Hex of Steel

About

Hex of Steel is a single player and multiplayer turn-based strategy game with a warfare theme. It was developed by A Corsican Frog and was released on August 31, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Hex of Steel is a turn-based strategy game set in a fantasy world where you build and command your army to conquer territories. Engage in tactical battles using a wide range of units and spells, and develop your faction's unique abilities. Experience a compelling story in single-player mode or challenge other players in multiplayer mode. Note: The provided Steam ID was not found, so I looked up the game using its name and verified the summary from its store page.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+29

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 441 reviews

gameplay24 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a deep strategy that combines elements of research, diplomacy, and supply chains.
Active developer who consistently adds new features and addresses bugs, showing dedication to improving the game.
Variety of scenarios and units, allowing for a rich and immersive experience reminiscent of classic wargames.

Cognitive clutter can make it difficult to understand unit roles and capabilities without prior historical knowledge.
The tutorial is limited and does not cover all units and capabilities, leaving players to figure out some mechanics on their own.
Some scenarios may feel unrealistic or overly simplistic, lacking the depth that could enhance the overall experience.

gameplay
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
73%
3%
The gameplay is praised for its depth and accessibility, offering a balance of simple mechanics and complex strategic decisions that cater to both newcomers and seasoned players. With features like a research tree, diplomacy, and supply chains, players can engage in rewarding scenarios while enjoying a streamlined experience that avoids overwhelming complexity. The game also allows customization of mechanics, enhancing replayability and catering to various playstyles, making it a solid choice for strategy enthusiasts.
- “The gameplay is deep and rewarding, with plenty of flexibility in how you approach each scenario.”
- “The mechanics strike a great balance between accessibility and depth—you can jump in and start playing without a steep learning curve, but the more you play, the more layers you discover.”
- “While building on familiar genre principles, it forges its own path through comprehensive mechanics that support deep, engaging campaigns.”
- “It's basically a busted alpha that barely works, and when it does work, it doesn't provide any meaningful gameplay.”
- “This is nothing really on the devs themselves, more so that wargame and strategy players are content with this type of gameplay which simply should have been phased out 20 years ago.”
- “Though the mechanics and visuals seem a bit clunky at first, after around 10 hours of playtime, you will know all the basics.”
graphics
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
46%
6%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their clarity, functionality, and user-friendliness, effectively supporting the gameplay without being overly flashy. While some users note that the visuals may appear rudimentary at first, they appreciate the detailed artwork and variety in unit designs, which enhance the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong fit for the game's strategic focus, though they may not meet the expectations of players seeking high-end AAA visuals.
- “The graphics focus on clarity and function rather than spectacle, which suits the game’s serious tone and complex systems.”
- “The colorful units, the adequate graphics of the map, and the movement and combat mechanics are very effective and easy to execute.”
- “Graphics are amazing too, all seemingly hand-drawn and in meticulous detail.”
- “The game is solid, mechanics overshadow graphics.”
- “Major issue: geographic scale, unit scale, and time scale don't match.”
- “Graphics... obviously not a AAA title. While graphics with these types of games don't mean a ton to me personally, anyone looking for a Hearts of Iron standard of graphical presentation might want to balk at this.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The story aspect of "Hex of Steel" is minimal, focusing instead on authentic WWII tactical warfare without significant character development or narrative depth. Players appreciate the extensive variety of missions, campaigns, and customizable content, which allows for a rich tactical experience rather than a story-driven one. While the game excels in gameplay mechanics and map creation, it lacks a compelling narrative that could enhance the overall experience.
- “I was beginning to believe that this ambitious mission would end like the last one in the south.”
- “It is really quite incredible, you could write a story about the battle for Paris that never was.”
- “Lots of missions and units from across all theatres of WWII too.”
- “In terms of narrative or thematic presentation, Hex of Steel doesn’t offer much in terms of storytelling or character development; instead, its strength lies in the authentic recreation of WWII tactical warfare.”
- “This makes it a perfect choice for players who prefer pure tactical challenges over story-driven experiences.”
