Syrian Warfare
- February 21, 2017
- Cats Who Play
- 18h median play time
Get on Steam"Syrian Warfare" is a realistic real-time strategy game that simulates the complexities of the Syrian conflict. Players command various factions, managing resources, troops, and military strategies in intense battles. The game features a rich narrative, detailed environments, and authentic military equipment, providing a thought-provoking exploration of the human side of war.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging and challenging gameplay that requires strategic thinking and careful resource management.
- Unique perspective on the Syrian Civil War, providing insight into the conflict from the viewpoint of the Syrian government.
- Variety of units and vehicles, with a realistic damage model and destructible environments.
- Frequent crashes and bugs, particularly related to saving and loading games.
- Poor pathfinding for units, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
- Heavy political bias and propaganda, which may detract from the experience for some players.
- story675 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a complex and often controversial portrayal of the Syrian civil war, primarily from the perspective of the Syrian government and its military, which some players find engaging while others criticize as heavy-handed propaganda. Players navigate through a series of challenging missions that reflect real events, with a focus on tactical decision-making and unit management, as the narrative unfolds through character-driven dialogue and social media snippets between missions. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and realism, it is also noted for its bias, leading to mixed reactions regarding its political implications.
“The storyline follows actual events and scenarios, providing a perspective that is rarely seen in video games.”
“The story is full of propaganda, so hold your nose with Russian super-terminators that sacrifice themselves for the good of the Arabs, unlike those denying Americans and sneaky Europeans - Russia, truly the most humanitarian of countries.”
“The story is fantastic, very well designed and integrated between the real events of the Syrian war.”
“The writing and the story is lame, weak and yes too forced in/shoving it in your face.”
“The story is full of propaganda so hold your nose with Russian super-terminators that sacrifice themselves for the good of the Arabs unlike those denying Americans and sneaky Europeans - Russia, truly the most humanitarian of countries.”
“The game tells the story of the Syrian war from the perspective of a police officer becoming unit commander loyal to the government which some people might find controversial, I for one liked it.”
- gameplay269 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally described as engaging and challenging, with a mix of standard mechanics and deeper tactical elements reminiscent of titles like "Men of War" and "Company of Heroes." However, it suffers from significant issues such as poor pathfinding, clunky controls, and a lack of essential mechanics that could enhance the experience. While many players appreciate the realistic combat and strategic depth, the overall execution is marred by bugs and a steep learning curve, leading to a mixed reception.
“The gameplay captures lots of the peculiarities of the real Syrian civil war - from a ridiculous amount of variants of technicals to your opponents using SVBIEDs against you.”
“The gameplay is fun as you get to capture enemy weapons, pickups, and even tanks and use them against the enemy.”
“The combination of both simple and yet realistic elements with gameplay that is easy to learn but difficult to master provides a fun and challenging experience overall.”
“For how in-depth the game attempts to be in terms of ballistics and armor penetration, it lacks seriously important mechanics to accompany them, such as reversing, smoking to break line of sight quickly to avoid ATGMs, etc. Even worse, this game is plagued with some of the worst pathfinding I've ever seen.”
“The gameplay is very similar to Men of War or Call to Arms, but the graphics stand between C&C Generals and discount Men of War-ish, and the gameplay feels clunky and unpolished sometimes.”
“Problem is: because gameplay is so incredibly clunky while the pathfinding is the absolute worst I have ever seen in any strategy game, this piece becomes unplayable.”
- graphics147 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as decent but somewhat outdated, with many reviewers noting a charming aesthetic that captures the war-torn environments effectively. While the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they are functional and allow for good performance on lower-end systems, with some impressive effects like destructible environments. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mix of nostalgic appeal and limitations, with room for improvement in detail and polish.
“The graphics are stunning, the voice acting is solid, and for the most part, the plot is strong.”
“The graphics are very nice and suit the game well.”
“The graphics look okay for a small developer team, plus I don't really mind the non-AAA graphics.”
“The graphics look like they are from a decade or two ago.”
“The graphics suck and the acting/voices are terrible.”
“It's graphically a bit outdated, but still good looking.”
- music47 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack for its distinctiveness and atmospheric qualities, often likening it to classic RTS titles. While some players enjoy the variety and depth of the compositions, others find the music can become repetitive over time and lacks excitement. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered solid, enhancing the game's immersive experience, though some players wish for more diversity in musical styles.
“The soundtrack is a banger as well, giving me vibes from C&C Generals, but this time we aren't playing as the baddies and are the good guys.”
“Edlise, Brook Vernade, and Smileque have masterfully composed the game's soundtrack, which I have jammed on repeat as I type this review.”
“Every single song is distinct and creates its own atmosphere, perfectly fitting the ambience of the game.”
“The music is uninspired and boring.”
“I assume meant to be 'Syrian' music, it drones on in the background of missions, seemingly very repetitive. Much could be done to increase the music's excitement or engagement to the player.”
“Soundtrack is either solid or non-existent.”
