WARNO

WARNO is a real-time strategy (RTS) game set in an alternate history Cold War scenario where World War III breaks out in Europe. Developed by Eugen Systems, the game puts players in command of NATO or Warsaw Pact forces in intense tactical warfare. Featuring realistic military units, detailed maps, and strategic depth, WARNO offers both single-player and massive online multiplayer battles for up to 20 players. The game combines authentic Cold War-era weaponry and equipment with the tactical precision the developer is known for from their previous Wargame and Steel Division series.

WARNO: Review

Introduction

In the pantheon of real-time strategy games, few developers have carved out a niche as distinct and demanding as Eugen Systems. With a legacy built on the critically acclaimed Wargame series and the World War II-focused Steel Division franchise, Eugen has long been synonymous with deep, tactical warfare simulations that prioritize historical authenticity and complex mechanics. Their latest offering, WARNO, released fully in May 2024 after a lengthy early access period, represents not just another entry in their catalog but a culmination of their design philosophy. Set in an alternate 1989 where the Cold War escalates into a full-scale conventional conflict in Europe, WARNO asks players to command the forces of NATO or the Warsaw Pact in a brutal struggle for supremacy. This review posits that WARNO is Eugen Systems’ most refined and accessible game to date, successfully synthesizing the best elements of its predecessors while introducing meaningful innovations, though it remains a title best suited for a dedicated and patient audience.

Development History & Context

Eugen Systems, a French studio founded in 2000, has built its reputation on real-time tactics (RTT) games that emphasize realism and large-scale combined arms warfare. Prior to WARNO, their most notable achievements were the Wargame trilogy (2012-2014) and Steel Division 2 (2019). These games were celebrated for their staggering unit variety, realistic mechanics, and operational-scale battles, but they were also criticized for their steep learning curves and sometimes overwhelming complexity.

WARNO was announced in late 2021 and entered early access on January 20, 2022. Developed using Eugen’s proprietary IRISZOOM engine, the game was conceived as a spiritual successor to Wargame, set in a hypothetical World War III scenario rather than historical conflicts. The development team, led by Creative Director Alexis Le Dressay and Game Director Stéphane Hernandez, aimed to merge the unit diversity and Cold War setting of Wargame with the quality-of-life improvements and structured deck system of Steel Division 2.

The gaming landscape at the time of WARNO‘s early access release was notably sparse in the realistic RTT genre. Competitors like Broken Arrow were still in development, leaving WARNO to fill a void for fans of complex military simulations. Eugen leveraged its community feedback during the early access period, continuously refining gameplay balance, adding content like the Army General campaigns, and expanding the roster of divisions. This iterative development process allowed WARNO to evolve significantly before its official launch, addressing many of the initial concerns about content depth and technical polish.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

WARNO‘s narrative is built on a compelling alternate history premise. The point of divergence occurs in April 1987, when hardliners within the Soviet Union stage a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev, halting his reformist policies of perestroika and glasnost. A triumvirate of party, KGB, and military leaders takes control, adopting a brutally Stalinist approach. Unrest in the Baltic states and Armenia is crushed, and a pro-Soviet coup in Finland—the “Helsinki Coup”—further escalates tensions with the West. U.S. President Ronald Reagan initiates a second phase of the Cold War, leading to increased military spending and sanctions that cripple the Soviet economy. By June 1989, paranoid Soviet leaders misinterpret massive NATO exercises (Reforger ’89) as a prelude to an attack and launch a preemptive invasion of West Germany under the guise of their own Zapad ’89 exercises.

This backstory is delivered through operation briefings, unit descriptions, and the overarching context of the Army General campaigns. The narrative is not conveyed through cutscenes or a linear story but emerges organically from the military operations themselves. For example, the operation “Black Horse’s Last Stand” depicts the battered U.S. 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment making a desperate stand at Bad Orb after the fall of Fulda, while “The Kitzingen Ruse” involves a Soviet VDV airborne unit seizing a bridgehead in a diversionary attack.

Thematically, WARNO explores the tension between technological superiority and doctrinal purity, the fog of war, and the brutal efficiency of modern conventional warfare. There are no heroes or villains in a traditional sense; the focus is on the operational and tactical levels of command, emphasizing the chaos and fragmentation of large-scale combat. The game captures the essence of Tom Clancy-esque techno-thrillers, where success hinges on understanding capabilities, leveraging combined arms, and making swift, decisive decisions under pressure.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, WARNO is a real-time tactics game with a turn-based strategic layer in its Army General mode. The gameplay can be dissected into several key systems:

Battlegroup & Deck Building: Unlike the prototype-heavy, unrestricted deck building of Wargame, WARNO uses a division-based system. Players choose a historical formation (e.g., U.S. 3rd Armored Division or Soviet 79th Guards Tank Division) and build their battlegroup from its authentic order of battle. This imposes constraints that foster historical realism and strategic specialization. Each battlegroup has a limited number of “activation points” to spend on units across categories like Logistics (LOG), Infantry (INF), Artillery (ART), Tanks (TNK), Reconnaissance (REC), Anti-Air (AA), Helicopters (HEL), and Aircraft (AIR).

