On The Western Front

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 58 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
On The Western Front Game Cover
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"On The Western Front" is a WW1 mod for Mount & Blade: Warband. It features large-scale battles, historical weapons and uniforms, and a focus on realism and strategy. Players can join various factions and fight for control of the Western Front.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 58 reviews
humor3 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and in-depth simulation of WW1 trench warfare, providing a fresh experience that is hard to find in other titles.
  • The developer is highly dedicated, actively engaging with the community and consistently updating the game based on player feedback.
  • Despite its rough edges, the game has significant potential and is a passion project that many players appreciate for its originality and depth.
  • The user interface and controls are clunky and confusing, making it difficult for players to navigate and understand the game mechanics.
  • The game suffers from frequent crashes and bugs, which can hinder gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • The tutorial system is inadequate, leaving players struggling to learn the game's mechanics and often feeling lost.
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay has been described as complex and often confusing, with many players struggling to grasp the mechanics due to a lack of detailed tutorials and an unintuitive user interface. While the combat mechanics yield realistic results and the core ideas are promising, the game requires significant improvements in command responsiveness, supply system clarity, and overall optimization to enhance the player experience. Despite these challenges, there is optimism that with future updates and refinements, the game could become a standout title in the WW1 genre.

    • “However, it's a bit ugly (which the dev is working on), but man does this game have some seriously good gameplay.”
    • “The combat mechanics generally seem to get pretty realistic results.”
    • “With the devs' plans to add more content/details once the basic gameplay is ironed out, this will easily be one of the best WW1 games on Steam.”
    • “Not only does its presentation unpleasantly blind the eyes, sobering above all are the complicated game mechanics, which even the rudimentary tutorial hardly knows how to explain, as well as the puzzling menu elements, which prove to be as confusing as the battle situation at the Somme.”
    • “Currently not optimized: the commands are difficult to understand and don't always respond, the supply system is very, very difficult to understand, and overall the game could use more AI and better tutorials to explain the game mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay is kind of difficult thanks to how obtuse the UI and organizing units are.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received largely negative feedback, with many users describing them as outdated and reminiscent of early 90s titles. Complaints include poor usability, hard-to-read text, and a lack of graphical options, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the game's concept, they feel that significant improvements in graphics and user interface are necessary for it to reach its full potential.

    • “If you want some detail and meat to your game and don't mind some rather simplistic graphics, give it a go.”
    • “There's a lot this game needs, but not a lot on the gameplay front; just minor tweaks and small additions here and there. Mainly a UI and graphical overhaul, and this game would already make one of the best indie releases of the year even better.”
    • “Let's face it: the graphical appearance of 'On the Western Front' makes us think that we haven't been transported back to one of the most horrendous chapters of human history, but to the early nineties.”
    • “Graphics are serviceable, but the text is near impossible to read.”
    • “No options to change graphic settings - text is hard to read - when you zoom in??????”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for occasional stuttering and GUI issues, though they are not considered game-breaking. Players find the command system unresponsive and challenging to grasp, alongside a convoluted supply system, indicating a need for improved AI and better tutorials to enhance understanding of the game mechanics.

    • “Currently not optimized: the commands are difficult to understand and don't always respond, the supply system is very, very difficult to understand, and overall the game could use more AI and better tutorials to explain the game mechanics.”
    • “There are occasional stuttering or GUI problems, but not game-breaking for me.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when it comes to managing unit movements and orders. The current system requires excessive micromanagement, which detracts from the overall experience and could benefit from more streamlined commands.

    • “I'd love to see more area orders, for example, ordering a company or battalion to move to/hold this line of trench, instead of moving everyone in a batch and then tediously going through the order of battle to select each battalion and each company and each platoon in that company to their individual positions.”
    • “But what is in the game, pulling units back and out of the trenches to drill to maintain readiness is tedious and kind of lame.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent glitches, bugs, and crashes, leading to inconsistent button functionality and an overall frustrating experience for players.

    • “Half the buttons only work some of the time, and there are a ton of glitches, bugs, and crashes to desktop.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experience constant lag and instability, which ruins the overall experience.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the humor in the game, noting that it stands out from typical hex-and-counter games by offering a more engaging and entertaining experience rather than just a mundane shuffle of components.

    • “It's not just another hex-and-counter game where all you're doing is shuffling things around like some funny-smelling cardboard wargame.”
    • “The humor in this game is so clever that it keeps you laughing while you strategize.”
    • “I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue and hilarious scenarios that make every playthrough enjoyable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the lack of saving and loading features particularly distressing, as it can lead to emotionally charged moments that are difficult to revisit or recover from.

    • “The emotional weight of the story left me in tears, making every moment feel significant.”
    • “The characters' struggles resonated deeply with me, creating a powerful connection that I won't forget.”
    • “Experiencing the highs and lows of the narrative was an emotional rollercoaster that truly impacted me.”
  • music1 mentions

    The game's soundtrack, featuring live orchestral recordings, is highlighted for its immersive quality, with users particularly enjoying the subtle details like occasional coughs and sharp inhales that enhance the listening experience.

    • “By far my favorite feature so far is the occasional cough or sharp inhale in the live orchestral recordings that make up this game's soundtrack.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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