Making History: The Calm & the Storm

This strategy game places you in the political mess known as Europe in the days preceding World War II. Teachers, students, and history buffs will find the Scenario Editor powerful and easy to use to develop turn-based, historically accurate strategy games. Network play lets different people take on

81%Game Brain Score

gameplay, humor

graphics, replayability

81% User Score Based on 400 reviews

Critic Score 73%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Making History: The Calm & the Storm" is a strategy game set in World War II, where players must navigate the economic, military, and diplomatic challenges of leading a nation. With over 80 nations and 800 regions, the game offers a detailed and historically accurate world for players to explore and influence. Your decisions will shape your nation's strategy and alliances as the world evolves with each turn.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Making History: The Calm & the Storm screenshot

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 400 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game offers a lot of historical detail and allows players to learn about WWII while playing.
It's a fun and addictive strategy game that can be enjoyed with friends, especially in multiplayer mode.
The game has a decent mod support and scenario editor, allowing for customization and replayability.

Many players experience technical issues, such as the game asking for a valid product key or failing to launch.
The game lacks modern graphics and optimization, making it feel outdated on current systems.
The AI and combat mechanics can be simplistic, leading to repetitive gameplay and a lack of challenge.

gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
69%
10%
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics that are easy to learn, offering decent replayability and variability in each playthrough. However, it suffers from poor optimization, outdated UI, and a lack of depth in diplomacy and combat systems, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the game's fun factor and historical context, others find the mechanics too simplistic and the AI lacking, leading to a mixed reception.
- “The mechanics are very simple, but the events that happen are always different.”
- “Mechanics are easy to pick up, yet I feel it has decent replayability and its own magic.”
- “The gameplay is the strong point of this game.”
- “The game is very badly optimized, with low framerates and janky gameplay even on a high-end rig, probably just because it's using dated engine components/middleware that needs to be modernized, but the devs refuse, instead wanting money for an abandoned, unmaintained game.”
- “The menus and gameplay are completely unintuitive, that combined with the complete lack of tutorials make this game absolutely no fun.”
- “The gameplay is simple, but sadly the AI is simpler.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated and simplistic, with some reviewers noting that they may not appeal to everyone. While the visuals are not a strong point, many players find the gameplay and strategic depth to be compelling enough to overlook the graphical shortcomings. Overall, the graphics are described as functional but lacking in detail and polish, which may deter some players.
- “Firstly, the graphics are attractive and detailed, which I find a plus for a war game.”
- “If you don't mind the dated graphics and interface, and you like simulation strategy games, give this one a try.”
- “Great game! The graphics are simplistic and almost any system can play this hidden gem.”
- “First off, be warned that the graphics are not great, and the interface takes a little getting used to.”
- “- At release, the graphics already looked ancient; even by Paradox grand strategy standards, the game is ugly.”
- “Although graphics aren't the emphasis of these types of games, they are pretty weak.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game boasts high replayability due to its simple mechanics, an easy-to-use scenario editor, and the ability to play as any country, allowing for diverse experiences in each playthrough. Users appreciate the unpredictability of outcomes, which enhances the overall replay value.
- “Replay value is insanely good.”
- “The replayability is huge simply because anything can happen.”
- “The game also comes with a scenario editor which is easy to use and adds lots of replay value.”
- “It has very simple mechanics, while having an easy editor to make the game replayable.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game to be highly entertaining, often leading to uncontrollable laughter. The comedic elements, particularly in multiplayer scenarios, are noted to be more engaging than in single-player modes, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the experience.
- “I fell out of my chair laughing!”
- “I died laughing.”
- “Co is more funny than single-player.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its exploration of complex relationships, particularly through the dynamic of George and Martha, a middle-aged couple whose intense verbal conflicts reveal a deep emotional dependence. Players report feeling a sense of learning and introspection as they engage with these themes.
- “George and Martha are a middle-aged married couple whose charged relationship is defined by vitriolic verbal battles, which underlies what seems like an emotional dependence upon each other.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from poor optimization, lacking support for modern display resolutions and widescreen formats, resulting in a subpar experience on contemporary gaming PCs.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling it capitalizes on nostalgia rather than offering genuine value.
- “This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience.”
- “I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game; it feels like they are more focused on making money than delivering a quality experience.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of the game is engaging and well-crafted, providing players with a compelling narrative that enhances the overall experience. Users appreciate the depth and creativity of the storyline, which adds emotional weight and immersion to the gameplay.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's stability has been criticized for featuring numerous game-breaking glitches, which may appeal to players who enjoy such chaotic experiences.
- “So if you enjoy game-breaking glitches, this is the game for you.”
- “The frequent crashes make it nearly impossible to enjoy the gameplay.”
- “I experienced constant lag and instability, which ruined the overall experience.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the resource trading aspect of the game somewhat tedious, though it becomes more manageable as the system automates much of the process, allowing for a more hands-off experience.
- “Resource trading gets a little tedious, but if you let go of the wheel, it pretty much automates itself.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which really drains the fun out of the experience.”