Talvisota - Winter War | Game Brain

About

NOTICE: This Mod requires a valid installation of Rising Storm 2: Vietnam. Talvisota: Winter War is a community created full conversion mod, utilizing the majority of core gameplay mechanics from Rising Storm 2: Vietnam to explore an entirely different theater of war not often seen in video games. To create a battlefield that feels different from the base game a lot of work has gone into both br…

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+12

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 714 reviews

gameplay11 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The mod offers a unique and immersive experience set in the Winter War, reminiscent of the classic Red Orchestra 2 gameplay.
It features well-designed maps, a variety of weapons, and the addition of tanks, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
The mod is free and showcases a lot of effort from the developers, making it a worthwhile addition for fans of historical shooters.

The player base is very low, with many servers being empty or having only a few players, making it difficult to find a match.
Gameplay can feel unbalanced, particularly favoring the Finnish side, leading to frustrating experiences for players on the Soviet team.
There are several technical issues, including bugs, poor map design, and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience.

gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
52%
10%
The gameplay of the mod has received mixed reviews, with some praising its unique mechanics like skiing and the introduction of tanks, while others criticize it for being bland, sluggish, and plagued by bugs. Although it captures historical elements effectively, many players find the overall experience to be less engaging compared to its predecessor, Rising Storm 2, citing issues with matchmaking and map design. Despite its potential and immersive details, the gameplay is often described as static and lacking in excitement.
- “This mod brings a tragically little known conflict to life, portraying the ferocious resistance of Finland to Soviet invasion, introducing a variety of interesting weapons and new mechanics (tanks and skis foremost) into Rising Storm 2.”
- “Awesome WW2 combat with unique weapons and gameplay.”
- “Great map variety, original Russian and Finnish voice acting, new weapons, more hardcore mechanics than the base game, mostly bolt action rifles, character customization, ground vehicles, field guns, and a ton of Molotovs. Amazing game, I hope it keeps getting support!”
- “Bland, dull, and above all sluggish - attrition gameplay.”
- “Stupid matchmaking and gameplay along with lots of bugs!”
- “Map design is bad, gameplay is very static, and it's somehow harder to spot Finns in snow than VC in the jungle.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with players praising its engaging soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere and evokes strong emotions. Many users appreciate the unique blend of styles, noting that it contributes significantly to the overall experience, making it a highlight worth playing for.
- “Love the soundtrack!”
- “Only other thing to say is the soundtrack is really nice; the atmosphere it gives feels a lot more like a pointless war rather than 'hell yeah, we're in Vietnam!'”
- “The music immediately gave me PTSD.”
- “Everything from the map design to the custom soundtrack screams soul and gives off heavy Red Orchestra vibes.”
- “Music-wise, I love it.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, featuring atmospheric maps blanketed in snow, authentic voice acting, and a soundtrack that evokes a sense of somber realism. Players appreciate the combination of intense action and a wintery setting, which creates a unique ambiance reminiscent of historical conflicts. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it feel both engaging and reflective of its themes.
- “The Finnish and Russian voice acting is very atmospheric, and the cursing sounds awesome when combined with bursts of submachine gun fire.”
- “The wintery atmosphere and authentic voiceovers make you feel all warm and snugly inside.”
- “Only other thing to say is the soundtrack is really nice; the atmosphere it gives feels a lot more like a pointless war rather than 'hell yeah, we're in Vietnam!'”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics of the game are generally regarded as an improvement over Red Orchestra 2, offering better models and maps, though some players feel they are slightly outdated. Overall, the visuals are considered decent and enhance the gameplay experience, making it a suitable choice for fans of the original.
- “If you miss the good old Red Orchestra and want to try something new but similar, or just want to play a game like Red Orchestra but with better graphics, then this is for you.”
- “It's just like playing RO2 except with better graphics and maps.”
- “Very good conversion, very similar to Red Orchestra 2 except with better graphics.”
- “Some people said that graphics are slightly outdated, but I think they're decent enough for this type of game.”
- “Es good graphics models aren't great but still fun when this game gets no content now.”
- “Very good conversion, very similar to Red Orchestra 2 except with better graphics, some balancing will need to be done, and hopefully they add campaign mode!”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy and poorly implemented, with frequent freezes that can require a full laptop restart. While some players report minimal glitches, others experience significant issues, such as repetitive sound loops and graphical glitches, particularly with environmental elements like trees.
- “Buggy and poorly implemented.”
- “It freezes my laptop to the point where I need to restart my whole laptop.”
- “I don't know if this is because of my specs, but sometimes my game freezes for a second and makes a repetitive sound.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The optimization of the mod is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly overall, users report significant FPS drops, unoptimized maps, and various bugs, including stuttering and issues with artillery balance. Additionally, the need for adjustments in certain maps and the limited server locations contribute to a less than ideal experience.
- “I actually love this mod! It was a challenge to move it to storage with my RS2, and I had to uninstall and reinstall to get it to work. However, it still runs smoothly overall.”
- “Despite some issues with FPS drops and unoptimized maps, the game manages to maintain a decent level of performance.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even with multiple elements on screen.”
- “Lots of FPS drops and unoptimized maps; also, the artillery is just ridiculous.”
- “Some maps still need some tweaking (stuttering, radio bugs, artillery cooldown balance, map balance, etc.)”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The humor in the game is hit or miss; while some players find certain voiceovers amusingly bad, others feel the overall tone is too dull to be funny.
- “The voiceovers are hilariously bad.”
- “Funny man says 'perkele' and I can't stop laughing.”
- “It's a great game, don't get me wrong, but it's so dead it's not funny.”
- “The humor feels forced and falls flat most of the time.”
- “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”