Warno
Release Date: May 23, 2024
Strategy, RTS, Cold War, online, war strategy, co-op, alternative history, 80s, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
Warno is a real-time strategy from Eugen Systems studio, known among others from Wargame series. Game takes up the theme of the Cold War, which turns into World War III.
Warno is a new RTS from the veterans at Eugen Systems studio, creators of the Wargame series and the memorable R.U.S.E. This time the developers let us take part in the escalating Cold War, which turns into World War III between the forces of NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Game is described as a spiritual heir of the mentioned items.
Plot
Warno presents a fictional story of the end of the 20th century. In 1987, as a result of a coup d'état led by hardened communists, Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (who actually held this position until 1991), was overthrown. This contributed to the ongoing Cold War, with NATO and Warsaw Pact armies deployed in a divided Germany, awaiting the inevitable conflict. This becomes the trigger for the outbreak of World War III.
Game mechanics
The developers thought about both players who enjoy solo play and those who are not afraid of online battles. For the former there are four Army General campaigns, which allow you to lead your troops in "what if" scenarios . The latter group, on the other hand, received an expanded multiplayer mode, offering both 1-on-1 battles and co-op for up to 10 players (i.e. 10-on-10 battles), as well as ranked skirmishes.
Warno lets you control over 600 different ground and air units in real-time - from Spetsnaz conscripts and mobile SAMs, to attack aircraft and helicopters like the Gazelle, SU-25 Frogfoot, and Mil Mi-24, to self-propelled artillery and tanks like the MCV-80, M1A1 Abrams, Leopard, and KPz T-55AM2. Each of them is unique for a given nation and has its own strengths and weaknesses. The player's task is to choose the army in such a way that it is as effective as possible.
Six factions are available in Warno - the NATO-affiliated United States, West Germany, Great Britain and France, and the Warsaw Pact-affiliated Soviet Union and East Germany. Within these factions, you can control such legendary formations as the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (the so-called Blackhorse Regiment) and the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, the Bundeswehr's 5th Armored Division, the Soviet 79th Guards Armored Division and 27th Guards Motorized Rifle Division, or the GDR's 7th Armored Division. Each of these can serve as the parent division of our army, which we manage up to the platoon level.
Technical aspects
Warno runs on the IRIS Zoom Engine, Eugen Systems' proprietary engine already used in the development of R.U.S.E. However, it has been significantly improved to bring the game up to current standards. In order to increase realism, the developers have improved the terrain rendering technology, as well as created new 3D resources, providing more accurate and diverse unit models, among other things. The changes are particularly visible in the damage system - when our troops take damage, individual units lose elements of their equipment; sometimes this even leads to the explosion of an ammunition magazine, which in turn can cause the destruction of a nearby structure.
Vehicle malfunctions are equally detailed - a helicopter can lose its blades, and a plane can lose a wing. Explosions, which leave craters of various sizes, are also impressive. This makes the battlefields not only pleasing to the eyes, but also provides many tactical options - for example, we can use smoke as a natural cover for our troops. We can also make use of hills, small villages, dense forests, meandering rivers, bridges and industrial zones.
Videos and Screens
[2:54] Warno Warno - Release Date Trailer
[1:16] Warno WARNO: Army General - Bruderkrieg Campaign Intro
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Gameplay: Many users appreciate the tactical depth and engaging gameplay, likening it to a more refined version of previous titles like Wargame: Red Dragon.
- Graphics and Audio: The graphics are often described as beautiful, with detailed models and environments, while the soundtrack, featuring 1980s-style synth music, is highly praised.
- Realistic Military Strategy: Players enjoy the realistic feel of commanding units and the immersive atmosphere of Cold War-era warfare.
- Variety of Game Modes: The game offers diverse modes, including PvP and co-op campaigns, which enhance replayability.
- Continuous Updates and Content: Users note that the developers regularly update the game with new content and improvements, which keeps the experience fresh.
The main cons of the game
- Steep Learning Curve: Many reviews mention a significant learning curve, which can be daunting for new players.
- Single Player Mode Issues: Several users criticize the single-player mode, particularly the Army General campaign, for being repetitive and lacking depth.
- Camera Controls: The camera controls are frequently mentioned as frustrating, with many players expressing a desire for improved customization options.
- Multiplayer Balance Issues: Some users report unbalanced multiplayer experiences, including issues with matchmaking and player toxicity.
- Technical Problems: Bugs and crashes, especially during multiplayer sessions, have been highlighted as significant drawbacks.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Enhanced Single Player Experience: Users wish for a more engaging and less repetitive single-player mode, with better AI and campaign mechanics.
- Improved Camera Controls: Many players request more flexible camera controls and the ability to remap keys, as the current setup is considered overly sensitive and unintuitive.
- Additional Unit Types: Suggestions include adding engineering units for building fortifications, a wider variety of artillery types, and more diverse factions or national units.
- Better Modding Support: Some users express a desire for enhanced modding capabilities, as current updates tend to break existing mods.
- Community Features: Players desire better community moderation and features to block disruptive players in multiplayer matches.
Summary
- Overall, while WARNO has been well-received for its depth and immersive gameplay, it faces criticism mainly for its single-player experience, technical issues, and the need for improved controls and community features.
Summary generated on:
Warno Summary
Early Access:January 20, 2022
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Eugen Systems
Publisher: Eugen Systems
Age restrictions: 12+
Warno System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1 GHz / AMD Athlon 200GE 3.2 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTS 450 / Radeon HD 5570 or better, 50 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1)/8.1/10/11 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i3-8100 3.6 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 3 GB GeForce GTX 780 / 4 GB Radeon R9 290X or better, 50 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1)/8.1/10/11 64-bit
RTS Warno Launches in Early Access; Price Increase Inbound
Warno, a new game by the devs of the Wargame series, has debuted on Steam's Early Access. On the occasion of the release an attractive discount was organized.
video games
Adrian Werner
January 20, 2022
Warno is the New RTS From Wargame Devs; Early Access Launch in January
Eugen Systems has announced a new project - the strategy game Warno, intended to be a spiritual heir to the Wargame series. This time we will face the escalating Cold War, which will turn into World War III between the forces of NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
December 17, 2021