Commander: The Great War

About

Commander: The Great War is a turn-based strategy game set in World War I. Players can control any nation involved in the war, managing resources, technology, and military units. The game features historical accuracy, detailed graphics, and a variety of scenarios, making it a must-play for strategy enthusiasts.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 337 reviews

gameplay14 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

The game offers a challenging and engaging strategy experience, requiring players to think critically about their moves and tactics.
It provides a good representation of World War I, with a focus on trench warfare and the management of resources and troop movements.
The game has a solid interface and is relatively easy to learn, making it accessible for both new and experienced players.

The AI is often criticized for being unbalanced, with many players feeling it cheats or has an unfair advantage in troop production and strength.
There are significant stability issues, with frequent crashes and slowdowns, especially during AI turns.
The game lacks depth in certain areas, such as diplomacy and unit variety, which can lead to repetitive gameplay after several playthroughs.

gameplay
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
8%
The gameplay of "The Great War" is characterized by its strategic depth and reliance on careful planning, making it accessible yet challenging for both novices and experienced players. While the mechanics are straightforward and intuitive, they require a significant investment of time to master, particularly in multiplayer settings where tactical decisions are crucial. Players may find the gameplay repetitive after a while, but those interested in the historical context will appreciate the engaging and balanced experience it offers.
- “The gameplay will cause front lines to naturally develop, and finding ways to break through or bypass these lines is key to advancing.”
- “The gameplay itself requires more thinking than actions; you will ask yourself many questions such as 'Should I move up that extra hex?' and 'Should I divert troops to flank around and leave my front open?' These questions force you to really think about the actions you take.”
- “However, this can be an extremely addictive game once you have given enough time for the mechanics to become sufficiently intuitive.”
- “After only an hour of gameplay, I can see this game is not something you just jump into and pick right up.”
- “What I don't want to do is spend hours reading manuals, guides, and trial and error gameplay.”
- “But after a few games, the gameplay might get a bit repetitive.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
50%
13%
The graphics in the game are generally considered solid but not exceptional, with some users noting that they are appropriate for the genre yet lack high-end detail and proper scaling for 1920 x 1080 resolution. While there are some appealing elements, such as unique unit designs and a well-designed UI, many reviewers feel that the visuals could be improved to enhance immersion. Overall, the graphics are described as passable, with a mix of positive and negative feedback regarding their quality and impact on gameplay.
- “In my opinion, beautiful graphics contribute a lot to immersion.”
- “The graphics are nothing too impressive, but there are some nice bits of flavor like how the unit cards display each nation's unique uniforms and the changes they experience as you progress in tech (picklehaubes to stalhelms for instance).”
- “The UI is fairly intuitive and well-designed (which already places it in a league far above most other 'grognard' games), the graphics are solid, the AI is competent, and the pacing of the game is really genius.”
- “The graphics don't scale properly to a 1920 x 1080 screen resolution.”
- “The game is not good; it's boring, has terrible graphics, and it's expensive.”
- “The graphics are not awful, but the developers could have done a better job.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
67%
17%
Replayability for the game is generally viewed as limited, with most players enjoying around two playthroughs per side before the experience feels repetitive. While new events and multiplayer options add some depth and variety, the AI's predictable historical maneuvers and the lack of diverse maps and factions restrict solo replay value. Overall, it garners a mixed reception, with some players appreciating its depth while others find it falls short in long-term engagement.
- “New events added flavor and replayability to the repetition; Potzblitz gives us the what-if and for want of a nail moments that hindsight deprives us of.”
- “I overall enjoy the game and there are numerous reasons to love Commander: The Great War as well, such as it allows for some modest replay value.”
- “Commander: The Great War is an exceptional World War I tile-based strategy game with an extraordinary amount of depth and replayability.”
- “Good for 2 play-throughs per side, then of no real replay value.”
- “It doesn't have much replay value though I mean after playing with both sides.”
- “Also, the replayability factor is somewhat limited as the AI always pulls the same historic maneuvers (Germans implement the Schlieffen Plan in 1914, Russians launch offensives against East Prussia and Galicia, Allies land at Gallipoli in 1915, etc.) but the multiplayer option lifts the game from the plains of mediocrity to the heights of a very good grand strategy.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
30%
10%
The music in "Commander: The Great War" is praised for its unique and engaging soundtrack that effectively captures the time period, enhancing the overall gaming experience. While some players find the combat sound effects less fitting, the soundtrack remains enjoyable and memorable, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, with many players expressing a desire to listen to it repeatedly.
- “The game's music soundtrack is pretty good and captures the time period.”
- “Good soundtrack; I could keep hearing it forever and never get bored.”
- “In-game interface, town & officers' photos, events along with sound effects and music deserve special attention - all of this provides you with a nice experience.”
- “The music is okay, but some of the combat noises are kind of strange rather than warlike.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is highly inconsistent, with some users reporting no issues with crashes or glitches, while others experience frequent crashes and significant bugs, particularly when zooming out. Overall, the feedback indicates a divide between stable performance and severe instability.
- “The game concept is great, but it's way too buggy for me; it keeps crashing at random points when you zoom out!”
- “Terribly unstable, buggy piece of garbage.”
- “The game is plagued with crashes and glitches that ruin the experience.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is described as wonderfully gritty and reflective of its time, creating a compelling and immersive experience for players.
- “Atmospheric of its time, wonderfully gritty.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story centers around the player's control of Serbia, a pivotal nation in the Balkans, highlighting its significant role in the tragic events that sparked the Great War. This narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the historical context and consequences of the conflict.
- “As a new player, you're given control of the Entente, and on turn 1 you have direct control of only Serbia, a small but compact nation in the Balkans where the whole tragic story of the Great War started.”