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Steel Division 2

A solid realistic RTS hobbled by extremely steep learning curve, awkward control schemes, and disjointed singleplayer scenarios.
Steel Division 2 Game Cover
76%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics
Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding
80% User Score Based on 3,681 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
Steel Division 2 Game Cover

About Steel Division 2

Steel Division 2 is a single player and multiplayer tactical turn-based strategy game with a historical theme. It was developed by Eugen Systems and was released on June 20, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Expand Steel Division 2’s History through 3 additional DLC featuring famous campaigns, divisions, nations and units! Releasing during the year following the game’s release, these History Packs feature: 3 Dynamic Strategic Campaigns Historical missions, playable in solo and coop 12 Divisions New nations 6 new Aces New units 30 camos The first Steel Division 2 DLC: Death on the Vistula is included i…

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Looking for games like Steel Division 2? Here are top tactical turn-based strategy recommendations with a historical focus, selected from player-similarity data — start with Wargame Red Dragon, WARNO or Wargame European Escalation.

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Reviews

80%Audience ScoreBased on 3,681 reviews
gameplay151 positive mentions
stability19 negative mentions

  • Steel Division 2 offers a stunning visual experience with detailed graphics and immersive battlefields.
  • The game features a robust deck-building system that allows for a wide variety of unit combinations and strategies.
  • The Army General mode provides a unique blend of turn-based strategy and real-time tactics, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
  • The game has a steep learning curve, making it challenging for new players to grasp the mechanics and strategies.
  • DLC pricing is considered excessive, with many essential units and content locked behind paywalls.
  • The AI can be frustratingly overpowered, often leading to unbalanced gameplay and a lack of fair competition in multiplayer.
  • gameplay

    477 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    32% positive mentions, 63% neutral mentions, 5% negative mentions

    The gameplay of Steel Division 2 is characterized by its robust and intuitive mechanics, offering a blend of historical authenticity and strategic depth that appeals to both RTS enthusiasts and WWII fans. While the game features a steep learning curve and lacks comprehensive tutorials, players find the tactical gameplay rewarding once they grasp the mechanics, particularly in multiplayer and the new Army General mode. However, some reviews highlight issues with balance, AI behavior, and certain gameplay mechanics that can detract from the overall experience.

    • “One of the game's standout features is its robust and intuitive gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay perfectly captures the ebb and flow of a battlefield and rewards players who understand the strengths and weaknesses of the units involved and have tactical awareness.”
    • “The real meat of the game is the tactical gameplay, and Steel Division 2 delivers in spades.”
    • “What I dislike the most is that there's no bullet ballistics nor proper penetration mechanic - instead it's all based on calculation.”
    • “The gameplay feels fresh and I think I can say I enjoy it more than SD1 because I can actually run the game at a solid frame-rate.”
    • “The lack of a manual or a tutorial that actually explains basic gameplay and mechanics is appalling.”
  • graphics

    238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    53% positive mentions, 41% neutral mentions, 6% negative mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed unit models, and immersive environments that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players criticize the graphics as outdated or inconsistent, particularly when zooming in on units, leading to a perception that they do not meet modern standards. Overall, while the game showcases impressive graphics for large-scale battles, there are notable concerns regarding performance and visual fidelity on lower-end systems.

    • “Beyond its gameplay mechanics, Steel Division 2 boasts stunning visuals that breathe life into its wartime landscapes.”
    • “The graphics are stunning for a game like this, the strategy can be good at times, you don't need the DLC to enjoy the game, the multiplayer is a lot of fun, the single-player army general campaigns are alone enough for me to buy this game.”
    • “Absolutely gorgeous graphics... without exaggeration this is the most realistic and visually pleasing game I've ever had the pleasure of playing or even seeing.”
    • “The graphics are not even close to modern.”
    • “The graphics are very poor.”
    • “A game released in 2019 has 1990's graphics... Eugen team truly outdone themselves on this one.”
  • story

    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    5% positive mentions, 92% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many players noting that the focus is primarily on gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While there are some campaign missions and historical battles, the limited number of missions and the absence of a cohesive storyline detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about the game's content and replayability. Players who appreciate strategic gameplay may find enjoyment in the mechanics, but those seeking a rich narrative may be disappointed.

