Commander: The Great War
- July 24, 2014
- The Lordz Games Studio
- 9h median play time
Get on SteamCommander: 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.
Reviews
- The game offers a challenging and engaging strategy experience, requiring players to think critically about their moves and tactics.
- The historical context is well integrated, providing a sense of realism and immersion in World War I.
- The graphics and user interface are solid, making the game visually appealing and easy to navigate.
- The AI is often criticized for being unbalanced, with reports of it cheating or having overwhelming advantages in production and unit strength.
- The game can become repetitive after a few playthroughs, as the strategies and outcomes may not vary significantly.
- There are technical issues, including crashes and slowdowns, particularly in longer games, which can detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay25 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
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 players to engage in thoughtful decision-making, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. Although some may find the gameplay repetitive over time, it offers a rewarding experience for those interested in the historical context of World War I.
“What's interesting about this game is that the actual gameplay ironically tells you that the quick invasion of Belgium and northern France in 1914 and the stunning victories at Tannenberg and Masurian Lakes are not easily replicable.”
“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.”
“Simple but perfectly working mechanics, smooth user interface, and quite accurate simulation of trench warfare.”
“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.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
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 higher resolutions. While there are some appealing visual elements, such as unique unit designs, many reviewers feel that improvements could be made to enhance immersion and overall visual quality. Overall, the graphics are described as passable, with a mix of positive and negative feedback regarding their execution and impact on gameplay.
“The concepts it contains are wonderfully communicated via graphical changes.”
“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 graphics don't scale properly to a 1920 x 1080 screen resolution.”
“The graphics are not awful, but the developers could have done a better job.”
“The game is not good; it's boring, has terrible graphics, and it's expensive.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game is considered limited, with most players suggesting it offers only a couple of play-throughs before becoming repetitive. While the addition of new events and a multiplayer option enhances the experience, the AI's predictable maneuvers and the finite number of campaigns contribute to a lack of long-term engagement. Players recommend it for its depth but advise caution regarding its replay value, especially in solo play.
“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.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in "Commander: The Great War" is praised for its engaging soundtrack that effectively captures the time period, enhancing the overall gaming experience. While some players find the combat sound effects less fitting, the music remains a highlight, contributing to the game's enjoyable atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, 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.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting no issues with crashes or glitches, while others experience frequent crashes and significant bugs, particularly when zooming out. Overall, the game appears to have considerable stability problems for a portion of the player base.
“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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is described as evocative of its era, with a wonderfully gritty quality that enhances the overall experience.
“Atmospheric of its time, wonderfully gritty.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story centers around the player's control of Serbia, a pivotal nation in the Balkans, highlighting its role in the tragic events that sparked the Great War. This narrative approach immerses new players in the historical context from the very beginning of the game.
“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.”
