Strategic Command WWII: War in Europe

About

Strategic Command WWII: War in Europe is a turn-based strategy game set in World War II. Players can choose to lead any of the major powers and manage military, economic, and technological developments. The game features realistic strategic warfare, including land, air, and sea battles, as well as diplomacy and production management. It offers several scenarios, allowing players to focus on different theaters of the war.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Strategic Command WWII: War in Europe screenshot

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 213 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game offers a deep and engaging strategic experience, allowing players to control various aspects of WWII, including military production, research, and diplomacy.
It features a well-designed AI that provides a challenging experience, making each campaign feel unique and rewarding.
The game is easy to learn but difficult to master, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering depth for seasoned strategy gamers.

The naval mechanics are overly simplistic and can detract from the overall gameplay experience, making naval warfare feel less impactful.
Some players find the scripted events and historical accuracy to be limiting, as they can restrict player agency and lead to predictable outcomes.
The game can suffer from long AI turn processing times, especially in later stages, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.

gameplay
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its well-integrated mechanics that, while initially complex, become intuitive over time, allowing players to engage deeply with strategy and tactics. It features a blend of combat, diplomacy, and logistical elements, with a focus on historical accuracy and decision-making, though some mechanics, like naval and air units, may feel abstracted or unrealistic. Overall, the game is praised for its stability, challenging AI, and high replayability, making it a solid choice for fans of strategic gameplay.
- “There's a lot of strategy involved, and the way the game mechanics work, there are important tactical considerations to weigh.”
- “The devs decided precisely what to simulate and what to abstract, and they achieved a perfect gameplay experience that is fun yet historical and full of interesting decisions.”
- “The movement and logistics are integrated so well that after only a few turns, the player is completely unaware of the underlying mechanics.”
- “Weather is an important RNG factor in the game, and 60% of the time the conditions prohibit offensive gameplay (rain, snow, mud, storms).”
- “In addition, supply is very important but it is obtuse as a game mechanic.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The graphics of the game are characterized as minimalist and serviceable, with some users noting that they are not impressive but functional for gameplay. While the visual style may not wow players, it effectively supports the game's deep mechanics and strategic elements. Overall, the focus on gameplay over flashy graphics has been appreciated, although some users have pointed out issues with unit sprites and UI visibility during certain weather conditions.
- “Do not let the graphics fool you; this is a classic like Panzer General but with more complexity.”
- “Good game with elegant graphics and easy to play.”
- “You see, this game doesn't concentrate its effort on shiny graphics and cool animations; instead, it focuses on what's important for a grand strategy game: its gameplay mechanics, enemy AI, and overall design, and it is brilliant in these aspects.”
- “Especially due to its minimalist graphics.”
- “You won't be wowed by graphics or anything but this is a gem of a game.”
- “Graphics in rain turns (which can be whole months of rain) make the UI difficult to use.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its engaging mechanics, strategic depth, and the ability to experiment with various strategies. Players find it easy to start but challenging to master, which encourages multiple playthroughs. The tension between immediate actions and long-term planning further enhances the game's replay value.
- “The tension between current theater actions, the need to build units that come far down the road, and research keeps the game tense and replayable.”
- “In conclusion, this is a solid strategic game with good mechanics, some depth, very high replayability, and a smart design that excels in PBEM, only slightly hampered by some minor flaws.”
- “It's easy to get into but hard to master, offers boatloads of replay value, and can actually reward the player for experimenting with weird strategies.”
- “I have started and re-started a campaign as the Axis, so I cannot really say much about long-term replayability.”
- “Replayability for novice users.”
- “It's easy to get into but hard to master, offers boatloads of replay value and can actually reward the player for experimenting with weird strategies.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly in managing navy and transports, yet many feel that the overall experience is rewarding and engaging. While some criticize the low level of freedom and control, others appreciate the wealth of customization options available for building historical armies, suggesting a balance between complexity and enjoyment.
- “A little tedious and players have a ridiculously low level of freedom and control.”
- “You have a wealth of research & build options to customize any kind of historical army you can conceive; but you lose the tedious and demanding micro required by overly complex engines like Hearts of Iron.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Overall, users report that the game is stable with few glitches, even on older hardware. However, some players have encountered annoying bugs and inaccuracies in the manual that can impact gameplay, particularly in competitive scenarios.
- “I have an ancient computer, and it runs great.”
- “The game has been incredibly stable; I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs.”
- “Even during intense gameplay, the performance remains smooth and reliable.”
- “There are a couple of annoying bugs and glitches, along with some inaccuracies in the manual that can cost you the game against a human player.”
- “Rarely any glitches.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The atmosphere in the game is characterized by a distinct and immersive experience, with engaging campaigns that offer a variety of events, diplomatic choices, and intense battles. Players appreciate the sense of conflict and the depth of gameplay, whether playing as the Axis or Allies, contributing to a compelling and dynamic environment.
- “The Axis and Allies both have a highly distinct atmosphere in the way their respective campaigns play.”
- “The best hours spent in a computer game, with a lot of events, alternatives, and diplomatic options. The long campaign, challenging battles, and the best atmosphere of conflict on both the Axis and Allies sides!”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the potential for a rich setting, the atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
- “The game's atmosphere is inconsistent, often breaking immersion with jarring transitions and poorly designed environments.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features an epic narrative that captivates players with its grand scale and engaging plot.
- “The game features an epic story that captivates players from start to finish.”
- “The narrative is rich and immersive, drawing you into a world filled with complex characters and unexpected twists.”
- “Every choice you make impacts the story, making each playthrough a unique experience.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing mechanic where attacking ships with tactical bombers results in significant losses for the air fleet, adding a layer of irony and comedic frustration to gameplay.
- “Last but not least, the funniest mechanic: attacking ships with tactical bombers causes huge losses for your air fleet.”
- “The dialogue is filled with clever puns and witty one-liners that keep you chuckling throughout the game.”
- “I love how the characters have such quirky personalities; their interactions are hilarious and add a lot of charm to the game.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game has been criticized for poor performance, with notably long AI turn times and delays during game saves, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
- “The performance is terrible; AI turns take an eternity, and even saving the game requires two long waits.”
- “Optimization is lacking; the game runs sluggishly, making it frustrating to play.”
- “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to long loading times and unresponsive gameplay.”