    • “However, playing the historical battles or army general campaigns is a different story entirely and there's a lot (and I mean a lot, some of the army general campaigns are quite long affairs and there's still more being added) of content and gameplay to be had there.”
    • “Holding on against hordes of Soviet tanks and infantry with my Cossacks for 20 minutes until the Hungarian tanks (who were some distance away on the campaign map) arrived and saved the day was a brilliant example of the challenges organically generated by the excellent army general and RTS integration, scenarios which in other games would often be scripted missions.”
    • “Great singleplayer content with 4 in-depth campaigns (campaigns are kind of Total War style) that offer great replay value as well as some historical missions that can be played in co-op, this is of course aided by the fact that the AI is competent and fun to play against.”
    • “The campaign in this game is all but non-existent, and as far as I can tell, there are only 4 missions with no tutorial, so it takes some time to figure things out when playing the game.”
    • “Single player campaign lacks any kind of story, and the number of single player missions is small for the price.”
    • “Considering the price, the gameplay is there, great graphics, but lacking story and content; for example, the number of maps and missions, a dynamic single player campaign would have been nice.”
  • replayability

    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    48% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 9% negative mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits a high level of replayability, bolstered by extensive customization options, diverse campaigns, and the availability of mods and DLCs. Players appreciate the strategic depth and variety in gameplay, although some note issues with balance and AI that can affect the experience. While many find the game addictive and enjoyable, a few express concerns about limited replayability in certain aspects.

    • “Even with its steep learning curve, there is plenty of replay value and fun that can be had with this in-depth RTS that I think all fans of strategy should try.”
    • “There is a ridiculously high amount of replay value with all of the customization options available with your army's deck building.”
    • “The campaign has immense replay value.”
    • “We have been asking for a campaign map editor so we can make use of this fabulous combat system and perhaps add various theatres to the lore, ensuring perpetual replayability - but they never did that.”
    • “There is an imbalanced grand campaign with little to no replayability and an AI that cheats like hell.”
    • “No replayability value, not much fun either.”
  • music

    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    31% positive mentions, 59% neutral mentions, 10% negative mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its grand and fitting orchestral compositions that enhance the gameplay experience, particularly during intense battles. However, some players find the soundtrack repetitive and generic, noting that it often consists of licensed tracks that can become monotonous over time. Overall, while the music adds a polished touch to the game, its limited variety and occasional audio bugs detract from the overall experience.

    • “It's just the perfect soundtrack for when you're out there going on the offensive with tanks and infantry and taking over towns and getting into massive skirmishes.”
    • “The soundtrack is stunning, it really captures the intense Operation Bagration.”
    • “The music is grand, and very fitting for the scenery.”
    • “The music is generic and can be quite repetitive at times.”
    • “The music attention bugs when the tutorial voiceover happens is enough to drive me insane on its own, but then we look at the fact that the in-game tutorial text is outdated when compared to the unit stats it was meant to be teaching me about!”
    • “Audio (3 of 10): okay, but depressing soundtrack.”
  • optimization

    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    46% positive mentions, 42% neutral mentions, 12% negative mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its good performance and graphics, while others criticize it for being poorly optimized, particularly in certain match types. Many users report satisfactory load times and stability, but inconsistencies in the interface and performance issues in specific scenarios have been noted. Overall, while some players find it runs smoothly on higher-end systems, others struggle with performance on lower-end setups, indicating a need for further optimization.

    • “The optimization is great and the strategic system is unique; the prices are low for DLCs.”
    • “Graphics are decent, optimization is very good.”
    • “The game does seem well optimized and ran smoothly for me (Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti, 16 GB of RAM, Intel Core i7 6700K 4.00 GHz, all options max, 1080p).”
    • “It was really poorly optimized and was just sort of a let down.”
    • “Performance wise, the game has been kinda heavy.”
    • “Let's say the game is 'optimized' for 10vs10 games, but totally broken for 1vs1, where with some paid DLC divisions you can flood the map with hundreds of very cheap and oversized infantry teams that can't be stopped... in fact, this is the meta: spam cheap units to flood the map.”
  • stability

    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    17% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 83% negative mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs affecting vehicles, UI, and gameplay mechanics, leading to frustrating experiences such as freezing and unresponsive controls. While some players find the game playable and enjoyable despite these issues, many express disappointment over the lack of polish and the presence of game-breaking glitches, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is seen as needing significant improvements to its stability to enhance the player experience.

    • “It's not buggy; I've only ever had one crash to desktop.”
    • “The game looks and runs great.”
    • “It has gorgeous graphics but still runs well on a moderate system.”
    • “Buggy vehicles and anti-tank guns that sometimes refuse to shoot enemies despite seeing them and having max ammo.”
    • “If you pause the game when time runs out, it freezes and can't be unpaused.”
    • “Too many game-breaking bugs, no saves during battles, so if you are defending 2-3 battles and on the last battle the game crashes/freezes, you just wasted a couple of hours and must do it all over.”
  • grinding

    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    11% positive mentions, 10% neutral mentions, 79% negative mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and overly time-consuming, often requiring excessive micromanagement and repetitive battles. While some appreciate the strategic depth, others criticize the AI's shortcomings and the lack of balance, leading to a frustrating experience that can feel like a chore rather than enjoyable gameplay. Overall, casual players may find the grinding elements particularly off-putting, suggesting that significant improvements are needed to enhance the experience.

