For a long time, there have been different opinions on the distinction of RTS (Real-time strategy) and RTT (Real-time tactics). Usually, those that emphasize the player's real-time resource collection, base construction, and unit production, and test the player's resource control and macro-allocation capabilities are considered RTS, such as WarCraft, StarCraft, Age of Empires, and Command& Conquer. RTT often simplifies or even eliminates the resource collection and base construction stages, allowing players to focus on coordinating multiple units. It requires high tactic and micro-control skills and introduces simulation mechanisms such as hit rate and more complex vision systems to increase uncertainty, such as Men of War, Sudden Strike, Company of Heroes, and World in Conflict.

The Wargame series is one of the most well-known IPs in the RTT industry today. It has been sought after by many military enthusiasts for its hardcore realistic military simulation gameplay, a wide variety of units, complex mechanisms, and diverse tactical options. Wargame: European Escalation is the starting point of this series. Compared with subsequent works, this one focuses on ground combat, and the single-player campaign is the only one in the series that is objective-oriented, which is quite a highlight. Despite this, it also has many shortcomings that cannot be ignored from the perspective of campaign design, operating experience, etc.


The player could control infantry, armored vehicles, main battle tanks, tank destroyers, self-propelled artillery, anti-aircraft artillery & missiles, helicopters, and other units, building their tactics according to the situation. By leaving command units in zones on the map, players could continuously gain command points for deploying units, only by controlling certain zones with pointing arrows, players are allowed to deploy units. Regarding combat design, there are large differences in the attack distance and movement speed of different units. Depending on the terrain they are in and the attacks they receive from different directions, mechanized units are most likely to suffer from various failures, which is quite hardcore and realistic. Morale is the most unique and important system in this game. Units suppressed by firepower will not only be frustrated in attack and movement but also are projected to collapse uncontrollably when morale is too low. The ammunition capacity of mechanized units in the game is often exceedingly restricted as well, and they consume fuel when moving, requiring players to exercise precise control and supply.

The single-player campaigns are mostly set in the Cold War period with a certain degree of fictional development. The broadcast-style CG brings players a full sense of immersion and a strong Cold War flavor. These campaigns are all guided by different objectives, victory only can be achieved by accomplishing them. Players could earn command stars by completing objectives in the campaign, they can be used to unlock units. As the campaign progresses, deployed units could accumulate experience, become elite units, and gain stronger combat effectiveness. In the same campaign, the number of each unit that players can deploy is limited, and unit losses will be inherited, requiring players to take a comprehensive approach and focus on loss control to avoid becoming unable to move forward at the end of the campaign. Though the game is relatively hardcore and challenging in general, most single-player campaigns can be saved at any time, which to a certain extent increases the player's tolerance for error.


The difficulty of the single-player campaign is constant, and players are almost always at a disadvantage from fighting against a large force with fewer units. The number of enemy AI is always several times that of the players, and they often remain hidden in various corners of the map. In many situations, you even need to actively attack the enemy's command units to break the situation, so the tactics of steady and steady progress may be at a disadvantage, and the player must use unexpected tactics frequently. The in-game speed is fixed, the player cannot pause or slow down during the game, which is very unfriendly to those who are not proficient in operating multiple units. Many enemy units in the game are often forgotten by the AI and left there in a daze, leaving players with many opportunities to take advantage of. The AI's only strength is probably its simultaneous and fast multi-line operation. The campaign is exclusively objective-oriented, allowing players to take shortcuts, completely ignore casualties and battle situations, and even win despite losing everything, once players have achieved the objective. The strength of self-propelled artillery and gunship helicopters in specific situations is too high, which invisibly affects and restricts the player's tactical choices.

As a hardcore realistic RTT, the tutorials in this game are mostly text-based and consist of only a few words. Complex vision, buildings, supplies, and other mechanisms require players to explore and try out their methods. The campaign included with the DLC cannot be saved midway, which adds a lot of difficulty. Though there are a huge number of units in the game, they are relatively homogeneous, and the text descriptions of many objectives in the campaign are also misleading, making it difficult for players to judge whether they have achieved them or not. The map scenes are also very similar, the unit modeling is slightly rough, and the music tracks are incredibly finite and monotonous. Enemies at the edge of the map cannot be attacked directly, and the campaign ends abruptly without a cutscene after completion, which greatly weakens the sense of immersion and accomplishment. The game's single-player skirmish only supports 1V1, and the online mode, which can accommodate up to 8 people, is no longer available due to the loss of almost all players, making the main content of the game now almost entirely focused on the campaign.


As the debut work in the Wargame series, Wargame: European Expansion has both highlights and shortcomings, especially the lack of sufficient tutorials, which makes the entry threshold and difficulty of this work extremely high, and the learning curve for new players is extremely steep. Despite this, it is still an excellent hardcore Cold War RTT that is worth a try for series fans and military enthusiasts, as well as players who are willing to invest the time. Since the overall pace of the game is slow, and one battle will make most players feel tired, so players may experience a longer play cycle. If you simply want a more mature gaming experience and don't care about the single-player campaign, maybe considering the latest work in the Wargame series would be the best option.