Great Battles of WW2: Stalingrad

For All intents and purposes, Stalingrad is a mod for Nival Interactive's WWII stalwart, Blitzkrieg. The isometric engine is the same, the combat-focused gameplay is the same and the graphics are indistinguishable to the untrained eye. Indeed, perhaps the most distinctive part of the whole package is the incongruous rock/heavy metal soundtrack, which provides a very strange counterpoint to the sight of Russians and Germans fighting it out on the icy Steppes.

Other differences between this and Blitzkrieg are hard to spot. Stalingrad boasts greater historical accuracy and the interface has been slightly redesigned, but otherwise it's a largely familiar affair. As such, incredibly tough missions are the order of the day, as you battle superior forces with a limited number of units. Recon, repair and resupply form a trinity of strategic imperatives, though even the most incisive general will eventually have to fall back on trial and error.

With such a proven blueprint to work from, the game could hardly help but be competent, and it delivers an experience just as enjoyable, or slightly less enjoyable, than Blitzkrieg. If that's something that interests you, Stalingrad is a solid option and cheap enough to almost overlook its pre-loved origins.