    • “It can be a bit grindy at times, but it's part of the experience.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “If you're a more casual player and don't have the time to spend grinding 1v1s, and don't want to always play Axis in team games, then pass on the game until some kind of balance change happens.”
    • “The gameplay is a boring and tedious clickfest.”
    • “This issue really breaks the game and makes a fantastic title that could be so fun tedious and boring because you are fighting battles where there isn't any balance since you/AI don't get enough cards available in the battle to make it balanced and really intense.”
  • humor

    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    94% positive mentions, -11% neutral mentions, 17% negative mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it amusing due to its absurdities, such as the quirky interactions of Finnish troops and exaggerated gameplay mechanics. However, some critiques highlight that the humor can stem from frustration with the game's design and performance issues, leading to a blend of laughter and annoyance. Overall, while the game has its funny moments, it also invites criticism that adds to its comedic value.

    • “The best part of this game is playing with the Finnish troops and hearing their funny gibberish language.”
    • “Units move so fast on the road it's hilarious.”
    • “Historic accuracy in this game became a meme itself, because more often than not Eugen just brushes off positive game changes using it as a reason, while having no problem with monstrous imaginary Narnia-defense-force formations in the DLCs and overall funny arcade-ish game mechanics.”
    • “It's not funny.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected more clever humor, but it just didn't deliver.”
  • monetization

    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 10% neutral mentions, 90% negative mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as exploitative, with players labeling it a "cash grab" due to excessive advertisements, aggressive DLC promotions, and significant content locked behind paywalls. Many users express frustration over the game's high price point and the intrusive nature of ads, detracting from the overall experience. Despite some positive remarks about the gameplay, the monetization practices overshadow the game's potential appeal.

    • “I would not suggest this game to anyone; it's a cash grab with broken and unbalanced mechanics.”
    • “It's a $75 game that can't close without ending the process, spams you with ads while you're trying to play, and locks every unit behind a paywall.”
    • “I can't stand up for developers who only intend to make this the easiest cash grab for them possible.”
  • atmosphere

    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    78% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 22% negative mentions

    Overall, the atmosphere of the game is praised for its impressive graphics and sound design, creating a visually appealing and immersive experience. However, some players feel that the atmosphere is undermined by issues such as repetitive music, lack of detail in certain areas, and a campaign that lacks excitement and clarity. While the initial impression of the maps is strong, there is a desire for a more polished and cohesive experience that enhances the game's overall atmosphere.

    • “You first have a wow effect when you enter the maps, which are large, with roads, rivers, villages, forest, a nice atmosphere.”
    • “But game mechanisms, authenticity and atmosphere are just great!”
    • “- beautiful graphics, sounds, and atmosphere”
    • “Be it the mediocre user experience with the menus, lackluster tutorials, the repetitive music, repetitive maps, or the campaign (army general) which lacks atmosphere, excitement, and an introduction and requires lots of annoying trial-and-error on your own before you know what's important.”
    • “Next time I would wish for more consistent care for details, not only in some places, and a more polished overall game and UX design which doesn't leave me stranded somewhere in the dark WWII forest, and a bit more atmosphere, life, and personality of the units and just a bit more rounded off experience in general.”
  • emotional

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    Players emphasize the emotional weight of their decisions in the game, noting that initial campaigns should be approached with a mindset of experimentation rather than attachment. However, as players become more invested, the loss of key units and the consequences of their actions create a significant emotional impact, particularly when it affects the fate of their soldiers.

    • “Losing a tank-busting Stuka or a napalm-dropping Kobra is a strategic, tactical, and emotional loss felt when you can't rescue the entrapped soldiers that you blunderingly forgot to move to the new frontline.”
    • “This is one of those games where when you first play it, you should start a campaign and not invest too much emotionally in your success. Spend your first couple of campaigns just experimenting and getting a grip on how all the mechanics work, especially the campaign mechanics.”
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Play Times

31h Median play time
91h Average play time
15-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Steel Division 2 is a tactical turn-based strategy game with historical theme. Common tags for Steel Division 2 include turn-based, realistic, indie, world war ii, trading and others.

Steel Division 2 is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 91 hours playing Steel Division 2.

Steel Division 2 was released on June 20, 2019.

Steel Division 2 was developed by Eugen Systems.

Steel Division 2 has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked Steel Division 2 for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Steel Division 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Wargame Red Dragon, WARNO, Wargame European Escalation, Wargame: Airland Battle, Company of Heroes 2 and others.