Men of War II Review: A Disappointing Sequel with Potential

Let's get into the trenches with Men of War II. This game, developed by Best Way and published by Fulqrum Publishing, was supposed to be the triumphant return of a beloved series. But does it live up to the hype? Spoiler alert: not really. Buckle up, because we're about to go through the highs and lows of this ambitious but flawed RTS.

Gameplay and Mechanics

From the get-go, Men of War II promises a deep and immersive tactical experience. You’ve got a plethora of units, intricate mechanics, and several game modes to sink your teeth into. The Direct Control and Direct Vision features let you step into the boots of your units, adding a layer of tactical depth that's pretty unique for an RTS. You can control a tank’s main gun while the AI handles secondary turrets, or micromanage infantry down to their exact loadouts.

Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast. The game is riddled with issues that make these features more frustrating than fun. Vehicle pathfinding is a nightmare. Tanks and other vehicles get stuck on the smallest obstacles or block each other, leading to chaotic and unmanageable battles. It’s infuriating when your well-planned strategy goes down the drain because your units can't navigate around a rock.

And let’s talk about those health bars. Sure, they might make the game more accessible to casual players, but they strip away the realism that fans of the series love. Tanks shouldn't feel like health-bar-wielding bullet sponges. There's an option to turn this off, but it feels like a band-aid on a bullet wound.

Visuals and Atmosphere

Visually, Men of War II is, well, a mixed bag. The game sports improved lighting and detailed unit models, which are great. But then you look at the overall graphics and it feels like a game stuck in the past. The winter maps, for instance, are overbright and look like something from an older, less sophisticated game.

The sound design is another area where the game falters. The voice acting is just bad. It's low quality and completely breaks the immersion, especially during intense battles. It's hard to take a game seriously when the voice acting sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom.

Story and Narrative

The game features two main campaigns—one for the Allies and one for the Soviets. These campaigns cover significant battles on both the Eastern and Western fronts. While the historical depth is there, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Missions often feel repetitive and fail to capture the epic scope of World War II.

What’s worse is the integration of multiplayer elements into single-player modes. Imagine selecting a campaign mode only to find yourself thrust into a multiplayer match. It’s confusing and annoying, especially for those who prefer solo play. This design choice seems like a desperate attempt to merge single-player and multiplayer audiences, but it ends up satisfying neither.

Challenges and Rewards

One of the biggest challenges in Men of War II is dealing with its atrocious user interface. The UI is cluttered, unintuitive, and frustrating to navigate. Commands are scattered in a way that feels arbitrary, leading to frequent misclicks and a whole lot of rage.

The game also demands a constant internet connection for single-player modes. This always-online requirement is a major pain for players with unstable internet connections or those who simply want to enjoy the game offline. It’s a baffling choice that adds unnecessary frustration to the experience.

Multiplayer Mayhem

Multiplayer in Men of War II is a bit of a mixed experience. On one hand, the game offers a variety of modes that should keep things interesting. You’ve got 5v5 battalions, 1v1 skirmishes, and more. But the execution often falls flat. The matchmaking can be hit or miss, and the game’s issues with unit control and pathfinding are even more glaring in a competitive setting.

The multiplayer modes feel like they’re trying to cater to everyone but end up being a jack of all trades, master of none. It’s fun when it works, but getting it to work consistently is a whole other battle.

Conclusion

Men of War II is a game that had a lot of potential but falls short in many critical areas. Its attempt to blend deep tactical gameplay with modern RTS elements is admirable, but the execution leaves much to be desired. From poor pathfinding and dated graphics to bad voice acting and a frustrating UI, the game struggles to live up to its legacy.

For die-hard fans of the series, there might still be some enjoyment to be found, especially if you’re willing to look past the game’s numerous issues. But for newcomers or those expecting a polished, modern RTS experience, Men of War II is likely to disappoint.

Final Score: 5.5/10

Approach with caution, and maybe wait for a sale or more substantial updates before diving in. Men of War II could become the game it promises to be, but it’s not there yet.