Complex yet accessible: WW2 strategy game drops from $29 to $3 for the first time on Steam

In Unity of Command II, players lead the Western Allied forces from the deserts of North Africa to the beaches of Normandy and the final battles on German soil. Along the way, they can not only recreate historical military operations but also change the course of history through clever decisions. The strategy game is currently 90% off on Steam until October 25, bringing its price down from nearly $30 to just $2.99. According to SteamDB, this marks the first time Unity of Command II has dropped below the $3 mark. Previously, the highest discount was 85%.

In terms of gameplay, Unity of Command II features turn-based battles on hexagonal grids, where tactical skill and clever troop management are essential. Players command infantry and armored divisions, deploy artillery and air support, and attempt to break through enemy defensive lines. However, military firepower isn't the only thing that matters. Supply lines are just as important: Capturing railway connections or supply depots can cut entire enemy formations off from their supplies, putting even superior forces under pressure. Of course, this works both ways. Neglecting one's own supply routes can bring even a promising offensive to a sudden halt.

Terrain also plays an important role. In Italy, mountains and rivers make advancing a challenge, while the dense hedgerows of Normandy create serious obstacles for tanks. To overcome such difficulties, players can tailor their armies to specific situations. Upgradable headquarters, specialized units and various support abilities are available for this purpose. Armored divisions, for example, can be optimized for rapid breakthroughs, while artillery and engineers help overcome particularly stubborn defensive positions.

PC Gamer awarded Unity of Command II an impressive 91 out of 100 points in its review, praising the game primarily for its considerable strategic depth, well-designed logistics system and the high degree of freedom offered in individual missions. The publication also highlighted the fact that the strategy game remains relatively accessible despite its complex mechanics. However, the tutorial falls short in some areas: Particularly when it comes to advanced systems such as managing supplies, reinforcements and headquarters, players have to figure out many of the underlying mechanics on their own.

Metacritic lists Unity of Command II with a Metascore of 88 and a User Score of 7.4. On Steam, the game has a 79% positive rating based on more than 2,200 user reviews. And although complex wargames aren't exactly typical handheld titles, Unity of Command II is even rated "Verified" for the Steam Deck.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart - in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I'm not sitting at my computer, I'm probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life - namely sitting for long periods - at the local swimming pool.