Radio Commander Game Cover

Radio Commander is a unique war strategy game set in the Vietnam War where you play as an American military commander, coordinating operations through dramatic radio statements. Your only tool is a strategic map, making for a distinctive and immersive experience, differing from traditional RTS games.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 735 reviews
story59 positive mentions
stability26 negative mentions
  • Unique gameplay that immerses players in the role of a radio commander during the Vietnam War.
  • Engaging story and character development that adds emotional depth to the gameplay.
  • The game effectively captures the tension and uncertainty of military command through limited information.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and cause mission failures.
  • Repetitive dialogue and voice acting that can detract from immersion and enjoyment.
  • Limited strategic options and heavily scripted missions that reduce player agency and replayability.
  • story471 mentions

    The game's story, set during the Vietnam War, is generally well-received for its engaging character dialogue and immersive scenarios, though it suffers from predictability and reliance on clichés. Many players express frustration with mission scripting and bugs that disrupt gameplay, leading to confusion and repeated restarts, which detracts from the overall narrative experience. While the campaign consists of nine missions that offer a mix of tactical decisions and character development, the execution often feels limited and overly scripted, hindering player agency and immersion.

    • “The story is well told through great dialogue between the characters, which really makes the interactions feel authentic.”
    • “The storyline invests you in your units well and covers some of the grittier parts of the conflict.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, the game is innovative, and the story is beyond captivating.”
    • “The story is somewhat lackluster, as it's basically the story of a company doing their thing in Vietnam, such as: killing commies, napalming civvies, and some good ole' war crimes.”
    • “The biggest drawback for me was that most of the story missions are heavily scripted.”
    • “I won't go into the details so I won't spoil anything for you, but sometimes missions just force you to choose a certain strategy or a certain outcome - otherwise the mission is failed immediately - or worse, the mission just won't progress which is probably the clearest sign of faulty game design.”
  • gameplay149 mentions

    The gameplay has been described as both innovative and immersive, with unique mechanics that allow for troop management and decision-making, but it suffers from a lack of depth and clarity in its mechanics. While some players appreciate the strategic elements and the atmosphere, many find the gameplay repetitive, slow-paced, and occasionally frustrating due to bugs and poorly explained mechanics. Overall, the game offers a fresh experience but may not appeal to everyone due to its limitations and execution issues.

    • “The gameplay is very immersive and playing on veteran difficulty makes every decision matter.”
    • “Game has very straightforward mechanics and the first/tutorial mission lets you learn the game by actually playing it.”
    • “The mechanics, aesthetics, and dynamics (mostly) are fun and allow for freedom in a game I have not seen much in other titles.”
    • “The troop management is bare bones and does not affect the gameplay in a large way, but you can read the background story of all characters. Buy the DLC only if you want to support the developer, but not for gameplay reasons.”
    • “Gameplay gets stale quickly and is again annoying with all the filler radio chatter.”
    • “The gameplay can be sort of boring as all you do is really see a map and move map items around and give orders. I would have liked to have seen a bit more by way of cinematic content or something to look at besides a map.”
  • graphics41 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals are not high-end, they effectively serve the game's minimalist and immersive design. Some appreciate the unique art style and atmosphere, while others criticize the basic graphics and user interface, suggesting that the game relies more on audio and imagination than on visual fidelity. Overall, the graphics are functional but not the main draw of the game, with a consensus that they could be improved.

    • “The art style is beautiful, the game is innovative, and the story is beyond captivating.”
    • “The graphics are pretty good and the atmosphere of the game is quite nicely done.”
    • “Crisp, clean interface and graphics.”
    • “The graphics and UI are mediocre at best, and there are several bugs that can make the game frustrating to play.”
    • “The minimalist art style is not only one of the game's strengths, but also a drawback at times.”
    • “This is a low budget game, the graphics aren't great, do not expect wonders.”
  • stability26 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay and cause frustration. While some players note that glitches occur infrequently, many express that the game feels unfinished and resembles a pre-alpha state, leading to a challenging experience, particularly in critical missions. Overall, the game's stability issues detract from its potential enjoyment, with many players feeling disappointed by the technical shortcomings.

    • “This game is a broken buggy mess that was 'fully released' in something that resembles a pre-alpha stage.”
    • “Mission 5 in particular is very buggy and frustrating and I can't bring myself to play through it for the fourth or fifth time to have a mission failure due to something out of my control.”
    • “Very poor voice acting, glitches everywhere you turn (many that prevent you from progressing), and a horrible UI.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the option to tackle missions with different strategies or create custom battles, others find the scripted nature of the campaign limits creativity and makes replaying missions feel less rewarding. Achievements and new dialogues offer some incentive for replay, but many feel the game lacks substantial content to justify multiple playthroughs. Customization options and potential mods could enhance replayability, but as it stands, the game may not appeal to those seeking extensive replay value.

    • “I have only finished playing the game once, but I can already tell that it has a lot of replay value.”
    • “Apart from the story mode, the game also provides you with the option to set up custom battles which improves quality of life and replayability.”
    • “You can also create your own missions and share them, so that should add to replayability.”
    • “Replay value 1/10”
    • “The campaign relied heavily on scripting and putting units in specific positions or doing some specific actions for the story to continue, limiting replayability and creativity for a game with a large open map. The problem starts to surface more and more in later missions.”
    • “The game is somewhat replayable if you want to hear new dialogues and read different after-action reports, but it's not really worth replaying a 40-minute mission just to hear some lines and read a few sentences after a mission.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The game successfully immerses players in the atmosphere of the Vietnam War, effectively capturing both its complexities and emotional weight through strong audio, graphics, and engaging dialogue. While some users noted minor drawbacks, the overall experience is praised for its authenticity and ability to evoke the realities of war, making it a compelling choice for those interested in the historical context.

