Scourge of War: Waterloo
- November 19, 2015
- NorbSoftDev
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"Scourge of War: Waterloo" is a tactical strategy game that simulates the famous 1815 battle in detail. Command thousands of troops across a realistic battlefield, with historically accurate units, weaponry, and battle tactics. Experience the intensity of the battle and test your strategic skills in this immersive and challenging game. Fight for glory and historical accuracy in the ultimate wargame simulation of Waterloo.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers an unparalleled experience of Napoleonic warfare, with massive battles and a high level of historical accuracy.
- Players appreciate the depth of strategy involved, allowing for command at various levels and the use of couriers to issue orders, enhancing immersion.
- Despite its dated graphics, the game is praised for its scale and the ability to command thousands of troops, providing a unique tactical experience.
- The user interface and controls are often described as clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- Many players report issues with the AI, particularly with friendly units not following orders effectively, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The game suffers from technical problems, including crashes and poor optimization, which can hinder gameplay and enjoyment.
- graphics53 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and simplistic, often compared to titles from the late 1990s, which may deter players seeking modern visuals. However, many reviewers appreciate the graphics for their ability to prioritize scale and gameplay over visual fidelity, arguing that they are sufficient for the game's tactical focus. While some find the visuals charming or adequate, others criticize them as poor, with minimal detail and subpar animations, suggesting that players who prioritize graphics should look elsewhere.
“I am happy that somewhat simplistic (but still beautiful) graphics were chosen to allow for the simulation of such huge battles.”
“The graphics aren't state of the art (the soldiers are sprites, for example), but they are better than I expected for a game of this scale.”
“Graphics are minimal but suit it perfectly.”
“Awful graphics, awful optimization, mediocre gameplay.”
“The graphics are terrible but it's still a great game, even if you just want to get a feel for how the battlefields looked.”
“The graphics are poor to very bad.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the strategic elements and immersive battle experiences, while others criticize the graphics, optimization, and camera mechanics. Although many find the gameplay engaging and fun, there are calls for improvements in controls and mechanics, particularly regarding artillery and cavalry. Overall, while the game offers notable experiences, its playability may not justify the price for everyone.
“I could go on for several more paragraphs of why this game is worth purchasing, as I have piled up quite a few notable experiences in my one hundred hours of gameplay so far, but I think it is best to learn and explore on one's own in such a massive game.”
“Gameplay wise, not many games give you the feeling of an actual battle taking place, artillery firing, bodies littering the ground, and thousands of sprites firing away at each other.”
“Having said that, the gameplay itself is really, really good.”
“Awful graphics, awful optimization, mediocre gameplay.”
“I didn't find the game's battle mechanics to be beyond so-so.”
“The game itself is interesting and fun, but the camera mechanics are awful.”
- story5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is perceived as lacking depth, with users expressing frustration over the user interface and technical issues that hinder gameplay. Players mention the need for strategic planning reminiscent of historical battles, but the overall narrative experience seems underwhelming and overshadowed by gameplay mechanics.
“Let me tell you a better story:”
“I went through a couple of custom games as well as 2 missions from the Waterloo campaign, both at normal mode.”
“Have to plot moves way in advance as troops need to march to the areas to fight like they did back then.”
“The story is poorly developed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The narrative feels disjointed and fails to connect with the gameplay.”
“There are moments where the story seems to stall, leaving players frustrated and uninterested.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, enhancing the immersive experience and contributing to the tactical atmosphere of battles. While some users note that the overall quality may be lacking, the music stands out as a positive aspect, with specific mentions of classical pieces like those from Ludwig van Beethoven. Overall, it complements the game's expansive scenarios and engaging gameplay.
“But it is all compensated through good music, making you feel like you are actually on the field by yourself with good tactical options presented in each battle scenario.”
“The music is fine; I love a bit of Ludwig van. The manual and the tutorial are both helpful and needed. It is expensive, but I think it's value for money.”
“The music enhances the experience, immersing you in the game and making each moment feel epic.”
“As the game is extremely interesting, and although it seems lacking in general quality (i.e. music, graphics, etc.), the game makes up for it with its sheer size and potential for new scenarios.”
“The music is fine, love a bit of Ludwig van, but it doesn't stand out in any significant way.”
“While the game has a lot of potential, the music feels generic and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers exceptional replayability, featuring a sandbox mode that allows players to command armies of any size and engage in numerous challenging scenarios that can be played from multiple perspectives. This variety ensures that players can enjoy endless gameplay experiences.
“Infinite replay value, allowing you to command any size of army you desire.”
“Endless replayability thanks to the sandbox mode.”
“Numerous scenarios that are challenging to win, providing replayability for both sides (France/Allies).”
“Endless replayability as you can use the sandbox mode.”
“There are lots of scenarios that are not easily winnable, which adds to the replayability for both sides (France/Allies).”
“Infinite replay value, allowing you to command any size of army you want.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, primarily due to a poorly designed command control and movement interface that complicates gameplay. Additionally, tracking the status of commanders adds to the overall tedium.
“A difficult and poorly designed command control and movement interface makes this a tedious and frustrating game to play.”
“Finding out which of your commanders was killed can be tedious.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for poor performance and subpar graphics, leading to a sluggish gameplay experience. Overall, players find the optimization lacking, which detracts from their enjoyment.
“Awful graphics, awful optimization, mediocre gameplay.”
“My biggest gripe with the game is the rather sluggish performance at times.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, such as freezing on the campaign map when armies engage, and it is plagued by bugs and poor AI behavior. Players seeking a polished experience may be disappointed, but those interested in its historical context might still find value despite these flaws.
“Time on the campaign map freezes once two armies meet, and will not move forward until you resolve the battle.”
“Don't buy this game if the only thing you look for in a game is good graphics and stability, because it's buggy and the AI can sometimes be incredibly stupid. I enjoy this for its historical purposes, rather than it being a well-run game, because it's not.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has not been directly addressed in the provided text, which focuses more on the game's graphics. Therefore, no specific insights about monetization can be drawn from this review.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is significantly enhanced by the sharp rhythm of musket fire and the booming sound of cannons, particularly when experienced from a ground-level perspective.
“The sharp rhythm of musket fire interrupted by the boom of a cannon, especially when zoomed to ground level, really adds to the atmosphere.”
“The haunting melodies and ambient sounds create an immersive experience that pulls you into the world.”
“The detailed environments and dynamic weather effects contribute to a rich and engaging atmosphere.”
