Armoured Commander II

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 417 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 417 reviews
graphics27 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Engaging and immersive gameplay that captures the tension of tank warfare in WWII.
  • Deep mechanics with a variety of tanks and campaigns, allowing for high replayability.
  • Responsive developer who actively updates the game and listens to community feedback.
  • Graphics are simplistic and may deter some players who prefer modern visuals.
  • The user interface can be clunky and requires a learning curve to navigate effectively.
  • RNG can lead to frustrating moments where players feel unfairly punished by luck.
  • graphics140 mentions

    The graphics of the game are primarily ASCII and pixelated, which may initially deter some players accustomed to modern visuals. However, many reviewers appreciate the minimalist style, noting that it enhances the gameplay experience by allowing players to engage their imagination and focus on the game's depth and mechanics. Overall, while the graphics are basic and reminiscent of older games, they are functional and contribute to the game's charm, making it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize gameplay over visuals.

    • “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.”
    • “The graphics and sound remind me of my days playing SSI games on my Apple II+, but the engine that runs this is good enough for any grognard out there.”
    • “The graphics are very primitive but the mechanics are very well developed.”
    • “The graphics may be low but the detail is deep.”
    • “The graphics and sound design are endearing, but reminiscent of graphics 30+ years ago.”
  • gameplay110 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a simple yet addictive loop that keeps players engaged for hours, featuring a mix of strategic and tactical elements that require understanding of mechanics and risk management. While the graphics are basic, the depth of mechanics and variety of vehicles provide a rich experience, appealing particularly to fans of WWII tank warfare. However, some players note that certain mechanics can be opaque, and the reliance on RNG may lead to frustration, though the overall gameplay is praised for its depth and replayability.

    • “The gameplay loop is simple but it really grips you, and you lose hours.”
    • “Once you wrap your head around the game mechanics, the amount of gameplay potential is awesome.”
    • “Gameplay is fun and well worth the price.”
    • “If the numbers are real, then there must be some form of mechanic that is obtuse or hidden to the player.”
    • “This leads to a rather boring gameplay where taking risks is not rewarded.”
    • “The only criticism is that a few mechanics (like line of sight) take some time to get the hang of, but reading the manual usually clears up all questions.”
  • replayability20 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its dynamic storytelling, customizable crew development, and a vast array of playable nations and tanks. Randomly generated maps and campaigns enhance the experience, allowing for infinite variations in gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of tactical depth and roguelike elements, making it suitable for both short sessions and extended play.

    • “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.”
  • story19 mentions

    The game excels as a personal story generator, allowing players to create unique narratives through their tank crews and missions, reminiscent of classic war games. Each campaign offers a blend of emergent storytelling and strategic gameplay, where the survival of characters adds depth to the experience. With a variety of settings and mission options, players can expect a new story with every run, making it highly replayable and engaging for fans of World War II themes.

    • “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.”
    • “Although it's a strategy game, the actual strategy you can implement has been fully experienced after a few missions.”
    • “It feels like a tank story generator and the more you get into thinking of your troops as characters, the more fun you will have.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating and detailed design, which effectively 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, it doesn't let you go easily.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is tense.”
    • “Conjures more atmosphere and tension with basic graphics than most games do with GPU-melting specifications.”
  • 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 fatigue and crew performance under stress, are not clearly explained, which can hinder player understanding and strategy.

    • “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 bad 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, 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 create a strong emotional connection, allowing players to become deeply invested in the narrative and characters. However, this emotional engagement can lead to significant distress, particularly when players experience the loss of beloved characters, such as "butt loaf."

    • “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 aspect of the game to be intense and potentially tedious, especially if animation speed is not adjusted to fast, which can significantly enhance the experience.

    • “Intense game, much more than meets the eye; just set your animation speed to fast or battles become very tedious.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and often detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the game feel more like a chore than fun.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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