    • “The game effectively creates an atmosphere of war, highlighting the positives and negatives of the Vietnam War, especially from the eyes of a desk-bound commander.”
    • “There are some drawbacks, but I recommend playing to gain experience in squad leadership and feel the atmosphere of the Vietnam War.”
    • “Having been in the situation where you sit in a tent and move people around in real life with only a radio, a map, and poor lighting, I can say this game brilliantly captures the atmosphere.”
    • “Admittedly, I'm only short into the game and have a lot to learn yet, but being a bit of a Vietnam nerd after reading many books on the subject, this really nailed the atmosphere.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often describing the gameplay as lacking intensity and fun. While some acknowledge that the story and strategic elements can provide enjoyment, the repetitive nature of managing units and logistics detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The logistics are tedious, as they are in real life, but games are meant to be fun, not tedious.”
    • “I spent forever tediously moving my units one by one from checkpoint to checkpoint until near the end the convoy refused to move because it was 'pinned down'.”
    • “You have to tediously go through every unit and individually give that order to every single one.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for misleading advertising that suggests a deeper, more strategic experience than what is actually delivered. Players feel that the lack of documentation and the requirement to restart the game when purchasing DLC detracts from the overall experience, making it seem like a cash grab rather than a well-rounded product.

    • “The developers are advertising this game as being something which it currently is not.”
    • “It attempts to create a feeling of choice and strategy, which ruins the game because it's nothing but an illusion. It's also short; I completed the campaign 1.5 times, because buying the DLC halfway makes you restart the game, which adds to the frustration.”
    • “There is a severe lack of documentation or any information that is not an advertisement for the game available online.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The game effectively captures the emotional tension and toll of war, immersing players in a rollercoaster of feelings ranging from joy to sadness. While the narrative depth is commendable, some players find it challenging to form emotional connections with characters due to a lack of visual representation. Overall, it evokes a strong sense of empathy and engagement reminiscent of war films.

    • “It’s interesting how the game allows you to feel the tension and uncertainty of war, as well as the emotional toll it takes on the soldiers.”
    • “Your creative fiction really brings out the emotional depth and complexity of the game.”
    • “Playing this game made me feel like I was in the movie 'We Were Soldiers.'”
  • character development4 mentions

    The game features a unique storytelling approach that enhances character development, allowing players to form strong attachments to the characters through engaging radio messages and introductory videos. However, some players find that excessive information from subordinate leaders can detract from the experience, particularly during critical tactical moments. Overall, the character development is generally well-received, though it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The game’s unique approach to storytelling and character development through radio messages seems to have made a strong impression on you.”
    • “You really get attached to your characters as there is some surprisingly good character development.”
    • “Just completed the third mission; so far, I really like the character development and the videos at the start of the round. The gameplay is good, just as advertised. I wouldn't say it's a game for everyone, but I like it.”
    • “Character development and story get annoying when subordinate leaders fill the net with needless information while trying to make time-sensitive tactical decisions.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game is noted for its humor, delivering laughs through offensive jokes and witty dialogue, particularly in radio conversations. Players appreciate the unique storytelling in the campaign missions, which blend humor with strategic gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “Already made me laugh more than a few times.”
    • “Some conversations over the radio are just hilarious.”
    • “And one funny feature that I use is the microphone.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game is praised for creating a relaxing atmosphere, though some users express disappointment over the absence of 60s era tracks. While the voice acting is considered average, players appreciate the option to supplement the soundtrack with their own music.

    • “I love this! It's great to just put on some music and chill.”
    • “Love the atmosphere! The voice acting is okay; it's a pity there's no 60's era music, but I solved that with YouTube.”
    • “Love the atmosphere, but it's a pity there's no 60's era music. I solved that with YouTube.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for delivering impressive performance even on low graphics settings, allowing players with less powerful systems to enjoy a visually appealing experience. However, there are suggestions for further enhancements, such as incorporating dynamic weather effects that impact gameplay mechanics, like radio signal reliability.

    • “Wow, it's very fun! The performance is also epic. I am playing on low graphics, but it looks like ultra graphics, and I still get around 40 FPS on my potato :D”
    • “Weather conditions should change between fog, thunderstorms, etc. These conditions should influence unit performance. For example, radio signals tend to break up during a storm, and sometimes you get missing numbers in the coordinates. Then you lose radio contact, and you'll have to make estimations on the location of the unit or try other means to locate it.”
    • “Weather conditions should change between fog, thunderstorms, etc., and these conditions should influence unit performance. For example, radio signals tend to break up during a storm, and sometimes you get missing numbers in the coordinates, leading to lost radio contact. You'll have to make estimations on the location of the unit or try other means to locate it.”
    • “The optimization of the game is severely lacking, as it often struggles to maintain a stable frame rate during intense battles, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that hindered my progress, and the lack of optimization made the game feel unfinished and frustrating.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Radio Commander

Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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