The Operational Art of War IV

The Operational Art of War IV for PC is another installment in the series comprising turn-based strategies developed since 1998. TrickeySoft has created the game, however, Matrix Games has taken upon them to publish the game on PC.

Mechanics

In comparison to the previous installments in the series, The Operational Art of War IV offers a number of novelties and modifications of the gameplay mechanics. Combat is turn-based (depending on a scenario a turn can represent from six hours to one week) and maps are covered with hexagonal grid (these can cover from two and a half to even fifty kilometers). The gameplay builds on managing diverse units represented by 2D icons. During the game, a player can command infantry units, tanks, airplanes and the navy.

The last one has undergone the most significant changes. All the mechanics related to the navy have been completely redone – in order to provide a high level of realism, particular ships are treated as complex units described with such factors as armor, precision, maneuverability, and durability. The improvements implemented by developers have also influenced the supply system, as well as the rules of destroying the bridges and the aspects with ranges of particular units.

Players get at their disposal over two hundred scenarios, in which they can participate in the First Battle of the Marne, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, Operation Market Garden, and the Falklands War. Like in the previous installments, the game offers a wide range of tools allowing players to design their own skirmishes and military campaigns.

Technical aspects

The 2D visuals of the PC release of The Operational Art of War IV are extremely simplistic – as mentioned above, the action of the game takes place on maps and particular units are represented with icons. This, however, is delivers clarity and players can more efficiently manage their units on the battlefield.

Last updated on August 8, 2017