Info about Silent Storm Gold Edition:

Official game description:
Steam Greenlight
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About the Game
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Silent Storm from leading Russian developer Nival is a true 3D tactical turn-based Role-Playing-Game set against the backdrop of WWII. As the conflict rages on the frontlines, you’ll be leading a small multinational squad behind enemy lines to gather information and wreak havoc on your enemies while trying to thwart a mysterious new rising power whose plans are even more horrific than anything the world has yet witnessed.  
Silent Storm is fully rendered in breathtaking 3D – and includes fully destructible environments, realistic weaponry and unlimited tactical possibilities. Turn-based gaming has never looked this good!
The Story
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1943: The world seems to face its destruction in all parts; war is raging like never before. You are the commander of a squad, leading the soldiers you’ve selected into special and top secret operations to change the tide of war in your favour – allies or axis, it’s you choice!  
The new Add-On "Sentinels" begins with the end of the WWII nightmare. Veterans from all countries, even former enemies, stand together and form the secret investigation and intervention group "Sentinels", for one purpose only: To stop the evil secret society "Thors Hammer" they have faced in war.
Key Features
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*   Turn-based game, heavy on tactics and team-management  
*   Flexible missions, 2 different campaigns for axis and allies.  
*   24 missions during night and daytime, each one has to be prepared carefully and is enriched with random events.  
*   Multiple options for mission success: brutal force and tactical cleverness can be used in the combination of your choice and in 3 difficulties  
*   More than 75 authentic weapons from WWII, including experimental prototypes and rare items  
*   More than 40 male and female soldiers to choose from, each one has his / her own character and special abilities  
*   Destructible environment opens up tactical options, whether it’s flushing an enemy out of a building via rocket launcher or knocking holes in a wall to make a field-expedient shortcut.  
*   Unprecedented realism featuring true 3D, a fully destructible environment, and real projectile physics that take into consideration trajectory, speed, and piercing performance.  
*   Includes Silent Storm and Add-On "Sentinels"

Release date: Oct 2, 2013

Categories: Turn-based Strategy, Tactical RPG, Squad Management, Character Progression, Destructible Environments, Stealth Gameplay, Alternate History, Class-based Combat


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Deep turn-based tactical combat (weight 0.97): The game excels in turn-based tactics with an action point system, character progression, and skill trees. Players appreciate the blend of real-time and turn-based mechanics, along with the depth of strategic options.
- Unmatched destructible environments (weight 0.84): The game features fully destructible environments with high realism and tactical depth, allowing players to blow up walls, floors, and other structures for creative combat solutions. This mechanic is frequently praised for its physics and strategic opportunities.
- High replayability and variety (weight 0.63): The game offers diverse missions, random encounters, and emergent gameplay scenarios, ensuring high replayability. Players can approach objectives in multiple ways, with varied weapons, classes, and tactics.
- Aged but still enjoyable (weight 0.34): Despite its age, the game’s graphics and mechanics hold up well, with many players praising its timeless gameplay and nostalgic appeal. It remains fun and engaging years after release.
- Deep character customization (weight 0.34): Players can customize squad members extensively, including appearance, equipment, and skills. The RPG-like progression system allows for unique character builds and specializations.
- Historically rich weapon arsenal (weight 0.29): The game features a wide variety of historically accurate weapons, including unconventional options, with detailed sound effects and tactical utility. This enhances gameplay depth and authenticity.
- Realistic physics and wound system (weight 0.28): The game includes realistic physics for bullets, grenades, and ragdoll effects, along with a detailed wound system that affects character performance. This adds tactical depth and immersion to combat.
- Superior hit chance mechanics (weight 0.18): The game’s hit chance and accuracy systems are often compared favorably to titles like XCOM, with realistic bullet physics and streamlined mechanics that enhance tactical combat.
- Engaging alternate history setting (weight 0.16): The game’s narrative is set in an alternate 1943 Europe with a thoughtful and engaging storyline. The setting avoids typical WW2 clichés and offers a unique, immersive experience.
- Inspired by Jagged Alliance (weight 0.11): The game draws inspiration from classics like Jagged Alliance 2, adding depth to its combat mechanics while maintaining a distinct identity. Fans of the genre appreciate its familiar yet innovative design.

Common complaints:
- Outdated graphics and performance (weight 0.54): The game’s visuals are considered outdated by modern standards, with issues like missing shadows, improper lighting, and lack of support for modern resolutions. Performance problems like frame rate drops further detract from the experience.
- Frequent crashes and instability (weight 0.42): The game suffers from frequent crashes, particularly due to excessive destructibility and performance issues in the Steam version. Players report unplayable conditions due to these technical problems, often requiring restarts or quick-loading.
- Slow and clunky gameplay (weight 0.36): The game’s pacing is criticized for being sluggish, with clunky animations, slow progress due to tactical depth, and tedious post-combat sequences. The AP system and uneven balance further contribute to this issue.
- Unbalanced late-game content (weight 0.25): The second half of the game suffers from poorly designed encounters, including a frustrating final mission and immersion-breaking futuristic elements. Panzerkleins and mechs are cited as disruptive to tactical balance.
- Weak story and voice acting (weight 0.21): The storyline is described as clichéd, forgettable, and poorly presented through dull dialogues and documents. Voice acting is widely panned as cheesy, poor, or even hilariously bad.
- Inconsistent and broken AI (weight 0.18): Enemy AI is often incompetent, with issues like standing still, running out of action points, or poor pathfinding. While mods can improve this, the base AI is a significant frustration for players.
- Cumbersome camera controls (weight 0.13): The camera system is unintuitive, with limitations on the z-axis, obstructed views, and excessive micromanagement required for line of sight. This adds unnecessary frustration to tactical gameplay.
- Flawed character progression (weight 0.09): Character progression is criticized for being unbalanced, with a low level cap (10) and poorly designed talent systems. This limits player customization and long-term engagement.
- Limited weapon effectiveness (weight 0.09): Weapons like grenades have short throw ranges and limited explosion radii, making early combat particularly challenging. Distances in general feel compressed, further complicating tactical decisions.
- Lack of economic depth (weight 0.08): The game is criticized for missing a base economy or character depth system, unlike titles such as *Jagged Alliance*. This reduces strategic variety and long-term investment in the game world.

