There is certain romanticism, if I may say so, about the Cold War era that keeps drawing in strategy game developers. The threat of a “Cold War going hot” spurred numerous books and movies, and gaming industry followed suit, with games such as Regiments and Warno taking the lead. Armored Brigade II, developed by Veitikka Studios and published by Slitherine, joins this club with an unapologetically hardcore approach to the theme. Unlike its contemporaries, though, it immerses itself fully into tactical realism first. Building on the foundation of the original 2018 game, Armored Brigade II moves from 2D to 3D while maintaining its intricate simulation roots. For fans of of the original game and Combat Mission series, it’s both familiar and deeply satisfying.
Tactical Depth in a 3D Shell
At a glance, Armored Brigade II promises a deep tactical experience wrapped in a modernized visual package. The addition of 3D environments certainly helps with terrain visualization, enabling more realistic line-of-sight and unit placement. Unfortunately, while functionally effective, the graphical fidelity leaves a lot to be desired. Models are basic, and this in the most literal sense of the word. Camera movement is awkward and jittery. This jankiness isn’t just cosmetic—it actively interferes with the flow of gameplay, which is a real shame given the game’s high aspirations. Still, the tactical underpinnings are solid, and the transition to 3D expands strategic options significantly.
Armored Brigade II takes realism seriously; at times, perhaps, too seriously. The command and control system models real-world communication delays, meaning your units won’t immediately react to orders. Instead, they interpret and execute commands with a delay based on training, doctrine, and proximity to HQ. While this adds a layer of authenticity, it will probably be frustrating for many players who are unaccustomed to this feature. Watching a tank sit under fire for 30 to 90 seconds before reacting to a retreat order is a test of patience above anything else. “Real wargamers” may consider this feature a triumph of realism, but for others, it could be a breaking point.
When I say the graphic is basic, I mean it
The Learning Curve Is a Cliff
Even with a tutorial, Armored Brigade II doesn’t do much to welcome newcomers. The interface is outdated and cramped, reminiscent of ‘90s-era PC games. Tooltips are dense, navigation feels clunky, and there are only two preset options of resizing a UI which must be set prior to the game. The game assumes a high level of prior knowledge – this isn’t a title that teaches you the ropes so much as throws you into the fire and expects you to study your AAR (After Action Report) to figure out what went wrong. If you’re not already a wargaming veteran, it will be a steep and unforgiving learning curve.
One particularly confusing element came up during my first mission where, after a brief skirmish, I got a mission fail screen that simply read: “Player Killed.” At first, it made no sense. I had the majority of my forces intact and had inflicted heavier losses on the enemy. the mission goal was to “survive”, with no other specifications. Only later did I discover that you as a player are represented as a physical unit on the battlefield. When that unit is destroyed, it triggers an immediate loss. It seems a little bit out of place in a game which has a strong focus on tactical wargaming approach and more of something we are used from occasional campaign mission in famous RTS games such as Warcraft and Starcraft. Luckily, this is something you can turn on and off in the game settings, but seems to be on by default in skirmish scenarios.
Units, Maps, and Mechanics
On a more positive note, the unit and map variety in Armored Brigade II is commendable. With over a thousand meticulously researched ground and air units from seven Cold War-era nations, the game offers an impressive sandbox of possibilities. Engagement distances, turret speeds, and weapon guidance systems are modeled with care. The real-world terrain maps—based on satellite and historical data—are massive and immersive, supporting everything from platoon actions to full battalion warfare. Combined with dynamic weather and seasonal changes, the game offers plenty of replayability and tactical challenge for those who want it.
While the unit mechanics shine, AI behavior often falls flat. Enemies sometimes act with strange passivity, and friendly unit pathfinding can be questionable at best. The sound design, too, is underwhelming—vehicles emit a droning hum that quickly becomes grating, and there’s a lack of satisfying audio feedback from battles. You don’t get that visceral clank of tank treads or the chaotic thunder of artillery barrages. For a game so focused on realism, the immersion is broken by these shallow sensory elements. It’s functional, but not atmospheric. I have read somewhere that your hearing of distant audio cues may be limited due to the distance of the said occurrences from your “player avatar” in the game, but then, I’d assume, you shouldn’t hear anything, and not only he engine droning and not the squealing of the tank tracks.
Formations can be quite useful and you are encouraged to use them as often as possible
No Country for Casuals
If it wasn’t already clear, Armored Brigade II is not for the average strategy gamer, let alone an RTS fan. There’s no multiplayer, no visually attractive and exciting battles, and very little hand-holding. It’s designed with a very specific audience in mind—and the developers aren’t shy about it. In response to a harsh Steam review full of complaints, the devs quipped that the criticism sounded like a “perfectly positive review” for their intended player base.
It is a bold strategy too, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for them. In any case, the developers are not holding back, and are making sure that it is obvious that this game is for select few.
Ultimately, Armored Brigade II doesn’t aim to win over the masses. It’s for those who already love games like Combat Mission – players who crave deep systems, realistic warfare, and the slow burn of tactical victories. Released first on the Matrix store and only later on Steam, it has already cultivated a dedicated, albeit a niche following. For those players, who were fans of the original Armor Brigade that was released back in 2018, it’s more of the same, but better, especially when it comes to the addition of the 3D aspect. If you’re part of that niche, this is exactly the game you’ve been waiting for. In that case, I am probably preaching to the choir. For all those uninitiated who are not familiar with this type of game… well, you probably never stood a chance.
Final Verdict: For the Hardcore Wargamers Only
Armored Brigade II is an ambitious and uncompromising game. It doesn’t hold your hand, it doesn’t dazzle with graphics or cinematic flair, and it won’t try to explain itself if you’re confused. What it does do is offer very detailed and realistic Cold War battle simulations, which, admittedly, could use some technical and gameplay tweaking. the most important part, It’s a game by wargamers, for wargamers. If that’s you, this may be your new obsession. If not, best steer clear, and maybe try something a little friendlier such as upcoming Broken Arrow or Warno.
