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World War II, arguably the largest conflict in human history, has provided endless inspiration for video games. From grand strategy to special forces operations, the war’s diverse theaters and tactics have fueled countless virtual battles. Classified France ’44 focuses on the covert operations behind enemy lines that paved the way for the monumental D-Day landings in Normandy. Developed by Absolutely Games, this turn-based tactical title marks their debut in the genre. Does this newcomer deliver a successful first impression? Let’s delve into this review and find out.

A Meticulous Approach

While the tactical genre, both real-time and turn-based, may not be at its peak popularity, Classified France ’44 exemplifies a studio’s dedication to meticulous craftsmanship and polished gameplay. Set during World War II, the game evokes comparisons to the sci-fi hit XCOM 2 in several aspects.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot showing characters in a rural environment.

The game’s most striking feature is its seamless blend of traditional turn-based tactics, reminiscent of King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, with the stealth elements characteristic of real-time tactics games like Shadows Tactics and Desperados. This fusion is rarely achieved in turn-based titles. You can sneak up on enemies, utilize cover, and execute silent takedowns. With skillful play, it’s possible to complete large portions of the game using stealth alone.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot showcasing the tactical view and character positioning.

While not as comprehensive as dedicated real-time stealth titles like Commandos or Men of War, Classified France ’44 effectively integrates both gameplay styles. The detailed character statistics and parameters, exceeding those of typical turn-based games, enable fluid animations and responsive AI, creating a challenging experience. This intricate system also addresses a common issue in squad-based tactical games like King Arthur: Knight’s Tale and Redemption Reapers: repetitive gameplay with limited tactical options. Consequently, replayability is significantly enhanced, prompting players to constantly consider how they could improve their approach.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot displaying a character aiming a weapon.

Instead of traditional sequential turns, Classified France ’44 employs an Action Point (AP) system for character actions, similar to Tactical Troops: Anthracite Shift. This system, while not novel, perfectly suits the game’s smaller-scale maps. Players must carefully manage their AP to maximize efficiency, especially for stealth-focused playthroughs. The variety of weapons and actions, each with different AP costs and damage outputs, necessitates careful planning when facing diverse enemy types in challenging, outnumbered scenarios.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot illustrating the character customization and upgrade system.

Characters progress with unique stats, skills, and equipment after each battle, enhancing their combat capabilities. This fosters a sense of attachment to your squad, making character losses impactful and potentially prompting players to reload and retry missions. Adding to the excitement, cinematic action sequences, reminiscent of the Fire Emblem series, punctuate combat encounters.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot depicting a cutscene during a combat encounter.

While not as grand in scope as other D-Day-themed games, Classified France ’44’s narrative provides a cohesive thread connecting missions and unlocking side content. This harmonious integration of gameplay and story creates a smooth and engaging experience, avoiding the narrative pitfalls of some turn-based titles where the story feels like an afterthought.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot showcasing the game's environment and graphics.

The graphics and sound design, while not on par with modern blockbusters, effectively serve their purpose. The somewhat rough visuals, featuring lower polygon models and simpler effects, contribute to the game’s accessibility on less powerful PCs. For a gameplay-focused title, the graphical presentation is more than adequate. Each level is aesthetically distinct, evoking the atmosphere of French countryside settings and heavily fortified Nazi bases.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot highlighting the in-game music and composer information.

The game boasts high-quality voice acting and a compelling soundtrack composed by Ian Livingstone, a veteran of the game music industry known for his work on titles like Total War: Rome II, Total War: Warhammer III, and The Quarry, and performed by the Sofia Session Orchestra.

Overall, Classified France ’44 delivers a polished and engaging experience, especially for fans of turn-based tactical games.

Minor Drawbacks

Despite its overall excellence, Classified France ’44 has a few minor flaws. The cinematic action sequences, while exciting, can be obscured in tight spaces, showing little more than walls during combat. The enemy spawning mechanics can also lead to frustrating situations where players are suddenly ambushed and eliminated upon entering certain areas.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot showing a challenging combat situation.

Classified France '44 gameplay screenshot illustrating the game's user interface.

Additionally, the user interface can be somewhat cluttered in busy scenes, potentially leading to misclicks. However, these issues are relatively minor and don’t significantly detract from the overall enjoyable experience offered by Classified France ’44.