- atmosphere25 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its realistic depiction of the Syrian conflict, effectively immersing players in a tense and gritty environment. Reviewers commend the detailed maps, impactful visuals, and distinct music that enhance the overall experience, creating a captivating and intense atmosphere reminiscent of classic strategy games. The combination of strategic gameplay and a well-crafted setting contributes to a deeply engaging atmosphere that resonates with players.
“The purpose of a game is to immerse a player in its atmosphere, and holy f*ck this game does it.”
“Impressed by its deep atmosphere based on realistic combats, character dialogs, and music.”
“It's hard to put into words how good the devs have done at creating an intense, even daunting atmosphere.”
“Impressed by its deep atmosphere based on realistic combat, character dialogues, and music.”
“The atmosphere of the game is very well done, and anyone who has played Company of Heroes will recognize the setup.”
- humor24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of dark and absurd, often stemming from its janky mechanics and questionable voice acting, which players find both amusing and frustrating. While the game tackles serious themes, it balances them with politically charged jokes and quirky dialogue, leading to moments of genuine laughter amidst challenging gameplay. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its irreverence and ability to lighten the intense action, despite some instances of poor execution.
“You can still appreciate the humor this game has to offer while not taking everything at face value.”
“The humor in the game goes well with the nail-biting intense shootouts; every mission I'm in disbelief that I actually beat it, lol, but it keeps me coming back.”
“Its graphics are stupidly outdated, the voice acting is hilariously bootleg, and the main menu is incredibly rough.”
- stability22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- -9 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The game is generally described as fun but plagued by numerous bugs and stability issues, including frequent crashes and frustrating pathfinding problems. While some players report improvements over time, many still experience significant glitches that detract from the overall experience, making it difficult to recommend without reservations.
“Aside from the frustrating pathfinding, this game is virtually bug-free.”
“The game runs smoothly without any major glitches or crashes.”
“I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime, making for a stable gaming experience.”
“There were no major, serious glitches although the game does crash every 10 or so saves/a few hours, but if you save obsessively, it's not a big deal.”
“The game has too many glitches not worth the money unless they fix it.”
“The game is really buggy though, I played through the second level twice only for at the end to have the convoy get stuck on a destroyed car and never move again.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the lengthy single-player campaigns and the ability to create custom scenarios, others find the lack of diverse game modes and limited content reduces its replay value. The presence of random elements and community-created content can enhance replayability for some, but many agree that it doesn't match the replay potential of other RTS games.
“I just love it, and the workshop makes it replayable.”
“The other very good thing about this game is the amount of content it provides; all of the campaigns are lengthy and replayable, and the latest DLC allows you to create your own scenarios using any of the maps, which are pretty huge.”
“Despite being a story-driven game, the replay value is actually pretty high.”
“Only 'flaw' is poor replayability.”
“The game is short with not much replayability.”
“Also lack of replay value because there is only a campaign and no other modes.”
- optimization14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing poor performance, frequent crashes, and long loading times, particularly on larger maps. However, others report smooth gameplay and good frame rates, even on older PCs, indicating that performance may vary significantly depending on hardware. Overall, while there are notable issues with optimization, some players have found improvements over time.
“Absolutely worth it, just imagine CTA but with far better designs, details, campaign, and optimization!”
“Smooth gameplay, great performance; I think that older PCs can run this too.”
“Edit April 27, 2019: The game runs smoothly now, with good frame rates, no texture glitches, and no crashes!”
“Basically a poorly optimized clone of Men of War, with a bad UI, even more awkward combat, and it crashes somewhat regularly doing routine things like loading a save or continuing to the next mission.”
“Really ugly, badly optimized, and often irrational game trying to be a modern Company of Heroes, but it is inferior in every common aspect.”
“Performance - loading times can be incredibly slow on large maps.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional connection to the game's characters and narrative, with some expressing that the experience evoked genuine tears during pivotal moments. The imperfections of the characters enhance this emotional depth, making players feel invested in their struggles. Overall, the game successfully blends drama and realism, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.
“The first mission made me cry, and I'm 34.”
“I rarely 'feel' while playing any game, let alone an RTS, but I feel emotionally connected to the struggles of my men.”
“The characters are emotional and have imperfections.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of engaging and tedious missions, with some players finding certain tasks, like clearing mines, particularly monotonous. While the game excels in tactical maneuvering, it can feel scripted at times, limiting player freedom and contributing to a sense of tedium for those not fond of micromanagement. Overall, it appeals to players who enjoy detailed management but may frustrate others seeking a more dynamic experience.
“This game is tedious at best.”
“I would recommend this game to those who like micromanaging squads, vehicles, and all the tediousness that comes with it.”
“Some missions are a bit too scripted, limiting freedom of tactical decisions and making them a bit tedious.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being lacking, with both the protagonist and supporting characters described as flat and underdeveloped.
“Character development: the protagonist and his supporting characters are flat.”
“The characters lack depth and fail to evolve throughout the story.”
“There is little to no growth in the characters, making it hard to connect with them.”
