A New, Brutal WW1 Strategy Game - The Great War: Western Front

The Great War: Western Front releases today, and it's probably one of the most brutal and unforgiving real-time strategy games I've ever played... which is very, very appropriate for World War 1! Trench warfare requires completely different tactics, sending thousands of men to their deaths to secure just a few more inches on the battlefield amidst the endless rain of artillery shells. In fact, the game is so brutal that there's already some controversy surrounding the game, suggesting that the AI must surely be cheating (a claim the devs have refuted). Is this just a skill issue, and players have to adjust their expectations and approach to better match WW1? Or is the realism taking away from the fun with seemingly pointless, repetitive, bloody battles that barely move the front line? In this video, I show off most of the features of the game, and discuss my thoughts.

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No copyright infringement intended. The Great War: Western Front copyright is owned by their respective owners which includes but is not limited to Petroglyph Games and Frontier Foundry. I did not make the game (or assets) and do not claim to. I do claim recording the gameplay and associated commentary.

Music credit:

"Doo Dat Wah"
by Jules Gaia

#ww1 #strategy #rts

[JeremyDA]

After so many years of WW2 being dominant in video games, it's really good to see its predecessor getting its time in the sun 😊

[lachlangoll]

When Pravus complains that his units “forgets” to enter a trench when the trench clear shows it already has two of his units in it already

[Timidor]

Just a note, at about 24:30 when you're talking about units getting stuck in the trenches, you can only ever have two units in a trench. This includes movement and attacks, so if you order 3 units to assault one trench, you'll have one unit that chills outside it and gets killed quickly. The bit that took me longer to figure out is that if you have to units in a trench, other units can't move past that trench and stay in the trenches. They'll get to that trench and then pop out and usually get killed.

The controls are definitely finicky and it's way too easy to misclick and people will leave a trench and get shot until I can tell them to get back in it, but I've had fewer issues with troops dying due to misbehaving once I started either keeping just one unit in a trench so units can get past or keeping two units but moving the whole line so the first trench goes and the other trenches take the vacated trench (so the whole mass of troops sort of caterpillars down the trench line without every trying to pass each other).

[davidavila]

Please do a series on this. It is such an interesting game that shows the brutality of war

[Dr_Handsoms]

I have to say, the stagnant aspect of WW1 makes it a really tricky game to make “fun” for the average player. It helps if you have an understanding or interest of the topic for sure. I’m definitely going to keep this one on my radar.

[fabiogamer]

This is why most games are not trying to get that much more realistic. I like realism, but I'm not that good at those games. That's why I watch you. Praise Pravus

[samueltrusik]

Trenches: The game.
The ultimate grind.

[bradw]

The suppression artillery you're probably facing is a possible upgrade that the A.I. took at the beginning of the game allowing for complete suppression as oppose to partial suppression.

[warbrain]

Praise pravus! Everyone reading this comment have a nice day :)

[thetrueliar]

He is correct WW1 was a war counted in inches as the game says in its opening. This war was truly like no other as the price of a mile was around 6, 000 lives. It was truly dark.

[GuardianAcky]

This might be grindy for this channel but I would love to see a full campaign, or at least Pravus play through the challenge missions

[Ircos]

I am so happy you're starting a series with this game. I hope to see more in the future :D

[myrecmnd]

there are not many ww1 strategy games, since my last ww 1 rts games, the entente. but this one looks potential and promising,

[thekpt]

I've been looking for a game like this where it's got the action plus grand strategy, especially WW1 themed

[chiefimpartial]

Such a good succinct and informative overview/display of the basic mechanics and game. Top notch mate, very informatiove

[touch_of_cobalt]

17:26

Melchett: Field Marshal Haig has formulated a brilliant new tactical plan to ensure final victory in the field.
Blackadder: Ah. Would this brilliant plan involve us climbing out of our trenches and walking very slowly towards the enemy?
Captain Darling: How could you possibly know that, Blackadder? It’s classified information!
Blackadder: It’s the same plan that we used last time and the seventeen times before that.
Melchett: Exactly! And that is what is so brilliant about it! It will catch the watchful Hun totally off guard! Doing precisely what we’ve done eighteen times before is exactly the last thing they’ll expect us to do this time! There is, however, one small problem.
Blackadder: That everyone always gets slaughtered in the first ten seconds.
Melchett: That’s right. And Field Marshal Haig is worried this may be depressing the men a tad. So he’s looking for a way to cheer them up.
Blackadder: Well, his resignation and suicide seems the obvious choice.
Melchett: Hmm, interesting thought. Make a note of it, Darling.

[extinctionempire]

I’d enjoy a lot more of this. Maybe even a whole series of Lord Commander Pravus changing history and completely crushing the enemy!

[MrAdamArce]

This reminds me of Shogun: Total War. It's a little clunky in some places, but the core gameplay looks fun. This is what a lot of people have wanted CA to do for awhile

[Kaarl_Mills]

This sounds perfect, since I tend to play most RTS games like they're WWI anyways: flatten everything that moves with arty, mop up whatever I missed

[darkhawk]

I think the reason WW1 isn’t as represented in gaming is because it’s really just depressing. Mud and death, with no real point or purpose.