Strategic Command: World War I

Strategic Command: World War I is a hex-based strategy game covering the First World War, from its opening battles in 1914 to the final offensives. You command forces across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Atlantic, making strategic decisions as well as directing military operations.

The war and its campaigns

The flagship campaign pits France, Italy, Russia, Serbia, the UK and the USA against Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Other countries, including Belgium, Greece, Portugal and Romania, may enter on either side; the British Empire also makes an immense contribution to the Entente war effort. The game covers the war’s major theatres, from Flanders and the Eastern Front to Italy, the Balkans and the Middle East.

Five campaigns offer different scenarios: 1914 Call to Arms, 1914 Triple Alliance, 1914 March on Paris, 1917 Fate of Nations and 1918 Ludendorff Offensive. In 1914 Triple Alliance, Italy joins the Central Powers. Friendly major powers can be assigned to AI control, and you can change that choice at any time or switch sides.

Strategy and diplomacy

You mobilize forces, use diplomacy and political intrigue to undermine enemy resistance, and research technologies and military doctrines. New doctrines can improve commanders’ abilities and unit combat effectiveness, as well as enable the deployment of technologies such as tanks and fighter aircraft. Strategic decisions include whether Germany can advance through Belgium to capture Paris, whether a naval blockade can defeat the Central Powers and whether Russia will succumb to revolution.

The conflict features weapons and events ranging from the Tank, Aeroplane, Submarine and Aircraft Carrier to the High Seas Fleet, Lawrence of Arabia, the Russian Revolution and the Zimmermann Telegram. The game also overhauls Germany’s use of Unrestricted Naval Warfare.

Armies and fleets

Units can move and entrench, and researching Trench Warfare allows trenches to be improved. This movement and entrenchment system supports more effective assaults into no man’s land when you go on the offensive. New unit types include ANZACs, Colonial Corps, Mountain Corps and Ground Attack Aircraft.

Naval Mines can protect your sea lanes or impede the enemy’s, and can damage enemy shipping. Reconnaissance Bombers spot for artillery, providing information on enemy positions to improve artillery’s effectiveness. Naval Cruise lets naval units travel quickly over longer distances, while naval units can only be reinforced in stages, preventing instant repair after significant damage.

Map and multiplayer

The war is fought on a map of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Atlantic, with each hex representing 20 miles. The map includes WWI-specific modifications such as Ypres and Gallipoli. Enhanced Fog of War shows the limits of your units’ spotting range, while Dynamic Movement lets you deselect and later reselect units that still have Action Points available.

You can minimize the Decision box to inspect the map before responding to decisions. Many decisions include notes with historical context and advice. Multiplayer games can be played through a PBEM++ server, with a Challenge Lobby and in-game sending and receiving of turns.