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The real-time strategy (RTS) genre, despite advancements in gaming technology, has seen a decline from its golden age, lacking the groundbreaking titles that once dominated the late 90s. Sudden Strike 4, a direct descendant of one of those RTS giants, entered the gaming world with a surprisingly quiet launch, arriving during a relatively slow period while gamers eagerly awaited bigger end-of-year releases. Does Sudden Strike 4 live up to the legacy of its 16-year-old lineage? Let’s dive in and find out.

Satisfying Graphics and Sound

Impressive Audio-Visual Presentation

As an RTS, Sudden Strike 4’s core focus is intense combat. This was a notable weakness of the third installment, which struggled to depict the brutality of war compared to contemporaries like Supreme Commander, Company of Heroes: The Opposing Fronts, and World in Conflict. Wisely, developer Kite Games opted for the powerful and versatile Unity engine instead of creating their own, resulting in truly spectacular battles.

Sudden Strike 4’s graphics lean towards realism, boasting detailed and meticulously designed models. Players will encounter a vast array of controllable vehicles and equipment, ranging from heavy tanks to rickety farm trucks, all rendered with impressive fidelity and contextual animations. Witness tanks throwing tracks after hitting mines, turrets exploding from ammunition detonations, and other realistic damage effects.

Explosions are a crucial element in any war game, and Sudden Strike 4 delivers with a satisfying variety. From small grenade blasts to artillery shell impacts and devastating 250kg bombs dropped from aircraft, the destruction is depicted with varying levels of intensity. The effective use of Volumetric Cloud technology creates realistic smoke trails, explosion clouds, and smoldering fires, further enhancing the game’s gritty atmosphere and rivaling some of the best-looking RTS games on the market.

Explosive Effects

The sound design is another strength, with realistic gunfire, explosions, whistling artillery shells, and the drone of aircraft engines, all enhanced by impressive spatial audio, especially for those using headphones. The soundscape effectively captures the depth of the battlefield, with multiple layers of combat unfolding simultaneously without becoming muddled. This significantly contributes to the intensity and realism of the in-game battles.

While the music is decent and enhances the gameplay experience, it lacks memorable tracks that truly define the game’s identity. Several cinematic sequences could have benefited from more impactful music to heighten the emotional impact.

The Gritty Reality of War

Defining what makes a deep strategy game is challenging, but Sudden Strike 4 achieves this through its attention to detail. While Company of Heroes 2 focuses on unit placement and Total War: Warhammer emphasizes massive battles, Sudden Strike 4 excels in logistics management. Vehicles guzzle fuel, ammunition depletes rapidly, and mechanical failures are common.

Fuel is a precious commodity, enough for only a few trips around the base. Firing a few shots and destroying a couple of enemy vehicles can leave a tank stranded without proper resupply. Managing large-scale operations requires careful planning and resource allocation. Even a single soldier or a well-placed mine disabling an enemy supply truck can turn the tide of battle.

This logistical challenge becomes even more pronounced in historically resource-strained scenarios like the Battle of Kursk and Operation Market Garden. Players must constantly balance offensive and defensive needs while facing resource shortages across multiple fronts. Diverting fuel from defensive units to support a counterattack might leave your base vulnerable.

Strategic Depth

Adding further depth, individual soldiers aren’t just cannon fodder. They can operate abandoned vehicles, disarm mines, and even ambush enemy supply lines, tasks that tanks can’t perform. Kite Games even included the humorous but practical option of using civilian farm trucks to tow artillery, offering faster deployment at the cost of additional fuel consumption.

Disappointing Skirmish and Technical Issues

While the single-player campaign shines, the Skirmish and multiplayer modes are underwhelming. Players choose a doctrine, deploy a small force on limited maps, capture resource points and tactical locations, reinforce their troops, and call in air support. The focus is primarily on capturing points with limited forces, resulting in fragmented battles that lack the epic scale seen in other RTS games. Company of Heroes 2, for instance, offers a much more engaging Skirmish experience with its focus on key locations and headquarters.

Lackluster Skirmish

Consequently, the multiplayer mode tied to Skirmish lacks appeal for seasoned RTS players, diminishing the game’s replayability and overall impression. This mirrors Kalypso Media’s previous releases, like Tropico 5, which featured strong single-player campaigns but weak multiplayer components.

Although designed for multiple platforms, including Xbox One and PlayStation 4, controlling an RTS with a gamepad is cumbersome. Despite Kite Games’ efforts to optimize controls, it’s difficult to react quickly in dynamic situations. Managing multiple fronts, calling in air support, constructing defenses, and deploying minefields in scenarios like the Battle of Kursk can be frustrating with a controller.

Furthermore, the AI suffers from occasional pathfinding issues. Tanks might needlessly ram into wrecks, and soldiers can get stuck navigating complex obstacles. While minor, these issues detract from the overall experience, especially compared to the AI in more recent RTS titles.

Technical Glitches

Conclusion

Sudden Strike 4 delivers a compelling single-player campaign with impressive graphics, sound, and a focus on logistical challenges. However, its underwhelming Skirmish and multiplayer modes, along with minor technical issues, hold it back from reaching its full potential. While it successfully captures the gritty reality of war, the lackluster multiplayer experience ultimately limits its long-term appeal.