Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2

About

"Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2" is a turn-based strategy wargame that simulates World War II's Eastern Front. It features an improved UI, enhanced AI, and a more detailed economic system compared to its predecessor. Players can command either the Axis or Allied forces, managing resources, troops, and battle tactics in a massive campaign that spans from 1941 to 1945.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2 screenshot

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 238 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

optimization2 negative mentions

Incredibly detailed and realistic simulation of the Eastern Front in WWII, offering a deep strategic experience.
Comprehensive manuals and community resources, including YouTube tutorials, make the steep learning curve manageable for new players.
The game rewards strategic thinking and planning, providing a sense of historical immersion and educational value.

The user interface is complicated and can be unintuitive, leading to frustration for new players.
Performance issues, including crashes and bugs, detract from the overall experience.
The game requires a significant time investment to learn and play effectively, which may not appeal to all players.

gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
68%
11%
The gameplay is complex and detailed, offering a steep learning curve that rewards players with hundreds of hours of engagement, particularly for those interested in historical wargaming. While the game features advanced mechanics and a rich historical context, it suffers from unclear rules and feedback in key areas, which can hinder the experience. New players may find the initial mechanics accessible, but mastering the game requires significant time investment and reliance on external tutorials.
- “Yes, the price is high, but considering it takes a couple hundred hours to get fully comfortable with the game mechanics, you should definitely get your money's worth.”
- “Just the effort that has gone into the depth of historical reference of weapons, leaders, insignias, gameplay with weather, terrain, infrastructure use and repair (railroads, airbases, logistics) is stunning.”
- “I like the game very much, but it is not for everyone; be aware that it is very complex and you'll have to read and watch a lot of tutorials before you can really understand how the gameplay works.”
- “It's a very detailed and in many ways advanced game, yet fails at basic mechanics which should really take precedence.”
- “The game does not balance gameplay or preferences between saves, so use extreme caution when reloading games at previous junctures.”
- “In particular, although the manual is over 500 pages, it says very little about the game mechanics.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews suggest that the game's story may be influenced by player choices, particularly regarding the selection of factions, such as going German, which is emphasized in tutorial videos. However, the narrative experience appears to be somewhat unclear or confusing, as players express uncertainty about how to effectively engage with the story elements.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is heavily criticized, with users reporting a poor user interface, significant performance issues, and frequent crashes.
- “Atrocious UI, severe performance issues, and frequent crashes.”
- “Atrocious UI, severe performance issues, and frequent crashes.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics are not considered a standout feature, as the game's focus lies elsewhere, suggesting that visual appeal is not a priority for the overall experience.
- “Not a graphical beauty, but that's not the point with this one.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game continues to suffer from significant stability issues, with users reporting persistent bugs and random glitches even after several years since its release.
- “Unbelievably buggy and random still after many years out.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game fosters a deep emotional connection, enhancing their overall gaming experience in a positive and fulfilling manner. This sense of connection is described as both healthy and unexpectedly uplifting.
- “To me, the game has made me feel connected to gaming in a healthy, happy way that I never thought was possible.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users consistently highlight the game's "inexhaustible replay value," indicating that it offers a wealth of content and experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “Inexhaustible replay value.”