Warsaw Reviews
Warsaw is both a frustrating and fulfilling experience that, while interesting, stumbles some along the way.
While I enjoyed WARSAW the only real complaint I had was the difficulty from time to time. Overall the game looked good and was an enjoyable experience. Those who prefer less of a challenging experience should look elsewhere because WARSAW offers a challenging but rewarding turn-based strategy game.
Warsaw may be a diamond in the rough for some: its nuanced battle system together with the tough resource management are the highlights of the experience, but some may be put off by the high difficulty that can be tempered with both experience in the game’s mechanics and a sprinkling of luck.
A solid turn-based strategy wrapped up in a grimly intriguing slice of wartime history, WARSAW is quite capable of having its intended emotional impact land on target. The biggest roadblock that faces is in the balance between being a video game, and being a powerful bit of storytelling about a real-life tragedy.
Warsaw's a disheartening experience through and through, and normally that would be enough for a low score and some harsh words. But we think that, here, the futility is rather the point of the exercise. It's not going to be for everyone by any means, but fans of Valiant Hearts or This War of Mine will get a kick out of its stark, unforgiving world. War is hell. Warsaw is hell. But it's a pretty good hell, which makes it at least a seven.
It is moments like these, through utilising minimalistic storytelling that relies upon the underlying gameplay mechanics, that reveal how the developers have successfully crafted a game that weaves together the experience of what many of the citizens of Warsaw experienced in the autumn of 1944 in a mostly respectful and reverent manner.
Like most tactical RPGs, there’s a lot to keep track of in Warsaw. If you’re new to the genre, it can be overwhelming; the game does have adjustable difficulty levels, but lowering the difficulty doesn’t change all that players have to pay attention to as they play. The story is well-written, but combat gets quickly repetitive as it contains no bosses, special events or anything to differentiate one battle from another. If you’re looking for a challenging tactics-based game, Warsaw is well worth a go. It’s just a shame that the excellent world-building takes something of a back seat.
WARSAW has an interesting premise that unfortunately is overshadowed by its somewhat unfair gameplay.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Warsaw is an interesting concept which does do quite a few things right, but its inconsistency of vision prevents it from achieving the same greatness as the games it was clearly inspired by. Pixelated Milk are at their best when they are holding players in the desperate struggle for survival, where each tactical decision matters a great deal between life and death. But it takes real concentration on the player’s part to make these systems work, compounded by UI issues on the Switch which only further exhaust players. There are plenty of games which set out to do things similar to what Warsaw does, but more effectively.
There's an added level of interest and thrill to engage in games with at least some rough historical basis...
Warsaw ripped out my soul for several play sessions and made me feel empty and depressed. Within all that pain though I was driven by this feeling of hope and determination to continue the fight in an effort for a better tomorrow. While this feeling can not compare to what real people felt back then and the suffering they went through. Warsaw is a stark reminder of why we should remember those we lost to war and do all we can to prevent this happening again.
It's quite the surprise that one of the most poignant WWII stories comes from Warsaw, an RPG and strategy title from indie studio Pixelated Milk.
Warsaw does what few World War II games do by crafting an oppressive campaign that can feel unfair yet manages to remain hopeful.
This world war II Darkest Dungeon with very few new ideas and available mechanisms is easier than fun, quite unpleasantly frustrating. The story will not amaze you, but the atmosphere crumbling with Warsaw is quite captivating thanks to the slightly depressing audiovisual. The most fun for the whole game are definitely the fights. You will soon get tired of it.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Warsaw rises to fight tyranny in one of the best strategy games of the year
Though the game makes a strong first impression with its chilling premise and a decent gameplay loop, it fails to carry that forward into the full experience.
Warsaw is a game that captures some of the desperation and inevitability of failure that the Warsaw Uprising faced. The random assignment of characters removes some player choice, and there is a lack of narrative to add more weight to the events. However, as a strategy game Warsaw is well put together and offers a challenge in a unique setting.
I think that the best for this game would be publishing it in Early Access. Creators prepared a solid foundation for a truly enjoyable and addictive gameplay. However, there is still a hope, because the authors have promised some corrections and additions to the gameplay. Hopefully, after future changes the game from Pixelated Milk will deserve a higher note.
Review in Polish | Read full review
WARSAW is a deep tactical RPG with plenty of historical content. The game has a higher than normal difficulty level that makes winning even more rewarding. The rogue-like nature of the game also makes you consider your choices. You'll become so entrenched in the story and your resistance squad that losses will leave a mark.
Warsaw is World War 2's Darkest Dungeon. Excellent narrative beats hide under the gameplay rubble, telling the story of Poland's guerrilla fighters being turned into bullet sponges for Nazis.