Winter War
- July 15, 2020
- The Strategy Game Studio
Get on Steam"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.
Reviews
- The game offers a deep and realistic wargaming experience with well-represented factions and historical details.
- The interface is user-friendly and visually appealing, making it easy for players to navigate and enjoy the gameplay.
- The card system adds an interesting layer to the game mechanics, enhancing replayability and strategic depth.
- The AI is poorly designed, often failing to execute effective strategies, which detracts from the single-player experience.
- Some players find the game too scripted and lacking in challenge, particularly in single-player mode.
- There are bugs and issues with game mechanics, such as problems with saving and turn progression, which can disrupt gameplay.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its solid mechanics and engaging card system, which enhances the experience without unnecessary complexity. It offers a blend of historical accuracy and replayability, resembling a digital board game that is easy to learn but challenging to master, providing a deep tactical experience. Overall, players appreciate the balance of simplicity and depth, making it a worthy addition to the wargame genre.
“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.”
“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.”
“I still don't manage all the game mechanics, but with a few more hours of gameplay, it should be enough.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are highly praised for their technical quality, featuring well-designed maps and detailed unit visuals. The user interface is intuitive, contributing to a smooth and fast-paced gameplay experience.
“Technically, graphically, it's a great game.”
“Winter War has a nice map, high-quality graphics for the units, an easy-to-understand interface, and it plays fast.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's story is well-received for its engaging historical context, providing players with a clear and enjoyable narrative structure that involves acquiring new cards, launching air missions, and engaging in combat.
“I have no words; I truly enjoy this historical game's story.”
“The story feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The narrative is predictable and fails to offer any surprising twists.”
“Character development is shallow, leaving players disconnected from the story.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game evokes strong patriotic feelings and features a mix of hauntingly sad melodies that resonate deeply with players. Additionally, the inclusion of period newspaper clips enhances the overall atmosphere, although they are somewhat limited in number.
“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.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's replayability, noting that its board game-like mechanics, including cards and dice, allow for varied outcomes in battles with each playthrough. This design encourages multiple sessions, as each game can feel distinct.
“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.”
“Each session feels unique, thanks to the variety of strategies and choices available, making you want to dive back in for another round.”
“The random elements and diverse character builds ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.”
