On November 18, 2024, the turn-based strategy game from developer Centurion Developments and publisher MicroProse Software was released, taking you back to the Second World War, where you have to take a tactical approach. I'll tell you more in my review.
Historical credibility and tactical depth
Forgotten But Unbroken offers a new perspective on the genre of World War II turn-based strategy games and impresses with a mixture of historical credibility, tactical depth and narrative elements. The game builds on familiar mechanics from titles such as XCOM, but also introduces its own features that set it apart from other games. The story is one of the strongest aspects of the game, interweaving real historical events with the personal story of Commander Martin. This dual narrative approach creates an emotionally compelling experience, as you experience both the broader historical context of World War II and the struggles of a man personally affected by the conflict. The inclusion of real historical figures adds to the sense of authenticity, while the emotional weight of the campaign ensures that you empathize with the characters and their journey. Additionally, the game features base-building elements that allow you to construct facilities such as hospitals and armories to support your troops. This enhances strategic planning, as maintaining morale and readiness often requires balancing resources against immediate needs on the battlefield. The integration of global historical events, such as accounts of the major battles of World War II, also adds a sense of vividness, which increases immersion.
Adaptation of the soldiers
The gameplay of Forgotten But Unbroken is a mixture of strategic resource management, tactical turn-based combat and troop customization. The game shines through its ability to make decisions meaningful. Missions are often about defending objectives or creatively outmaneuvering enemies, with little room for maneuver as mistakes have serious consequences. However, this aspect sometimes adds to the frustration caused by occasional technical issues, such as pathfinding glitches or the camera controls failing to behave correctly at critical moments. Although these problems are not decisive for the game, they can disrupt the otherwise captivating gaming experience and clearly show that the game still needs a few corrections after its market launch. However, I can give the all-clear here, the developers are already working diligently to eliminate game bugs and have been able to fix some errors with the last two major patches. Soldier management is another area worth delving into. With six different classes and a variety of traits, the customization options allow you to adapt your troops to different challenges. Traits such as 'Iron Will' boost morale, while physical traits can affect performance and susceptibility to disease. This system fits seamlessly into the game's emphasis on realism, as you not only have to manage the combat effectiveness of your soldiers, but also their general wellbeing between missions, which affects your experience on the battlefield.Graphics and sound:
Graphically, Forgotten But Unbroken offers detailed environments that capture the devastation and atmosphere of wartime Europe. From bombed-out villages to dense forests, the game's locations are richly designed and draw you into their world. The character models are equally well done, with animations that bring the battlefield to life. The sound is the perfect complement to the visual effects with dynamic soundscapes and a musical soundtrack that shifts seamlessly between tension and tranquillity depending on the situation. However, Forgotten but Unbroken is not a game that is quickly learned, as the learning curve can be quite steep for newcomers to the genre given the many elements to balance. However, for those willing to invest the time and look past the rough edges, the game offers a rewarding experience that more than makes up for minor flaws such as bugs.
