Men of War II

• DEVELOPER: Best Way
• PUBLISHER: Fulqrum Publishing
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: RTS
• RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 44,99 €
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Men of War II, developed by Ukrainian studio Best Way, is the eagerly awaited sequel to the original Men of War (2009). After a series of spin-offs between 2009 and 2019, this game returns to the core of the franchise, focusing on World War II with expanded storylines and deeper strategic gameplay. I haven’t played all the games from Best Way, so my perspective on this game will be more or less subjective. First, let’s explore the content offered in this game, which is priced at 44.99€.

A lot of content to grasp

I was definitely surprised by the amount of content to grasp and learn, making this game more challenging for newcomers, while experienced players might approach it differently. There are three main campaigns, each featuring a different faction: USSR, U.S., and Germany. Each campaign includes six major missions filled with dynamic triggers and cutscenes. For example, the German campaign features protagonists with backstories and character development and completing these campaigns rewards you with multiplayer units. The game also includes two historical operations campaigns with seven missions each, offering more flexible and historically accurate gameplay. Additionally, there are six bonus missions for extra variety.

There are in fact two modes available, catering to different preferences. Conquest mode is a fully functional and engaging option that allows for customized unit load-outs, upgraded through research and currency earned from battles. It constantly shifts players between attack and defense, creating a more dynamic experience. On the other hand, raid missions offer procedurally generated missions across four fronts, featuring short, dynamic campaigns with 16 missions each. This mode adds a roguelike twist to conquest, where you battle through a series of progressively harder, randomized maps.

In addition to all the mentioned features, all content supports seamless cooperative play. You can invite friends directly into your team and switch between different game modes without the hassle of setting up separate lobbies or manually saving progress. Men of War II includes three multiplayer factions, three PvP modes, and 15 doctrines per faction, featuring hundreds of units. I really loved this feature because it allowed my friends and me to easily join and play together without any complications. However, I was definitely confused by the always-online requirement. The first time I booted the game and tried playing the tutorial, I was puzzled by the need to enter a specific server.

Gameplay

Where do I even start? I had mixed experiences with the game’s AI. Sometimes it made odd decisions, but other times it surprised me with its effective reactions. However, units do automatically prioritize higher threats, with infantry focusing on enemies and anti-tank units efficiently targeting tanks. I had no issues with the UI, which allows you to edit shortcuts and provides clear indicators for unit visibility. Men of War II also excels in trenching and defense systems. You can design custom trench shapes and positions, using real WWII trench manuals for optimal defense against artillery barrages. Engineers can build bunkers, mines, traps, medical tents, and supply depots, all contributing to a robust defensive strategy.

The graphics in Men of War II have not significantly improved since previous titles, and the voice acting lacks emotion. For a game that took over a decade to make, the lack of a major graphical leap is disappointing. However, I can’t deny that the game looks quite good as it is, and I appreciate the detailed representation of everything from infantry equipment to tanks, inventory, and uniforms. The realistic terrain and battlefield conditions, along with the reenactment of significant WWII events and tactics, enhanced the immersive and authentic experience of the game. Most of the story is presented through brief paragraphs before each mission. The characters are not very developed, and there’s little narrative between missions.

Unlike other RTS games where moving troops feels tedious, every move here is significant, eliminating downtime and making each action impactful. The excellent map design encourages using the environment creatively, turning any terrain feature into a potential battleground. Another notable feature is the ability to control individual soldiers within a battalion, each with their own items and abilities.

Adapting quickly is crucial, as battles can become chaotic. I initially struggled with the numerous icons and mechanics, but repeated play gradually made everything clearer. Men of War II wisely limits unit spawns, encouraging careful strategizing with limited resources. However, stealth kills can be awkward, as enemies sometimes ignore their surroundings unrealistically. Playing against real people was more fun because they are unpredictable and use unexpected tactics, making them more challenging than computer-controlled enemies.

How will the developers try to improve the game?

I did experience bugs, crashes, and general instability, along with long loading times. However, the developers have promised improvements. Recently, modding tools were added to the game, and I hope the developers continue to support the community rather than relying on them. An update scheduled for the end of May will include bug fixes, server stability improvements, and the first steps towards an offline single-player mode. Future updates will focus on enhancing camera movement, adding competitive and realism settings, implementing Steam achievements, improving multiplayer server stability, addressing various bugs, and providing better modding tools.

Hopefully, the developers can make the game satisfying for everyone. In the end, I’m unsure how to rate this game due to my mixed feelings. The core gameplay is good enough but has its ups and downs. If you’re a fan of the series and love strategy games, I suggest you to try it, as you can spend hours playing it. However, it might be worth waiting for more updates and fixes before diving in or perhaps wait a proper discount before you decide to get the game.

Review copy provided by the publisher

3.8