Men of War II Review

Men of War II is based on a franchise that has carved a niche for itself within the real-time tactics (RTT) genre. The original Men of War, released in 2009, established itself with a focus on granular unit control and a brutal, unforgiving depiction of combat. Men of War II, aimed to build upon this foundation by introducing new features and campaigns set on both World War II’s Eastern and Western Fronts. However, Men of War II stumbles in its execution. While the core gameplay offers a strategic challenge for genre lovers, the game is weighed down by a weak narrative, presentation issues, and many bugs.

A Missed Opportunity

The story in Men of War II fails to capture the weight of its historical setting. The campaign missions lack a cohesive narrative thread, opting for a disjointed series of objectives. Players are given little context beyond the immediate goals at hand, squandering the rich potential for a story-driven campaign. Imagine commanding a squad of Soviet soldiers through the desperate defense of Stalingrad, or leading American troops on a daring beach landing at Normandy. These are the types of immersive experiences that Men of War II could have delivered, but instead, the focus remains solely on the tactical battles themselves, devoid of the human drama that unfolds within the larger conflict.

Dated Presentation Undermines the Atmosphere

Visually, Men of War II fails to impress. The graphics, while functional, are behind the curve compared to contemporary titles. Environments lack the detail and texture necessary to create a truly immersive atmosphere. Battlefields can feel sterile, with bombed-out buildings appearing more like generic textures than the ravaged husks of war. Likewise, animations can appear unconvincing, taking away from the impact of combat. This lack of visual polish detracts from the overall experience, particularly for players who expect a more modern presentation from their strategy games.

Men of War II is infested with Bugs

Despite these shortcomings, Men of War II boasts some interesting features. The game offers a high degree of unit control, allowing players to meticulously manage individual squads down to the level of individual soldiers. Imagine flanking an enemy position with a small team or using a lone sniper to disrupt enemy reinforcements. This level of granularity offers a depth of tactical possibilities for players who relish the challenge of micromanaging their forces. Additionally, the inclusion of a dynamic campaign system with branching objectives injects some replayability. Players can approach the same scenarios from different angles, leading to potentially different outcomes. Perhaps in one playthrough, you choose to hold a key position with dogged determination, while another time you might opt for a daring armored thrust to break through enemy lines.

Unfortunately, the gameplay experience is marred by technical shortcomings. Bugs and glitches can disrupt the flow of combat, forcing players to reload checkpoints or even restart missions entirely. Imagine carefully positioning your troops for an ambush, only to have them glitch out and wander into the enemy fire due to a pathfinding bug. The pathfinding AI for friendly units can be frustratingly obtuse, with soldiers getting stuck on scenery or failing to follow basic commands. The game also leans heavily on micromanagement, which can sometimes feel tedious, especially when dealing with large numbers of units. While some players may enjoy control over every soldier, others may find it a chore that detracts from the strategic decision-making of maneuvering entire battalions and planning large-scale assaults.

Men of War II Needs Polishing

Men of War II is a game with potential, but it fails to live up to its promise in its current state. The core gameplay offers a strategic challenge for veterans of the genre, but the weak story, dated visuals, and technical problems hold it back. With significant bug fixes, pathfinding improvements, and a less micro-intensive design, Men of War II could find its audience. However, in its current state, the game needs a significant overhaul before it can truly be recommended. For players seeking a truly immersive and polished World War II RTS experience, Men of War II falls short. There are better options available that capture the grand scale of the war alongside the personal stories of the soldiers fighting it.

The review code was provided by the publisher