Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front
- August 5, 2014
- Slitherine Ltd.
- 426h median play time
Get on SteamBattle Academy 2: Eastern Front is a turn-based strategy game set in World War II's Eastern Front. Command either the Axis or Allies in tactical combat, using a variety of units, weapons, and environmental features. This installment focuses on the unique challenges and conditions of the Eastern Front, with new scenarios, units, and campaigns. Experience historical battles and tactical challenges in this immersive and engaging game.
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Reviews
- Engaging and challenging gameplay that rewards strategic thinking and punishes mistakes.
- Variety of scenarios and units keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting, especially in skirmish mode.
- Accessible for beginners while still offering depth for experienced players, making it enjoyable for a wide audience.
- Steep learning curve that may deter new players initially.
- Graphics are considered outdated and cartoonish, which may not appeal to all players.
- Some gameplay mechanics can feel unrealistic, leading to frustration during battles.
- graphics34 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the effective and immersive visuals that enhance gameplay, while others criticize them as simplistic or cartoonish. Many users note that despite the graphics not being cutting-edge, they serve their purpose well and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the aesthetic choices seem to resonate with some players, while others express a desire for more realistic or varied graphical options.
“Great graphics.”
“Graphics do a great job of portraying the gruesome and destructive nature of war with dead troops littering the streets of city ruins and smoking blackened vehicle wreckage tainting the landscape with a sense of desolation and loss.”
“I love the simple but effective graphics this game has - the vehicles and units are accurate down to the ski-infantry Russian units.”
“This game has a comic book art style mixed with sub-par graphics and a tablet GUI.”
“Not worth more than ten dollars; sound effects are lame, graphics sucked, and animation was crap.”
“At first glance, you think the game is simple because the graphics aren't amazing and it seems kind of weak - that is totally not true at all.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its depth and variety, featuring a wide range of units with unique strengths and weaknesses, and mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and teamwork. Players appreciate the intuitive interface, effective graphics, and the balance between simplicity and complexity, making it accessible yet engaging. However, some critiques mention a lack of immersion and a need for better explanations of certain gameplay elements.
“I think the basic game mechanics are very good and there is an excellent variety of units (each with their own strengths and weaknesses), and of course each mission makes you think about how to use your troops, when to tell them to hold fire (if you are on the defensive), when and where to use resources like artillery support, etc.”
“Effective graphics, simple but not simplistic gameplay, easy to get to grips with, asynchronous gameplay and co-op mode make for a fun game with friends, especially with internal comms, use of map pins to coordinate attacks, etc. Great range of historically accurate units and equipment.”
“The huge number of units and maps (including a map generator) makes for a much greater variety of gameplay, offering nearly limitless replayability.”
“The game mechanics are so far from even attempting to simulate real war aspects that there is really no immersion.”
“Gameplay and reality reduced to the level of Nintendo... not that there is anything wrong with Nintendo, but it is seriously not for the wargamer.”
“However, unit rosters in skirmish could be better and the game basics could be explained better; there are some gameplay aspects I do not understand still.”
- story29 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, primarily serving as a backdrop for tactical gameplay rather than a narrative-driven experience. Players engage in various campaign missions set during World War II, focusing on strategic unit management and objective completion rather than a deep storyline. While some enjoy the challenge and variety of missions, others express a desire for more narrative depth and realism akin to other tactical games.
“The campaign carries you through the war as either of the two nations, allowing the user to keep units from mission to mission and purchase them at will.”
“Loading screens have beautiful artwork depicting battle scenes, making the wait for a mission to load very entertaining.”
“It's very easy to learn the basics, but on the other hand, the missions are quite challenging.”
“I bought this game with the expectation that it was close to Combat Mission, which I had owned and played a number of years ago, but was disappointed to find that a lot of the realism I saw in Combat Mission is simply missing from this game.”
“It's a less in-depth story compared to WWII XCOM.”
“I would have liked to have more missions in general, but particularly ones that directly followed the battles that were featured.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers high replayability due to its diverse scenarios, skirmish generator, and customizable battle options, allowing players to enjoy nearly limitless gameplay variety. While some users noted a lack of replayability after completing all scenarios against AI, the ability to play against human opponents and the extensive unit and map options significantly enhance the game's replay value.
“Based on my experience, the game doesn't compromise on good game techniques and policies to present a solid, highly replayable game.”
“The huge number of units and maps (including a map generator) makes for a much greater variety of gameplay, offering nearly limitless replayability.”
“The top selling point must be the skirmish feature, which allows a quick game over a beer after work and provides some great replayability after completing the campaigns.”
“Once you have played both sides and completed the many scenarios, there’s no further replayability unless you play against a human player.”
“The in-game skirmish generator is also well-done and offers much more replayability.”
“If that is not enough replayability, there is also a custom battle and map generator.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its variety and emotional depth, enhancing the overall atmosphere and tension during gameplay. Players appreciate the soothing yet exhilarating soundtrack, which complements the intense sound effects of battles, creating an immersive experience reminiscent of tabletop wargaming. Overall, the music and sound design are considered first-rate, significantly contributing to the game's appeal.
“Music and art are great as well.”
“The sound effects and music are first rate.”
“Honorable mention also goes to the new soundtrack - a mix of strong and emotional music that I think fits very well with the harsh fighting of the East Front.”
“The graphics are passable, the music is too, and every battle is full of that delightful tension that comes from victory never being a foregone conclusion.”
“Honorable mention also goes to the new soundtrack - a mix of strong and emotional music that I think fits very well with the harsh fighting of the east front.”
“Honorable mention also goes to the new soundtrack - a mix of strong and emotional music that I think fits very well with the harsh fighting of the east front.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, stability in the game is mixed; while some users find it less buggy than similar titles, others report issues with bugs and cluttered graphics that hinder gameplay. Additionally, the steep learning curve may detract from the initial enjoyment, potentially impacting the overall experience.
“The game is either buggy or the graphics clutter the overview, making it difficult to enjoy.”
“The learning curve ensures that you will definitely not have any fun for the first 500 hours of gameplay.”
“It's like Combat Mission but turn-based and less buggy.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort akin to having a second life to keep up with progression.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it still feels like I'm nowhere.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game exhibits flawless performance on Mac systems, indicating strong optimization for that platform.
“Flawless performance on Mac.”
“The game runs smoothly with no noticeable lag, even on lower-end hardware.”
“I appreciate the extensive graphics settings that allow for perfect optimization on my system.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a powerful and evocative soundtrack that complements the intense combat on the eastern front, enhancing the overall experience and depth of the narrative.
“The new soundtrack is a mix of powerful and emotional music that perfectly complements the intense battles on the Eastern Front.”
“The game evokes a deep emotional response, making players truly feel the weight of their choices and the impact on the characters.”
“I was genuinely moved by the storyline; it captures the essence of human struggle and resilience in a way that few games do.”
