All Quiet in the Trenches

Tried it out for an hour and a half and though the idea is nice and everything the combat is just so underwhelming and frustrating. Despite orders the soldiers are not firing or doing anything most of the time, it all feels heavily scripted and choices have little consequences. And I wanted to enjoy it as I like very much the setting and the systems but I can't care for the soldiers if the climax of the game is just this uneventful slog with no fireshot but a lot of ammunition spent... I might try later in development to come back to it but the devs need to implement "fun" stuff for the player I think. Management of scarce ressources and tough choices are hightened when you get some sort of rewards or bad consequences from time to time and I would enjoy a game between rest at camp and action if... there was a little action.

Not really interesting

I didn't think initially I would enjoy this game however I was pleasantly surprised as I jumped in, to find the mechanics, story telling, depth and RNG elements were exactly what I would have expected. The base game, for my first playthrough I found relatively average in terms of difficulty, with only 1 warfare stage mission failure (which even that shocked me as that particular battle, I simply mismanaged my ammunition against more troops than I could take on, and an enemy machine gun was wrecking havoc upon the advance). From the tactics you employ on the field, to the management in the headquarters camp, to the choices you make, this is one of those unique indie games and I give the developers full credit for creating something so awesome. You feel attached to each soldier, some irritate you, some you like, some you are neutral, but as you progress through the game, every decision you make, it does feel relevant. Do you prioritise taking out that enemy sniper, for relief of your troops as they re-build their defences in the trenches, where an attack is imminent? Or do you hunker down instead and hope for the best when the attack comes? Do you prioritise your camp and troop needs, the field hospital is filling up with injured soldiers, but oh, that blasted lieutenant has decided to give you a large task in the middle of it, shall I call in a favour from him to give my men some relief and divert the task to another unit so I can focus on the above? Or do I risk the Senior Nurse becoming overwhelmed and thus reducing my own men's recovery time before the next offensive? I really hope they continue to expand on the re-playability, rng and systems up to release and potentially beyond. If there is one thing I would perhaps ask, which I think would add to the immersion, the sense of belonging for the player, and that personal attachment beyond what already exists, is to add the player "officer" to the actual game itself, allowing the player to feel very present and also vulnerable too. It would make the player feel that they are present in the world, rather than from a "god" like perspective, whilst still retaining that over arching strategy layer and command. Similarly, adding officers to other squads would again add to the immersion of them being led. Overall devs, definitely get your money's worth from what is offered :) Awesome stuff and the message from the experience provided in representing the War during WW1 comes across very well.

Good!

Let me set the scene, Fall of 1916(no idea what difficulty I'm on, or if there is one, my first playthrough) My contingent of 6 men are cream of the regular crop. Medics, melee and firearms trained and proficient. With a camaraderie to match the elites of old. Over the last two years, lotze was lost during a risky assault to suppress and neutralize a MG nest. To add, he was more than avenged. And penderson? Something of the like, deserted the men. Never liked him, and his replacement was certainly an upgrade. But otherwise the men have maintained cohesion. It has been hard, they have seen a lot. But they have endured. And their feats are quite the tale. They've taken over a dozen prisoners after subduing them, killed and wounded closer to a dozen and a half more. Taken multiple mg nests and rooted out and charged, beaten back many french contingents. They've completed every objective set out by the lieutenant on the Field despite the risks. And save for the first engagement we retreated from and the first failed counterattack(we did our part by the way) We haven't lost since. We are the lieutenants crack troops and he respects us. The unterofficier, an interesting fellow. Values camaraderie, an empathetic sort, but also remains dutiful, firm and just. Protective of his men and will defend them from the lieutenant. But will hold them accountable for conduct in camp and In battle. This game is brilliant. It feels so grounded in many ways and despite a few bugs. I love it. I can imagine this group, including the unterofficier actually existing. The game isn't especially hard, unless I'm playing on easy or normal or something. But it does require proper planning, and is optimized for a certain way of thinking. You can help others, it's good to do so and it's beneficial. But besides the battle objective and the readiness and willingness of your men. Do not concern yourself with winning the war. You have an objective in battle, do it and let the test of the company do theirs. If they fail, it has no impact on your standing. You did your job. Take opportunities, scavenge, charge, chase and consolidate. Just think it through and weight the risks. Most likely one of the best games I've played in long time. Well done

I really enjoyed this game, a bit like herding cats but you really start caring for your rag tag team, playing to their strengths and weaknesses. Could be enhanced with promotions, assassinations, Mutinies, executions. put on a show, brothel, syphilis, ambush, demolition/booby traps. There is so much scope. The Graphics really suit the gameplay.

A game about trying to survive your ♥♥♥♥♥♥ boss with a cool side minigame about fighting in WW1