WarPlan

WarPlan is a World War II simulation engine built around scenarios at different scales. Its interface is designed to reduce micromanagement so you can focus on planning and play. You can play against the AI, in hotseat or by PBEM, and use the included editor to create scenarios and mods.

Scale and map

The game covers up to 70 potential countries on a hex map where each hex represents 30 miles (50 km), using Peters map scaling to better represent real distances. Land units represent 15,000–60,000 men, air units 300–400 aircraft, and naval units two capital ships plus support ships.

The map has 15 terrain types, subdivided into sizes with different features, including motorized and non-motorized movement, airfield capacity and defensive bonuses. It also contains 12 resource types and five strategic resources. Fog of War uses detection levels to determine what you know about units, while five weather conditions affect play.

Combat and units

Combat takes place on land, in the air and at sea. On land, operation points allow multi-hex attacks and multiple moves, while attack tactics can create frontline breakthroughs. Air units can attack selected targets and may automatically support land attacks. At sea, fleet and raider modes affect detection, and combat includes night action, surface, submarine and carrier engagements. Zones of control restrict enemy movement.

WarPlan has 20 unit types, each with 15 attributes, alongside 17 technological advancements and five specialties. Countries have their own units and attributes. Units can split or reform: corps may detach a division, and armies may split. Small formations can also be grouped into larger ones. Generals affect combat, mobile attacks and retreats, and 11 types of support-pool units are available.

Naval units stack in fleets. Each hex can hold one land unit, one air unit and one fleet. Land units can receive a specialization, such as equipment, elite training or gear; advancements allow 120 different land-unit configurations.

Managing countries

Production accounts for oil, manpower, logistics, strategic resources, trade agreements and convoy zones. The game has 17 advancements, and every unit has at least two advancement choices. The description also specifies 47 different unit configurations.

Supply depends on cities, railways, ports, headquarters and distance from railways, with a system intended to represent the North African Campaign more accurately. Diplomatically, you can declare war, influence countries, attempt coups or negotiate surrenders. Each country has a loyalty score and an entry level, and in-game actions can change both.

Modes and tools

You can play against the AI, in hotseat or by PBEM. Automatic repair and advancement are also included, and an editor lets you modify the game and create scenarios.