WARNO

Developer: Eugen Systems
Release: May 23rd 2024
Platforms:
Single-player Multi-player Action Indie Simulation Strategy
Authentic
Tactical
Immersive
Crashes
Unbalanced

" Realistic action-strategy with deep Cold War tactics and large battles but frequent crashes on NVIDIA GPUs "

WARNO Review

WARNO is a modern Cold War-era RTS that receives praise for its deep tactical gameplay, authentic unit design, and immersive atmosphere featuring a nostalgic 1980s synth soundtrack. Players appreciate the game's large-scale battles, multiplayer modes, and strategic complexity, with many considering it the best in its genre since the Wargame series. The single-player campaigns and dynamic fronts offer hundreds of hours of content, though some find the AI and campaign pacing repetitive.

However, the game is marred by persistent technical issues, especially frequent crashes and freezes affecting many users, notably linked to NVIDIA graphics cards. Balancing problems are also frequently mentioned, with many players citing an overpowering Pact faction and frustrating matchmaking in ranked multiplayer. Monetization through DLCs locking key divisions behind paywalls and slow balancing patches further detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, the dedicated community and active developers keep the game evolving.

Highlights

Players laud WARNO for its authentic Cold War setting and realistic unit mechanics, which create an immersive battlefield experience. The multiplayer 10v10 mode is praised for chaotic, large-scale engagements requiring teamwork and tactical skill. The graphics and sound design, especially the retro synth soundtrack, enhance the atmosphere. The game’s depth in combined-arms warfare and leadership-focused gameplay stands out, making it a favorite among RTS enthusiasts and military simulation fans alike.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include severe performance issues such as crashes, freezes, and black screens, particularly on NVIDIA GPUs, with little resolution from developers. Faction imbalance heavily favors Pact units, leading to frustrating multiplayer experiences. The ranked matchmaking system is often described as broken, pairing players with vastly different skill levels. Additionally, the DLC pricing and paywall restrict access to important units, and the single-player campaigns suffer from limited variety and repetitive maps. Some users also find the learning curve steep and the UI unintuitive.

Pros

  • Deep tactical gameplay with realistic Cold War unit mechanics and combined-arms strategy.
  • Large-scale multiplayer battles supporting up to 10v10 chaotic engagements.
  • Authentic and immersive setting enhanced by a nostalgic 1980s synth soundtrack.
  • Extensive single-player content including dynamic campaigns and story missions.
  • Active developer support with frequent updates and content additions.
  • Smooth performance on many systems outside NVIDIA-related issues.
  • Leadership-focused gameplay rewarding strategic planning and coordination.

Cons

  • Severe and persistent crashes, freezes, and black screens especially on NVIDIA GPUs.
  • Significant faction imbalance favoring Pact units in multiplayer matches.
  • Ranked matchmaking often pairs players with vastly different skill levels.
  • Key units locked behind expensive DLC paywalls limiting gameplay variety.
  • Single-player campaigns can become repetitive due to limited map variety.
  • Slow balancing patches that lag behind new content releases.
  • Steep learning curve and occasionally unintuitive user interface.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price

About This Game



Are you ready to take command?

Deploy into an authentic, expansive, and meticulously researched Cold War real-time strategy game with WARNO. As the spiritual successor to the acclaimed Wargame series, WARNO is the ultimate next-gen World War III battle simulator.

Two years have passed since Gorbachev’s overthrow in a coup by hardline communists, and now, in the dark summer days of 1989, the Cold War finally turns hot. The armies of NATO and Warsaw Pact have deployed in a divided and tense Germany. Conflict is imminent. The only thing left is to wait for the inevitable Warning Order that will begin it all. War is coming home, commanders…

WARNO - Warning Order - lets you command your customized battlegroup and lead hundreds of Cold War-era units to victory on dynamic, tactical battlefields. Choose between the arsenals of NATO or the Warsaw Pact, and fight across a multitude of solo and online modes against challenging AI or human opponents in massive 10v10 battles. Show your mettle as a strategic commander in the turn-based Army General campaigns depicting a devastating, techno-thrilling World War III in Western Europe.


Take Command of Your Battlegroup


  • The Cold War-era armed forces of six nations - aligned to NATO or Warsaw Pact - can be led into a hyper-detailed World War III: U.S., West Germany, United Kingdom, and France square off against the Soviet Union and East Germany. From conscripts and main battle tanks to mobile SAM systems, self-propelled artillery, scout helicopters, strike aircraft, and fast interceptors, each WARNO nation has its unique arsenal of vehicles, planes, and soldiers.
  • More than 1000 different military units are featured, such as the mighty M1A1 Abrams, the British MCV-80 Warrior, French Gazelle scout helicopters, German Leopard tanks, Spetsnaz special forces, SU-25 Frogfoot, the East German KPz T-55AM2 or Mil Mi-24 Hind helicopter gunships. In the Armory, each unit can be inspected and compared in detail.
  • An array of famous military formations and brigades, each with their unique identity, act as the parent division of your personal battlegroup. Use the units available, choose your economy of forces, and customize your troops in WARNO’s enhanced battlegroup building system.

A New Dimension to War


  • Experience 5 massive turn-based strategic Army General campaigns centered on the NATO’s CENTAG and Warsaw Pact’s Central Group of Forces area of responsibility in 1989, placing you right in the heart of the war near the infamous Fulda Gap.
  • The Army General campaigns let you command hundreds of units and military formations, down to the platoon level, including the U.S. 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Armored Division, West German 5. Panzerdivision, Soviet 79th Guards Tank Division and 27th Guards Motor Rifle Division, and the East German 7. Panzerdivision.
  • 8 scripted Operations will allow you to undertake daring tactical combat missions that tell captivating stories of an all-too-real conflict.

Immerse Yourself


  • Witness an ever-evolving battlefield that never looked more beautiful, from the detailed environments to the brutal destruction unleashed. The latest incarnation of Eugen’s proprietary engine simulates modern land and air combat in Western Europe to the fullest extent.
  • The maps are rich with tactical options and objectives, from hills, small villages, dense forests, meandering rivers, bridges, and industrial zones to be captured. Be wary of ambushes or outflanking maneuvers as you continuously advance the dynamic frontline that contributes to a side’s victory or defeat.
  • Lead your chosen battlegroup into battle as an expert commander, taking advantage of all the available tactical tools. Combat in WARNO is an all-encompassing contest of smarts, tactics, and mastery of your units.

Combat Evolved


  • Take to war across a wide variety of game modes, including stand-alone Skirmish missions playable in solo, cooperative, or multiplayer.
  • Battle against an enhanced and challenging AI or pit your tactical prowess against other human players, in intense ranked 1v1, 2v2 to 4v4 team matches to all-encompassing 10v10 battles.
  • Take advantage of a host of quality-of-life enhancements catering to new players and veterans of Eugen Systems’ previous titles. This includes issuing commands during pre-combat deployment, Rules of Engagements, AI-assisted Smart Orders, and much more.

Realistic, immersive, breathtaking. WARNO is the ultimate World War III battle simulator from the masters of strategy, Eugen Systems. A Cold War turns decisively hot as you command hundreds of units on a beautiful and brutal battlefield. Outsmart, outfight, and lead your forces to total victory.

Release Date May 23rd 2024
Publisher Eugen Systems
Developer Eugen Systems
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (6,979)
83% Positive 17% Negative