Headquarters: Cold War

Headquarters: Cold War is a turn-based strategy game set in a hypothetical 1984 conflict between NATO and the USSR. You command either side in two plot-driven campaigns or take on skirmish missions, building a force, assigning heroes, developing units and using Headquarters skills to outmaneuver the enemy.

Tactical combat

Unit armor protects its front, sides, rear and top, so positioning matters. Terrain and obstacles provide directional cover, while high ground and destructible environments add verticality to battles. Wrecked vehicles and buildings can create new tactical opportunities.

The game includes 58 detailed unit models and two new unit classes: utility and attack helicopters. These airborne units can transport infantry, deliver pinpoint strikes and move across the battlefield with high mobility. Cold War-era gameplay is rebalanced with increased movement and attack ranges to reflect modern technology.

Campaigns and multiplayer

The NATO and USSR campaigns each contain 10 missions, for 20 story-driven operations in total. You can also play skirmishes against improved AI on six maps, or compete online in matches for up to four players. Multiplayer supports cooperative 2v2 battles and asynchronous play through Slitherine’s CombatHQ system.

Develop your forces

Between battles, you upgrade and customize units, assign heroes with unique skills, level up troops and adjust your force composition. Officers have skill trees with abilities including Close Quarters Battle, Field Interrogation, Camo Net, Modular Armor Panels and Enhanced Radar Systems.

Every unit has a crew, and each member affects its capabilities: losing a gunner reduces firepower, while losing a driver limits mobility. Protecting crews helps preserve combat effectiveness.

Headquarters skills

Headquarters skills add powerful abilities, including Resupply, MLRS, Air Strike and a Tactical Nuke.

Create battlefields

The in-game Map Editor lets you build custom skirmish and multiplayer maps from scratch. Shape the terrain, place objectives and create tactical scenarios for yourself and others.

Audio and atmosphere

The game features 12 original music tracks and sound effects.