Terminal Conflict
- September 24, 2020
- Strategy Mill
- 106h median play time
Get on Steam"Terminal Conflict" is a strategic Cold War simulator, where players manage the military and political resources of the US or Soviet Union. Launch satellites, deploy special operations, and negotiate treaties to gain an edge in the arms race. Can you avoid a nuclear apocalypse and win the battle for global influence?
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and engaging take on Cold War strategy, with a lot of depth and replayability.
- The user interface is visually appealing and reminiscent of late Cold War computer terminals, enhancing the overall experience.
- The developers are responsive and actively working on updates, showing commitment to improving the game.
- The game feels unfinished, with numerous bugs, crashes, and a lack of clear tutorials, making it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics.
- Multiplayer mode is largely inactive, and the AI can be easily beaten, reducing the challenge for experienced players.
- The humor and dialogue from the narrator can be off-putting and detracts from the serious tone of the game.
- gameplay32 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Gameplay in this title presents a unique take on grand strategy, particularly in its 1v1 format between the USSR and USA, but it suffers from opaque mechanics and a lack of clear tutorials, making it challenging for new players. While the game has depth and can be engaging, especially in multiplayer, many users find the AI lacking and the overall mechanics somewhat boring or poorly balanced. Despite these issues, the historical context and core concepts are appreciated, suggesting that the game may grow on players over time.
“Different than what I expected, but this game definitely grows on you, though the mechanics can be a bit opaque.”
“The logic and mechanics of the game take a bit of getting used to, which is due to the game's rather novel take on some things, but it seems to have a lot of depth and gives an engaging gaming experience that should appeal to strategy gamers.”
“The gameplay itself is a unique take on grand strategy with a 1v1 format with two factions representing the USSR and the USA.”
“The actual game mechanics are pretty boring, and the only reason I was able to power through and play even as little as I did was because of the Cold War setting.”
“It would benefit from a more detailed tutorial, as a lot of the mechanics are not explained that well and the objectives are sometimes a bit vague.”
“Good UI, terrible balance and gameplay decisions.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as simple yet functional, reminiscent of early 1980s computer aesthetics, which some players find appealing. However, there are significant issues with bugs and graphical glitches, leading to high RAM usage and crashes, detracting from the overall experience.
“The graphics are fantastic and sober.”
“Graphically, the game is very simple, evoking the aesthetics of early 1980's computer tech.”
“Simple but functional mechanics and graphics.”
“From the start, there are already bugs and graphical glitches: it uses over 5 GB of RAM and keeps growing until it crashes back to the desktop.”
“Graphically, the game is very simple, evoking the aesthetics of early 1980s computer technology.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game is highly praised for its replayability, with users noting that it offers a dynamic experience influenced by random elements and strategic choices, particularly in its Cold War simulation. Players appreciate the engaging decision-making and the variety of outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“Really entertaining game that offers a lot of replayability.”
“Definitely recommend seeing the replayability, citing the Twilight Struggle RNG regarding turn focus theaters.”
“This could be a very, very good Cold War simulation, one with tremendous replayability and a lot of nail-biting decision making and challenging fun.”
- humor4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely criticized, with many players finding the narrator's attempts at comedy to be painfully unfunny and resulting in awkward dialogue. This detracts from the overall experience, leading some to suggest that a more serious approach could improve the game's appeal.
“The narrator robot is painfully unfunny and leads to awkward, unnecessary dialogue prompts.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting persistent bugs and graphical glitches that lead to excessive RAM usage exceeding 5 GB, ultimately resulting in crashes to the desktop.
“From the start, there are already bugs and graphical glitches. The game uses over 5 GB of RAM and keeps growing until it crashes back to the desktop.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is criticized for being overly reliant on heavy-handed homage, featuring a somewhat cheesy and annoying narrative centered around an AI designed to handle Cold War complexities and its mysterious, presumed-dead creator. This approach detracts from the overall experience for some players.
“The homage goes too far and is constantly woven through everything with a heavy-handed, somewhat cheesy, and annoying storyline involving an AI created to manage the terrible complexities and responsibilities of Cold War strategic, operational, and tactical decisions, along with its enigmatic and presumed dead designer.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy, which included Facebook ads and early access for streamers, has been criticized for lacking effective outreach and engagement, particularly due to the choice of lesser-known streamers.
