SGS Afrika Korps
- November 12, 2020
- Strategy Game Studio
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"SGS Afrika Korps" is a turn-based strategy game set in the North African desert during World War II. Players can command either the Axis forces, led by Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps, or the British 8th Army, known as the Desert Rats, in various scenarios ranging from small battles to grand campaigns. The game aims to realistically portray the desert warfare in Libya and Egypt from 1940 to 1942, with a focus on historical accuracy and tactical decision-making. Scenarios vary in duration, with some taking only a few hours to complete, while others can last for several days.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and interesting combat system that deviates from traditional hex-and-counter wargames, providing a fun and engaging experience once the mechanics are understood.
- The presentation is visually appealing, with good art for the screens, maps, and counters, along with a well-illustrated manual that aids in learning the game.
- The card-based strategic layer enhances replayability and simulates political and military events, adding depth to the gameplay.
- The rules and tutorials are poorly explained, leading to a steep learning curve that can frustrate new players, requiring them to seek clarifications from external sources.
- The AI is often criticized for being weak and lacking challenge, making single-player experiences less engaging compared to multiplayer options.
- The game suffers from various bugs and performance issues, including frequent freezes and a clunky user interface that detracts from the overall experience.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique d20 attack mechanic that requires some time to master, but once understood, it offers fluid and engaging experiences, particularly against AI opponents. While the AI can be easily defeated, players can enjoy several hours of fun, especially with the game's visually appealing unit cards and classic board-game style. However, issues with supply mechanics may detract from the overall experience.
“Fluid gameplay, after you understand the mechanics.”
“The mechanics of the game seem like a fine way to simulate this campaign, and I did occasionally have some interesting battles trying to break through at some points while holding others.”
“The gameplay reminds me of a classic board-game style; the counters are informative and beautifully crafted. Every turn consists of a number of phases in which you draw and play event cards, place reinforcements, move air wings, troops, and resolve battles.”
“It takes a while to get used to the d20 attack mechanics against no armor/defense factor for the defender.”
“This game has a tremendous problem with supply and supply mechanics.”
“The AI in this title is a bit wonky, wherein it is very easily beaten once the mechanics are understood, but you can easily get 8 hours of fun against the AI if it appeals to you.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with users reporting frequent bugs that hinder gameplay, such as unresponsive units and AI issues. Many players experience frustrating freezes, particularly during critical sections, leading to the need for restarts. Overall, the game's performance is viewed as unreliable and in need of substantial improvement.
“This company is quickly gaining a track record for releasing overpriced, buggy games with little effort or communication to improve.”
“Most of the time it is too buggy; I can't move units, and the AI is stuck, which is very frustrating.”
“The only downside is that my game constantly freezes on the reinforcement section, so I have to exit out and restart from a saved game.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their quality, featuring detailed unit cards and visually appealing images of aircraft and ground vehicles. Reviewers appreciate the clarity of the visuals, which enhance the overall gaming experience without requiring close inspection.
“It looks really nice; the unit cards depicting Osprey men-at-arms and the pleasing images of aircraft and ground vehicles give it a nice feel, and the basic mechanics of how the game works are sound.”
“The graphics are really nice, and you don't have to use a magnifying glass to figure out who's who!”
“The graphics are nice.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game, including both original and commissioned tracks, is well-suited to the historical context and themes, enhancing the overall experience. Players are advised to adjust settings for optimal enjoyment, particularly by lowering music and audio levels.
“The music, both the original and the commissioned tracks, is appropriate to the time period and subject matter.”
“I recommend playing with the delay set to 0, expert AI, and turning down the music and audio for the best experience.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous over time.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The audio mixing is poor, with music often overpowering important sound effects.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability due to its polished design and the flexibility to engage in both small and large campaigns, allowing players to tailor their experience. Additionally, the variety of cards available introduces diverse choices, enhancing the overall replay value.
“Overall, it is a really polished product, with good replay value and the ability to take on small or large campaigns to suit your preferences.”
“There's replayability because the different cards you get give you different choices to make.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in subsequent playthroughs makes it feel repetitive.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its strong sense of immersion, creating a captivating environment that enhances the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world.”
“The ambiance created in this game is truly captivating and enhances the overall experience.”
“Every detail contributes to a rich atmosphere that makes you feel like you're part of the story.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for lacking several standard features typical of the genre, such as a filtered map display, mission objective summaries, detailed order of battle lists, and a record of lost or destroyed units, which detracts from the overall narrative experience.
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative arc, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is minimal, leaving the players with little emotional investment in the outcomes.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or depth.”