Tactical Combat: Battles unfold in real-time on large, detailed maps. Players capture strategic points to generate income, which is used to deploy units from their battlegroup. The game emphasizes combined arms; unsupported tanks are vulnerable to infantry ambushes, while aircraft can be swatted down by integrated air defense. Key innovations include:
– Smart Orders: AI-assisted commands allow units to automate certain behaviors, like auto-repairing when damaged or retreating when critically low on health.
– Line of Sight Tool: A crucial feature borrowed from Steel Division that lets players preview sightlines from any position, enabling better placement for ambushes and defensive positions.
– Urban Warfare: Cities are now vast complexes of destructible buildings that provide cover and concealment. Infantry in urban areas receive significant defensive bonuses, making city fights brutal, protracted affairs.
– Supply Logistics: Units consume ammunition and fuel. Supply vehicles are essential for resupplying front-line troops, adding a layer of logistical planning.

Army General Mode: This turn-based strategic campaign allows players to command entire divisions across a operational map. Players maneuver regiments, plan offensives, and fight out battles in the real-time tactical layer. It resembles a lighter version of Total War’s campaign map, focused purely on military operations without economic or diplomatic management.

Multiplayer: Supports up to 10v10 battles, with modes like Conquest (control points) and Destruction (unit elimination). The competitive scene is active, though balancing is an ongoing process.

The UI has been significantly refined from earlier Eugen titles, with clear unit cards, tooltips, and a sidebar displaying detailed unit statistics. However, the game retains a high skill ceiling; mastering unit counters, micro-management, and tactical timing requires dozens of hours of practice.

World-Building, Art & Sound

WARNO‘s world is built on a foundation of meticulous historical research and technical authenticity. The game features over 600 unique units, each modeled with incredible detail. From the distinct profiles of an M1A1 Abrams and T-80U tank to the sound of a GAU-8 Avenger cannon on an A-10 Thunderbolt II, the attention to detail is staggering. The IRISZOOM engine renders environments with a high degree of fidelity—forests, fields, rivers, and urban sprawls are not just backdrops but active tactical elements. Destroyed buildings leave rubble that still provides cover, and artillery barrages crater the landscape.

The visual direction is gritty and realistic, with weather effects and day-night cycles affecting visibility and combat. Unit animations are smooth, and combat effects—explosions, tracers, smoke—are visceral and impactful. The sound design is equally impressive; weapon reports, engine noises, and radio chatter create an immersive battlefield atmosphere. The soundtrack, composed of synth-heavy, period-appropriate tracks, evokes 1980s techno-thrillers like The Hunt for Red October.

This audiovisual cohesion ensures that WARNO is not just a simulation but an experience. The chaos of a full-scale assault—with artillery shells exploding, jets screaming overhead, and tanks advancing through smoke—is both overwhelming and exhilarating, effectively conveying the scale and intensity of modern warfare.

Reception & Legacy

Upon its early access release, WARNO received mixed but promising reviews. Critics praised its potential and Eugen’s commitment to post-launch support but noted a lack of content and balancing issues. By its full release in May 2024, the game had garnered an aggregate critic score of 84% on MobyGames and a “Very Positive” rating on Steam based on over 12,000 reviews.

Reviewers highlighted the successful fusion of Wargame and Steel Division elements, the depth of the Army General mode, and the exceptional audiovisual presentation. Common criticisms included a steep learning curve, inconsistent AI, and a single-player experience that could feel repetitive over time. The AI, in particular, was noted for its tendency to make predictable attacks and struggle with complex combined arms maneuvers.

WARNO‘s legacy is still unfolding, but it has already cemented Eugen Systems’ reputation as the premier developer of realistic RTT games. It has influenced a resurgence in the genre, with titles like Broken Arrow following its lead. The game’s extensive post-launch support, including DLCs like NORTHAG and SOUTHAG that add new divisions and campaigns, ensures a dedicated player base. Within the niche of military simulations, WARNO is regarded as the most accessible and polished entry point into Eugen’s library, though it remains a title for enthusiasts rather than casual players.

Conclusion

WARNO is a masterclass in tactical warfare simulation and the culmination of Eugen Systems’ decades-long design evolution. It successfully blends the unit diversity and Cold War tension of Wargame with the structured, accessible mechanics of Steel Division 2, resulting in a game that is both deep and approachable—by Eugen’s standards. Its alternate history narrative is compellingly crafted, its gameplay mechanics are richly layered, and its audiovisual presentation is top-tier.

However, it is not without flaws. The AI can be unreliable, the initial learning curve is daunting, and the single-player content may not satisfy those seeking a narrative-driven experience. Yet, for players willing to invest the time, WARNO offers unparalleled tactical depth and a profoundly immersive portrayal of Cold War-gone-hot combat.

In the annals of video game history, WARNO will be remembered as a niche masterpiece—a game that did not revolutionize the genre but perfected it. It stands as a testament to Eugen Systems’ expertise and a must-play for aficionados of real-time strategy and military history. For everyone else, it remains a fascinating, if intimidating, glimpse into the brutal reality of modern warfare.