- “Which is a shame, you can't play the same missions or see the improvements added to the Google addition, which I believe hurts sales in that area.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Players highlight the strong replayability of "Hex of Steel" due to its competent AI, effective multiplayer features, and a robust map editor that allows for endless custom scenarios and battles. While the game offers diverse tactical challenges that enhance replay value, some users note that the pacing can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive nature and lasting appeal.
- “The AI is competent, multiplayer works well, and the map editor gives you endless replayability.”
- “Beyond the single-player campaign, Hex of Steel offers a variety of scenarios and custom battles, encouraging replayability through diverse tactical challenges.”
- “That's the real thing that bothers me with Hex of Steel; a slow pace does not stand for replayability or challenge.”
- “This is a great idea, and is just one more thing that makes the game seem like something of lasting replay value.”
- “It's addictive, has a huge scope of scenarios, and is endlessly replayable.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players find it captivating and fitting for the immersive gameplay, others describe it as annoying and lacking in variety. The sound effects are praised for their quality, enhancing the overall experience, but there is a consensus that the music could benefit from more diversity. Overall, the music is seen as a decent but not standout aspect of the game.
- “Immersive, both fast-paced and complex, with meaningful game counters that have flavorful images (or you can use NATO symbols), and, done very fun, are all the sound effects - the sounds of battle over captivating music from an age gone by.”
- “The gameplay is good, the sound effects are surprisingly well done, but the music is kind of annoying.”
- “Music/sound: not the best, certainly not the worst, but even with the DLC, it seems like it could use a bit more variety.”
- “I bought this expansion not because I needed soundtracks, but rather because I love Hex of Steel and wanted to support the developer.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance and minimal technical issues reported, even on gaming laptops. The integration of a dynamic weather system enhances both tactical gameplay and immersion without compromising visual and audio quality.
- “The developers also integrated a dynamic weather system that impacts visibility and unit performance, further deepening the tactical considerations and immersiveness.”
- “It runs smoothly, looks good, and sounds good.”
- “The game runs smoothly on my laptop (it is a gaming-oriented laptop; I can't say how this runs on a 'potato'), and has very few technical issues, crashes, or bugs.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is enhanced by modest yet effective audio effects, including weapon sounds, radio chatter, and ambient noises, which contribute to immersion without being distracting.
- “The audio effects are modest but effective, with weapon sounds, radio chatter, and atmospheric ambiance adding just enough immersion without distraction.”
- “The game's environment is richly detailed, creating a hauntingly beautiful world that draws you in and keeps you on edge.”
- “The lighting and sound design work together perfectly to create an immersive atmosphere that makes every moment feel tense and alive.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the developer's responsiveness to glitches and community concerns, others have reported significant issues such as crashes and freezes, leading to dissatisfaction.
- “Crashes and freezes; I want my money back.”
- “One of the best WWII games I've played in a while, but it has a few glitches that they seem to be fixing.”
- “The developer listens to community feedback and is willing to discuss bugs and glitches whenever they have the time.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often perceived as dark and unsettling, with some players finding the developer's responses to criticism more bizarre than amusing. While there are moments that could be considered funny, the overall tone leans towards the sad, leaving a mixed impression on the comedic value.
- “The developer's responses to negative reviews are so over-the-top that if it weren't so sad, it would be hilarious.”
- “The humor in this game is sharp and witty, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue and absurd situations throughout the game.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that grinding in the game can inflict significant damage on both sides and strain resources, but it often leads to prolonged gameplay as enemies are resilient and reluctant to yield territory.
- “But, be ready for a long grinding game where opposing units do not give up ground easily.”
- “Grinding through can do a lot of damage to both you and the enemy and strain supply lines while you bombard and attack stuff.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that "Hex of Steel" lacks depth in storytelling and character development, focusing instead on delivering an authentic experience of WWII tactical warfare.
- “In terms of narrative or thematic presentation, Hex of Steel doesn’t offer much in storytelling or character development; instead, its strength lies in the authentic recreation of WWII tactical warfare.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express that the emotional aspect of the game can evoke strong feelings, sometimes leading to moments of vulnerability or heightened sensitivity during gameplay.