Steel Division 2

A historically accurate and impressively realistic simulation of WWII mechanized combat warfare, Steel Division 2 is just what every fan of RTS games and vintage mechanics has always dreamed of. With an outstanding scope and awe-inspiring visuals, this is as good as the RTS genre gets.

Featuring some of the most impressive battles you’ll ever see in an RTS title, Steel Division 2 prides itself in the complexity of its mechanics. Whether or not you’re willing to spend multiple play sessions learning the ins and outs of everything that can be done in this game will determine your enjoyment in the long run.

Massive Campaign

Steel Division 2 hits the sweet spot between casual RTS games like Age of Empires and Rise of Nations, and the more complex grand strategy titles such as Hearts of Iron 4. It is still a great simulation of World War II-era warfare, but don’t expect the level of political intrigue that you might see in some of the more technical titles.

What you can expect, however, is massive battles with an unparalleled sense of scope and dynamism. Thanks to the game’s impressive 1:1 battlefields, encounters look as realistic as they come, delivering the ultimate tactical warfare experience for history buffs.

New to the sequel is the Army General mode: similar to what we’ve seen in games such as Rome: Total War, this mode lets the player link a series of single RTS encounters into a massive war campaign. In the end, it’s just a more story-heavy version of Age of Empire’s Skirmish mode. This mode, more than the rest of the game, definitely steals the show. Being able to “justify” your quick gaming sessions into the context of a custom campaign works great, especially if you’re playing multiplayer.

Team Tactics

Due to the game’s massive battlefields, playing multiplayer becomes somewhat of a necessity. You can definitely play the game by yourself, but the amounts of micromanaging needed to do so are through the roof. Having a group of friends, each one focusing on a specific part of the battlefield, will let you enjoy better what Steel Division 2 has to offer.

When it comes to the game’s online component, the developers seem to be taking criticism of the previous entry quite seriously. Playing online feels great, and it’s mostly thanks to a revised net code and the vast array of multiplayer options to enjoy.

From massive 10 vs 10 battles to co-op campaigns, Steel Division 2 is better with friends. The solo mode can still be loads of fun, especially playing Army General mode, but the real game begins once you go online.

However, keep in mind that most of the game’s mechanics can be daunting for new players. You’ll spend hours upon hours just learning how everything works, so be ready to read tons of documentation and watch hours of tutorials to properly understand how everything operates in Steel Division 2. This is not a game for players looking for an action-packed WWII sim, but it definitely might be the one to get if you’re into grand strategy games and love the entire 1940s aesthetic.

Pros

• Revamped visuals look more realistic than ever in the series
• Amazing 1:1 battlefields
• Army General mode is a blast, especially in multiplayer

Cons

• Not very enjoyable in singleplayer
• Complicated menus and stats might be daunting for beginners