Fire & Maneuver
- April 19, 2023
- Targon Studios
- 100h median play time
Get on Steam"Fire & Maneuver" is a tactical wargame that simulates company-level battles during the Cold War. Players can command NATO or Soviet forces and use a variety of units, terrain, and weather conditions to gain an advantage. The game features a detailed combat system, turn-based gameplay, and historical scenarios.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and engaging turn-based strategy experience set in the Victorian era, with well-designed mechanics that emphasize tactical decision-making.
- The visuals and art style are appealing, providing a charming aesthetic that enhances the historical theme of the game.
- There is a good amount of content available, including various campaigns and factions, which allows for diverse gameplay experiences.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, making it frustrating and sometimes unplayable for many users.
- The user interface is cluttered and unintuitive, leading to confusion for new players and making it difficult to navigate menus and understand game mechanics.
- The AI is often criticized for being simplistic and predictable, which can diminish the challenge and enjoyment of the gameplay.
- graphics22 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the art style and aesthetic appeal, particularly in relation to its historical theme. However, criticisms arise regarding the lack of detail, awkward UI elements, and performance issues, which detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the visuals as a charming aspect of the game, others feel they fall short of expectations, especially in comparison to similar titles.
“The artwork and marketing is amazing.”
“Amazing musket play and mounted attack, amazing visuals and tabletop gameplay, best 1800s military strategy ever, in my opinion.”
“This game is amazing fun, graphics are beautiful to look at, gameplay is both intense and fun, and best of all... it's free!!!”
“Overall, the game is similar to many older PC wargames, like 'Wargamer: Napoleon 1813', 'Dragoon - The Complete Battles of Frederick the Great', or newer HPS simulations and Hexwar games, albeit with a short campaign and fancy visuals that ultimately hide an underwhelming game that had a lot of potential but has been abandoned because of low sales.”
“Plus, it isn't even worth 15 bucks as the graphics are okay, the mechanics are mediocre, the optimization is horrible, and on top of that, half the content is locked behind a paywall, and the campaign is pretty trash, not gonna lie.”
“For the graphics, I didn't expect Total War quality, but it could have been better; however, the UI ruins the whole thing.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and enjoyable combat, particularly within the turn-based strategy framework. However, some players find the user interface clunky and the learning curve steep, with a lack of transparency regarding game mechanics. While many appreciate the fun and depth of the gameplay, concerns about bugs, optimization issues, and content locked behind paywalls have been noted, leading to mixed opinions on overall value.
“Great gameplay and so much to do, the combat mechanics are great and this is a very fun game to play.”
“The gameplay is excellent, and that's what matters most in this type of game.”
“This game is amazing fun, graphics are beautiful to look at, gameplay is both intense and fun, and best of all... it's free!!!”
“Back to gameplay, though, visually I think that my woes stem from the clunky user interface.”
“Plus it isn't even worth 15 bucks as the graphics are okay, the mechanics are mediocre, the optimization is horrible, and on top of that, half the content is locked behind a paywall and the campaign is pretty trash, not gonna lie.”
“For some reason, taking up the entire screen with UI mechanics was thought to be a bright idea.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and freezing issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players note that there are regular patches addressing these problems, the initial release was perceived as very buggy, leading to frustration and a lack of confidence in the game's performance. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, the stability issues remain a major drawback.
“Released a buggy game then abandoned it to make another game.”
“Either it won't load or there are other problems with bugs and glitches in the game.”
“It freezes the game upon completion every time.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players frustrated by intrusive advertisements for downloadable content and the presence of microtransactions that limit access to full game content. While some enjoy the game and its mechanics, others view it as a cash grab, especially given the lack of ongoing support from the developers. Overall, opinions vary, and potential buyers are advised to consider gameplay videos before purchasing.
“When I pay a significant amount for a game, I expect to have access to all its content without needing to spend more on in-game microtransactions.”
“The monetization model is fair and allows players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend additional money.”
“I appreciate that the game offers optional purchases that enhance the experience without being necessary to progress.”
“Large parts of the selection screens are obscured by obtrusive advertisements for the game's downloadable content.”
“When I pay a bunch of money for a game, I expect to be able to play all the contents in it without having to pay more due to in-game microtransactions.”
“This game is good, and I like the time period it's set in, as well as the campaign and gameplay/battle system. However, some people might see it as a cash grab since it's no longer being supported by its developer. While I enjoy it, I recommend watching some videos to see the gameplay before buying, as your experience may vary.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the great quality of the soundtrack, others find it underwhelming and lacking detail. Overall, the art style is praised, but it does not compensate for the perceived shortcomings in the music and visual depth.
“I just started, great music, quality art style but confusing controls.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized as poor, with users reporting performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the graphics and mechanics are considered mediocre, further diminishing its value, especially given the presence of locked content and a lackluster campaign.
“Plus, it isn't even worth 15 bucks as the graphics are okay, the mechanics are mediocre, the optimization is horrible, and on top of that, half the content is locked behind a paywall. The campaign is pretty trash, not gonna lie.”
“Still a few performance issues to iron out.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from the absurdity of scenarios, such as Union cavalry defeating Confederate infantry, which users find amusing. This blend of historical context with comedic elements adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience.
“The humor in the game is spot-on, with clever writing that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that catch you off guard.”
“The witty dialogue and unexpected jokes make every interaction a delight.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, highlighting the extensive customization options that enhance the experience. However, some users have noted technical issues, such as in-game freezes, which could detract from the overall enjoyment.
“I love the replayability! There are so many cool things you can customize, and it's rare in games nowadays to have sandbox options for that perfect scenario.”
“The game offers incredible replayability with its diverse customization options, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
“Replayability is a standout feature; every time I play, I discover new strategies and combinations that keep the experience fresh.”
