII graphics. Reviewers note that it creates a tense and immersive experience, often surpassing the atmospheric depth of more graphically intensive games.

    • “I never thought I could invest myself this much in an ASCII-looking game, but the atmosphere is so amazingly captivating and detailed that it doesn't let you go easily.”
    • “Conjures more atmosphere and tension with basic graphics than most games do with GPU-melting specifications.”
    • “But after a bit, it becomes intuitive, and the whole atmosphere of the game keeps you engaged.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is tense.”
    • “Conjures more atmosphere and tension with basic graphics than most games do with GPU-melting specifications.”
    • “But after a bit, it becomes intuitive, and the whole atmosphere of the game keeps you in.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally well-received, featuring a diverse and historically accurate selection of tanks across various campaigns. However, some mechanics, like the effects of fatigue and crew performance under stress, are not clearly explained, which can hinder player understanding and strategy.

    • “The tutorial and glossary are very helpful, but some mechanics, such as the impact of fatigue on performance, remain somewhat opaque.”
    • “The performance of your crew members can be affected by injury or shock.”
    • “The tutorial and glossary help a lot, but some mechanics remain rather opaque, such as fatigue's impact on performance.”
    • “The performance of your crewmen can be affected by injury or shock.”
    • “In the Poland 1939 campaign, you can play the Panzer IV, but it only has a low-velocity 75mm cannon, leading to poor performance against tanks.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from the absurdity of situations, such as the inability to pet tanks while still engaging in chaotic tank-driving antics. Players find amusement in the unexpected outcomes of their actions and the potential for creating humorous scenarios, even if the initial novelty wears off.

    • “The fact that I cannot pet the tank is upsetting; however, you can still drive a tank and then crash it because you were checking out someone else's tank and making funny memes about it in your head.”
    • “At first, you think it's funny...”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game effectively utilizes classic tropes to evoke strong emotional connections, demonstrating a significant achievement in storytelling. Players express deep emotional investment, with some experiencing profound disappointment upon losing beloved characters, highlighting the game's impactful narrative.

    • “The fact that tropes from a genre dating back to 1980 can be used for this kind of emotional resonance is a genuine achievement.”
    • “My only issue with the game is becoming emotionally invested and then being incredibly upset when I lose my favorite crew member, 'Butt Loaf.'”
  • music1 mentions

    The absence of music in the game is noted by users, but it is generally not considered a significant drawback.

    • “There is no music, but that's not a big issue.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding in the game to be intense and potentially tedious, suggesting that adjusting the animation speed can alleviate some of the monotony during battles.

    • “The game is intense, but it requires you to set your animation speed to fast; otherwise, battles become extremely tedious.”
    • “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore, making the gameplay experience drag on longer than it should.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game, turning exciting moments into monotonous tasks.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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