Strategic Command: European Theatre

Grand Strategic Game of WWII in Europe

Strategic Command: European Theatre is a hex-based computer wargame in the classic mold with something of the feeling of games like Prados's Third Reich. Covering the entirety of the war with scenarios that allow you to start in each year from 1939 on, at a scale of 50 miles per hex, Strategic Command gives a solid feeling for the ebb and flow of the conflict.

One of Strategic Command's best features, and one that greatly improves its repeat playability, is the ability to turn on randomness for political events. Doing so means that countries other than Germany, France, and the UK declare war on a schedule that generally diverges from the actual events--so that, with luck, Germany might not face a war with Russia until later, or that Italy might not enter the war at all.

While this is in a sense ahistorical, because the result may look less like the historical war, in another sense it's a better simulation, because nobody in 1939 had any idea how things would actually transpire, and had to consider other possibilities. Strategic World War II games often have a feeling of sameness about them, the game balanced in such a way as to pretty much replicate the historical events in the historical timeframe, typically with only fairly minor strategic decisions to be made--e.g., as Germany, whether to try to invade England at the expense of building up troops for the ineveitable war with the Soviets, or as the Allies, attempting an invasion in the south of France rather than Normandy. Strategic Command is different because if its 'random' option--and thereby allows you to explore a variety of 'what if' scenarios that other games don't address.

This is a relatively simple wargame, one that should be accessible to people who are not grognards (hardcore wargamers), at least those with the patience to read a manual and deal with the strategic complexitities of a turn-based game. Grognards may miss some features of more complicated games, but will find in Strategic Command a good, clean, fast-playing game of the war in Europe--at a very reasonable price.

The Developer Says

Strategic Command - European Theater is WWII Grand Strategy at its best. As the supreme commander of the Axis or Allied forces, the player shapes the fates of the nations at war during the Second World War in Europe.

Political options, research and upgrade of equipment, management of supply and resources and the strategic employment of one's armed forces are some of the keys to success.

With limited phase restrictions and wide open turns you are in complete control to try many different approaches and entertain just as many possible outcomes. The future of Europe and perhaps ultimate glory is in your hands.

Game Play

There are 6 major campaigns to play from either the Allied or Axis side and each begins at a key moment in history and lasts until you achieve ultimate victory or surrender in devastating defeat. Begin in 1939, on the eve of the German invasion of Poland or 1940 as the Axis turn their eyes toward the Low Countries and France. Launch Operation Barbarossa in 1941 in the East or start in the summer of 1942 as the Germans aim to clear the Volga and capture Stalingrad and key resources in the South. Take command in 1943 during the Kursk offensive or prepare for the Allied invasion of Fortress Europa in 1944.

Rewrite history by snatching complete victory early or fight to the bitter end throughout 1945 and beyond.

Game play is turn based with each turn lasting from 1 week up to 1 month depending on the season. Designed for replayability and realism, options include fog of war, Free French forces, Russian and Yugoslavian Partisans, scorched earth strategies, war in Siberia and thoroughly implemented features for sea transport, amphibious assaults, strategic bombing, industrial production, research and development, declarations of war, historical and random nation neutrality and allegiances as well as other political mechanisms.

Map

The scale is 50 miles per hex with a total area that stretches horizontally from the east coast of North America to the Ural Mountains in Russia, and vertically from just below the Arctic Circle to the north coast of Africa. All major terrain types have been covered, including cities, ports, rivers, mountains, marshes and forests with the addition of color coordinated hexes for each country's zone of control. Particular attention has also been paid to the recreation of items such as the mid-Atlantic gap and even the stubborn natural defenses of Stalingrad's river systems.

Units

Players have the ability to command the forces of 25 Different Nations (6 major and 19 minor), including Germany, USA, USSR, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Finland and many more.

Unit Types cover all the major facets of land, sea and air combat including HQs with true to life historical personalities, Corps, Armies, Tank Groups, Rocket Detachments, Air Fleets, Strategic Bombers, Battleships, Cruisers, Carriers, Subs and Transports. Each unit is shown with historically accurate names like "6th Army" and include significant values for combat strength, readiness, supply, entrenchment, experience and associated commander ratings.

Artificial Intelligence

With options to set the overall difficulty and computer experience bonuses, the sophisticated AI will not only target your strategic resources but will also plan military offensives to wipe out your forces in the field. It fully implements the smallest details from conducting its own research to declarations of war. Leave your borders unprotected and the AI will definitely make you pay the price!

Intelligence Reports

Report tables keep track of all game statistics including current military strengths, the number of resources for all combatants, and even the total combat losses for both sides.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer options include Hotseat, Play-by-Email and full LAN and Internet play via TCP/IP.

Campaign Editor

An easy to use Campaign Editor is included to create many "what-if" type campaigns. Draw up your own plans for a late Axis invasion of England or perhaps an early Allied assault on the soft underbelly of Europe, and watch them come to life. Campaigns can begin as early as September 1, 1939 and last until 1947. This is the same tool used to create the Campaigns that come with the game.