Unity of Command II: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|2019 strategy video game}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = Unity of Command II

| image = File:Unity of Command II logo.png

| publisherdeveloper = 2x2 Games

| image_size = 200px

| developerpublisher = [[2x2 Games]], <br>[[Croteam]]

| publisher = 2x2 Games

| designer = [[Tomislav Uzelac]]

| composer =

| series = ''Unity of Command''

| engine = 2x2 engine

| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]

| released = November 12, 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-will-be-out-in-november-beta-signups-are-open/|title=Unity of Command 2 will be out in November, beta signups are open|first=Andy|last=Chalk|website=PC Gamer|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=November 13, 2019|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113142151/https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-will-be-out-in-november-beta-signups-are-open/|url-status=live}}</ref>

| genre = [[Turn-based strategy]]

| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]

}}

'''''Unity of Command II''''' is a [[turn-based]] [[wargame]] developed by [[2x2 Games]], and co-produced by [[Croteam]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/351962/UNITY_OF_COMMAND_II_COMING_TO_STEAM_THIS_NOVEMBER_BETA_SIGNUPS_ARE_OPEN_NOW.php|title=UNITY OF COMMAND II COMING TO STEAM THIS NOVEMBER, BETA SIGN-UPS ARE OPEN NOW|date=October 10, 2019|website=Gamasutra|access-date=November 15, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115082148/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/351962/UNITY_OF_COMMAND_II_COMING_TO_STEAM_THIS_NOVEMBER_BETA_SIGNUPS_ARE_OPEN_NOW.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game was released on November 12, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/12/20961973/unity-of-command-2-release-date-price|title=One of the decade’sdecade's best wargames finally gets a sequel|first=Charlie|last=Hall|date=November 12, 2019|website=Polygon|access-date=November 13, 2019|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113142149/https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/12/20961973/unity-of-command-2-release-date-price|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the sequel to ''[[Unity of Command (video game)|Unity of Command]]''.<ref name=pcgamer>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-trailer-shows-new-3d-look/|title=Unity of Command 2 trailer shows new 3D look|first=Fraser|last=Brown|website=PC Gamer|date=February 28, 2019|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301061313/https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-trailer-shows-new-3d-look/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==

Unity of Command II is a tactical turn-based wargame which balances between historical accuracy and abstract game design.

===Headquarters===

The game introduces the concept of headquarters, which are used to collect the remnants of player units known as "stragglers". As units get damaged during combat, they dissolve into stragglers, which continue to automatically travel to the player's HQ. Once there, they become part of the player's "Force Pool", which they can use to reinforce their existing units. The functionality of headquarters was expanded to include repairing or constructing bridges on the map. The function is intended to give structure to the systemic complexity of WWII, but without overwhelming the player with countless systems.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/01/01/how-unity-of-command-2-balances-game-design-with-military-history/|title = How Unity of Command 2 balances game design with military history|newspaper = Rock Paper Shotgun|date = January 2020|access-date = 2023-06-06|archive-date = 2021-01-26|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210126070132/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/01/01/how-unity-of-command-2-balances-game-design-with-military-history/|url-status = live}}</ref>

==Development==

The game was in development since late 2014,<ref>{{cite webnews|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/12/15/unity-of-command-2/|title=There’sThere's A Unity of Command Sequel In The Works|newspaper=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=15 December 2014|publisher=|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319004050/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/12/15/unity-of-command-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>, but was formally announced in 2019.<ref name=pcgamer/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unityofcommand.net/blog/2019/02/28/developer-diary-20/|title=Developer Diary 20 - Unity of Command II Announced|date=February 28, 2019|website=Unity of Command|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301074449/https://unityofcommand.net/blog/2019/02/28/developer-diary-20/|url-status=live}}</ref> The most visible change to the game is the transition from [[2d graphics|2D]] to [[3D graphics]], using a proprietary engine developed specifically for this game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wargamer.com/articles/unity-of-command-2-wont-be-panzer-porn/|title=Unity of Command 2 "won't be panzer porn"|website=Wargamer|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2017-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712022511/http://www.wargamer.com/articles/unity-of-command-2-wont-be-panzer-porn/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another requirement would be a 64-bit operating system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wargamer.fr/cest-parti-pour-unity-of-command-2/|title=C’estC'est parti pour Unity of Command 2 !|date=17 March 2018|publisher=|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151215/https://www.wargamer.fr/cest-parti-pour-unity-of-command-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Notable gameplay mechanics that were added include [[fog of war]], unit headquarters, supply hubs, airborne ops<ref>{{Cite webnews|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/03/01/the-flare-path-fogbound/|title=The Flare Path: Fogbound|first=Tim|last=Stone|newspaper=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=March 1, 2019|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301184306/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/03/01/the-flare-path-fogbound/|url-status=live}}</ref> or the ability to go beyond enemy lines and sabotage their infrastructure.<ref name=pcgamer/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wargamer.com/articles/interview-unity-of-command-2/|title=Interview: Unity of Command 2|website=Wargamer|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2017-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507003500/http://www.wargamer.com/articles/interview-unity-of-command-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Reception==

