Winter War

About

"Winter War" is a turn-based strategy game set in the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union. Players choose sides, with the Soviets having numerous but poorly organized forces and the Finns having superior quality and defensive positions. The game's 16 turns represent one week each from December 1939 to March 1940, and event cards provide full replayability with various diplomatic, military, and political situations. The balance of power shifts as both sides face potential weaknesses and the uncertainty of Stalin's resolve.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

The game features a solid and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both new and experienced players.
It offers a unique and engaging historical perspective on the Winter War, with well-represented factions and gameplay mechanics that reflect the conflict's realities.
The card system adds depth to the gameplay without overcomplicating it, enhancing the overall experience.

The AI is poorly designed, often failing to execute effective strategies, which detracts from the single-player experience.
There are some bugs and issues with game mechanics, such as problems with saving and turn progression that can disrupt gameplay.
The campaign can feel overly scripted and lacks the depth and challenge that some players expect from a wargame.

gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The gameplay is praised for its solid mechanics and engaging card system, which enhances the experience without unnecessary complexity. Players appreciate the historical accuracy and the replayability offered by different factions, noting that while the game is easy to learn, mastering its depth requires time and practice. Overall, it provides a fun and tactical experience that deserves more recognition.
- “Game mechanics are good and the card system adds to the game without complicating it needlessly.”
- “Gameplay is fun, relatively easy to learn (read scenario description), but hard to master.”
- “I still don't manage all the game mechanics, but with a few more hours of gameplay, it will be enough.”
- “The gameplay at first sight looks like a digitalized board game with cards and dice that offer good replayability and (theoretically) also a different outcome of the battles each playthrough.”
- “Both sides in conflict are represented true to history, and gameplay with the Finns will be a much different affair from the Soviet one.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics in the game are highly praised for their technical quality, featuring a visually appealing map and well-designed unit graphics. The interface is user-friendly, contributing to a smooth and fast gameplay experience.
- “Winter War has a nice map, high-quality graphics for the units, an easy-to-understand interface, and it plays fast.”
- “Technically, graphically, it's a great game.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's story is highly praised for its engaging historical context, providing players with an enjoyable narrative experience. The gameplay follows a structured routine that includes acquiring new cards, launching air missions, and engaging in combat, which complements the storytelling.
- “I have no words; I truly enjoy this historical game's story.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game evokes strong patriotic feelings and features hauntingly beautiful melodies that enhance the emotional depth of the experience. While the inclusion of period newspaper clips is limited, they complement the overall atmosphere created by the poignant soundtrack.
- “The music is appropriately sad and haunting to the soul, for the most part, and the period newspaper clips, while not that numerous, are excellent.”
- “Patriotic feelings as well and the fact that it starts playing some songs in the game is amazing.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's replayability, noting that its digital board game mechanics, including cards and dice, allow for varied outcomes in battles with each playthrough. This design encourages multiple sessions, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The gameplay at first glance resembles a digitalized board game with cards and dice, offering great replayability and the potential for different outcomes in battles with each playthrough.”