Having always been a big (I mean seriously big) World War 2 fan I decided to take the plunge and grab this when it wasn't on sale. While I do love turn based games I have never really played something that has this grand of a scope on this scale in a war game setting. That being said lets dive in to this beast

Plot: For a game that simulates both smaller operations/battles and its Grand Historical Campaign in the Eastern Front between The Axis Powers and Russia there really isn't much of a plot.This is quite frankly a game of the poor bloody soldiers,tanks and artillery, so no there is no super soldiers or special missions this is war plain and simple.So can you keep history the same with Russia Crushing Axis forces or can you do what didn't happen and crush Russia instead? So with that being said I can't really detract from a lack of plot for a strategic war game.

Graphics: As this pretty much simulates a "board game" the game is played on a static map (that is actually rather impressive to look at) with little Icon "Wargame Chit" counters for your troops. Which while is simplistic and helps convey a decent amount of info I feel the counters could show alot more informaton akin to more classic war games like Advanced Squad Leader or Panzercorps in terms in a simplier way than looking at info tabs

Sound: The sound is incredibly minimalist with sound effects during battle resolution steps, troop movement etc but it conveys the action enough that you can easily pick up the audio cue when the opponent has performed a certain action. The musical score is rather impressive for a war game that helps keep the tension of the conflict going

Control: I ended up playing most of the game with just a mouse though there are keyboard short cuts. overall the controls aren't overly complex and are actually rather intuitive for a war game that is of this scale

Gameplay: The gameplay is totally turnbased in a I go You go method. When ever control returns to you, you will be given an overview of what the other side did unit by unit (Soooo that means if you are playing the grand campaign if your turn takes you nearly 1 hour or more to complete expect the AI to take that long if not longer as well (180 or so hours of my play time was JUST doing the grand campaign ONCE))

Each piece on the board represents down to the company/division so expect ALOT of counter movment each turn as you juggle movement,resource and resupply lines as you advance on the enemy.

And if you don't want to fight the AI there is Slitherines PBEM Server where you can match make with someone, play your turn, your file will be uploaded for you to the server where your opponent can take their turn then return the save state back to you. (Yes that time crunch I mentioned earlier is still there as well hence my suggestion that if you have someone to play with do one of the small 3-20 turn games)

I do HIGHLY recommend that you at least keep the manual up and open while playing if anything so you have it ready for a reference tool.

Accessability: Here we go time to address the big white elephant in the room.

It's learning curve is alot easier than say hearts of iron,war in the Pacific or even command but trust me its not as scary as it looks although the tutorial action was easy to get through (The second time I did it but only because I was reading the tutorial booklet alongside it while playing.)So please please save yourself a headache or desperation and read the tutorial booklet and play the tutorial it will cover EVERY major system in the game and the booklet is written out in a very friendly and inviting manner kind of like that old D&D vet who shows you how to play and makes it fun for you to keep wanting to play

Overall Thoughts: This has to be hands down the game I've been looking for that scratches the itch of a in depth and massive wargame.

Yes this game looks daunting it looks difficult but it's really not. The AI is challenging yes but it's a manageable challenge.Yes the price is very very steep but it's worth it if you can find it on sale or are willing to drop 80 for it.

Wargame Score 8/10 For Sound,Gameplay,Plot (lack there of) and Accessability. Points detracted for Graphics.

Having always been a big (I mean seriously big) World War 2 fan I decided to take the plunge and grab this when it wasn't on sale. While I do love turn based games I have never really played something that has this grand of a scope on this scale in a war game setting. That being said lets dive in to this beast Plot: For a game that simulates both smaller operations/battles and its Grand Historical Campaign in the Eastern Front between The Axis Powers and Russia there really isn't much of a plot.This is quite frankly a game of the poor bloody soldiers,tanks and artillery, so no there is no super soldiers or special missions this is war plain and simple.So can you keep history the same with Russia Crushing Axis forces or can you do what didn't happen and crush Russia instead? So with that being said I can't really detract from a lack of plot for a strategic war game. Graphics: As this pretty much simulates a "board game" the game is played on a static map (that is actually rather impressive to look at) with little Icon "Wargame Chit" counters for your troops. Which while is simplistic and helps convey a decent amount of info I feel the counters could show alot more informaton akin to more classic war games like Advanced Squad Leader or Panzercorps in terms in a simplier way than looking at info tabs Sound: The sound is incredibly minimalist with sound effects during battle resolution steps, troop movement etc but it conveys the action enough that you can easily pick up the audio cue when the opponent has performed a certain action. The musical score is rather impressive for a war game that helps keep the tension of the conflict going Control: I ended up playing most of the game with just a mouse though there are keyboard short cuts. overall the controls aren't overly complex and are actually rather intuitive for a war game that is of this scale Gameplay: The gameplay is totally turnbased in a I go You go method. When ever control returns to you, you will be given an overview of what the other side did unit by unit (Soooo that means if you are playing the grand campaign if your turn takes you nearly 1 hour or more to complete expect the AI to take that long if not longer as well (180 or so hours of my play time was JUST doing the grand campaign ONCE)) Each piece on the board represents down to the company/division so expect ALOT of counter movment each turn as you juggle movement,resource and resupply lines as you advance on the enemy. And if you don't want to fight the AI there is Slitherines PBEM Server where you can match make with someone, play your turn, your file will be uploaded for you to the server where your opponent can take their turn then return the save state back to you. (Yes that time crunch I mentioned earlier is still there as well hence my suggestion that if you have someone to play with do one of the small 3-20 turn games) I do HIGHLY recommend that you at least keep the manual up and open while playing if anything so you have it ready for a reference tool. Accessability: Here we go time to address the big white elephant in the room. It's learning curve is alot easier than say hearts of iron,war in the Pacific or even command but trust me its not as scary as it looks although the tutorial action was easy to get through (The second time I did it but only because I was reading the tutorial booklet alongside it while playing.)So please please save yourself a headache or desperation and read the tutorial booklet and play the tutorial it will cover EVERY major system in the game and the booklet is written out in a very friendly and inviting manner kind of like that old D&D vet who shows you how to play and makes it fun for you to keep wanting to play Overall Thoughts: This has to be hands down the game I've been looking for that scratches the itch of a in depth and massive wargame. Yes this game looks daunting it looks difficult but it's really not. The AI is challenging yes but it's a manageable challenge.Yes the price is very very steep but it's worth it if you can find it on sale or are willing to drop 80 for it. Wargame Score 8/10 For Sound,Gameplay,Plot (lack there of) and Accessability. Points detracted for Graphics.