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 88/100<ref name="metacritic_score">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/unity-of-command-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Unity of Command II for PC - Reviews at Metacritic |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=2019-10-12 |archive-date=2019-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117090043/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/unity-of-command-ii |url-status=live }}</ref>

| PCGUS = 91%/100

| GSpot = 8/10<ref name=gspot>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2-review-lifetime-supply/1900-6417390/|title=Unity of Command 2 Review - Lifetime Supply|access-date=2023-06-06|archive-date=2022-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220063418/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2-review-lifetime-supply/1900-6417390/|url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

Rob Zacny, in a review on [[Vice (magazine)|Vice]], noted how the game departed in so many ways from the original, but remained a "simple joy to play", calling it a "wargame that invites a lot of delightful perfectionist revisiting for a long time to come".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/vb5kk9/unity-of-command-2-review|title='Unity of Command 2' Messes with Tactics Perfection—And It Works|first=Rob|last=Zacny|date=November 13, 2019}}</ref> [[Wargamer (website)|Wargamer]] praised its visuals, maintaining they are "some of the best eye candy to come out of a wargaming company this year" and stating that each mission feels satifactory due to its intimidating design, ultimately calling it a marked improvement over the original ''Unity of Command''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wargamer.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2/|title=Unity of Command 2 Review|website=Wargamer}}</ref> Luke Plunkett of [[Kotaku]] called it the best wargame he played in years, but stated his disappointment in turn limiters, and limited control of some units.<ref>https://kotaku.com/unity-of-command-ii-is-a-really-solid-world-war-two-str-1839842115/amp</ref> [[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] was similarily delighted by the game and its novelties, concluding that "Wargames this canny, attractive, friendly and historically literate come along extremely rarely".<ref>https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/11/15/unity-of-command-2-review/</ref> [[PC Gamer]] noted in its review that new additions such as specialists and HQ upgrades contribute considerably to the campaign's flexibility, stating that there are also moments of historical divergence in the game.<ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-review/</ref>

''Unity of Command II'' received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref name="metacritic_score"/>

Rob Zacny, in a review on [[Vice (magazine)|Vice]], noted how the game departed in so many ways from the original, but remained a "simple joy to play", calling it a "wargame that invites a lot of delightful perfectionist revisiting for a long time to come".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_usen/article/vb5kk9/unity-of-command-2-review/|title='Unity of Command 2' Messes with Tactics Perfection—And It Works|first=Rob|last=Zacny|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=November 13, 2019|archive-date=November 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114062417/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/vb5kk9/unity-of-command-2-review|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Wargamer (website)|Wargamer]] praised its visuals, maintaining they are "some of the best eye candy to come out of a wargaming company this year" and stating that each mission feels satifactorysatisfactory due to its intimidating design, ultimately calling it a marked improvement over the original ''Unity of Command''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wargamer.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2/|title=Unity of Command 2 Review|website=Wargamer|access-date=2019-11-13|archive-date=2019-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118040111/https://www.wargamer.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Luke Plunkett of [[Kotaku]] called it the best wargame he played in years, but stated his disappointment in turn limiters, and limited control of some units.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://kotaku.com/unity-of-command-ii-is-a-really-solid-world-war-two-str-1839842115/amp | title=Unity of Command II is a Really Solid World War Two Strategy Game | access-date=2019-11-14 | archive-date=2019-11-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114233331/https://kotaku.com/unity-of-command-ii-is-a-really-solid-world-war-two-str-1839842115/amp | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] was similarilysimilarly delighted by the game and its novelties, concluding that "Wargames this canny, attractive, friendly and historically literate come along extremely rarely".<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/11/15/unity-of-command-2-review/|title = Unity of Command 2 review|newspaper = Rock Paper Shotgun|date = 15 November 2019|access-date = 15 November 2019|archive-date = 15 November 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191115130811/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/11/15/unity-of-command-2-review/|url-status = live}}</ref> [[PC Gamer]] noted in its review that new additions such as specialists and HQ upgrades contribute considerably to the campaign's flexibility, stating that there are also moments of historical divergence in the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-review/|title = Unity of Command 2 review|website = [[PC Gamer]]|date = 2019-11-15|access-date = 2019-11-15|archive-date = 2019-11-15|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191115180639/https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-review/|url-status = live}}</ref>

[[GameSpot]] criticized both the icons in the game, maintaining they are poorly explained, and the limited tutorial which forces the player to consult outside manuals and sources, nevertheless still praising the game as "one of the finest strategy games in recent times."<ref name=gspot/>

[[PCGamesN]] included the game in its list of the best strategy games on PC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/best-turn-based-strategy-games|title=The best turn-based strategy games on PC|access-date=2023-06-06|archive-date=2023-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404184157/https://www.pcgamesn.com/best-turn-based-strategy-games|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==

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[[Category:2019 video games]]

[[Category:Turn-based strategy video games]]

[[Category:Video game sequels]]

[[Category:Video games developed in Croatia]]

[[Category:Windows games]]

[[Category:Windows-only games]]

[[Category:World War II video games]]

[[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]]

[[Category:Croteam games]]