Gameplay feedback:
- Deep character progression and RPG elements (weight 0.85): Players can develop characters through skill trees, perks, and class-based progression (e.g., Sniper, Medic, Engineer). Progression is tied to combat actions and usage, adding role-playing depth to squad management.
- Action point system for movement (weight 0.63): Movement and actions are governed by an action point (AP) system, allowing players to strategize their turns. Sniper mechanics, for example, may involve AP accumulation for precision shots.
- Six distinct soldier classes (weight 0.5): The game offers six specialized classes (e.g., Scout, Sniper, Medic, Engineer) with unique roles and skill trees. This class system encourages team composition diversity and strategic specialization.
- Advanced shooting and ballistics (weight 0.48): The game features realistic shooting mechanics, including bullet penetration, ricochets, and targeted shots (e.g., headshots, leg shots). Players can shoot through walls, doors, and other obstacles for tactical flexibility.
- Stealth and sound-based detection (weight 0.4): Stealth mechanics are central, with sound-based detection influencing enemy awareness. Players must manage line of sight, cover, and noise to avoid detection or ambush enemies.
- Alternate WW2 setting with sci-fi (weight 0.36): The narrative is set in an alternate World War II timeline with science fiction elements, including futuristic technologies like exoskeletons (Panzerkleins) and laser weapons, adding a unique twist to the historical setting.
- Detailed weapon and inventory system (weight 0.27): The game features a wide variety of weapons and equipment, with mechanics like ammo compatibility affecting reload speeds. This system encourages players to tailor their loadouts to mission needs.
- Permadeath and squad attachment (weight 0.23): Squad members can die permanently, adding emotional weight to decisions and fostering attachment to characters. This mechanic heightens the stakes of tactical gameplay.
- Explosives and tactical traps (weight 0.21): Players can use grenades, mines, and explosives for creative mission completion. Traps like tripwires and mine disarming mechanics add layers of strategy to combat and stealth.
- Diverse mission types and maps (weight 0.16): The game offers a variety of missions (e.g., rescuing hostages, stealing documents) and maps, ensuring replayability. Open-ended missions with random encounters add unpredictability.
- Faction choices and campaigns (weight 0.13): Players can choose between Axis or Allies factions, with each offering distinct missions and characters. This adds narrative depth and replay value to the campaign.
- Panzerkleins (exoskeletons) in late-game (weight 0.12): The game introduces powered exoskeletons (Panzerkleins) in later stages, offering heavy combat capabilities and serving as a unique late-game mechanic or final boss challenge.

Performance notes:
- Performance issues on modern hardware (weight 0.35): Players experience frame rate drops, unresponsiveness, and heavy system demands even on modern PCs. The game struggles with high settings and lacks multi-core optimization, leading to slow turn transitions.
- Steam version technical flaws (weight 0.29): The Steam version suffers from specific issues like missing dynamic shadows, bugs with Sentinels, and general instability, though some players report it runs without crashes.
- Graphical and resolution issues (weight 0.11): Players report broken surface reflections, resolution-dependent bugs, and a lack of modern display resolution support, limiting visual fidelity.
- Final boss mission bugs (weight 0.1): Critical bugs in the last mission prevent the final boss from spawning, rendering the mission unplayable or broken for some players.
- Missing game files (weight 0.06): Reports of missing sound files and directories in the sequel, as well as other missing assets, disrupt gameplay and immersion.
- Clumsy 3D engine mechanics (weight 0.04): The 3D engine struggles with tight interiors and multi-level buildings, leading to awkward navigation and gameplay experiences.
- Outdated optimization (weight 0.04): The game is optimized for older systems like Windows 7, leading to compatibility and performance issues on newer hardware.
- Modding performance impact (weight 0.04): Modding the game, particularly for graphics, introduces significant performance issues, further straining system resources.

Recommendations:
- Must-play for turn-based tactics fans (weight 0.55): The game is widely recommended for fans of turn-based strategy, tactical RPGs, and deep combat systems, often compared to classics like XCOM and Jagged Alliance. Its tactical complexity and historical significance in the genre are frequently highlighted.
- High difficulty as core appeal (weight 0.47): The game's punishing difficulty is framed as a positive for players seeking a challenge, with some noting it as the most rewarding way to experience the design. However, it may deter casual players.
- Strong value despite outdated graphics (weight 0.27): Reviewers emphasize the game's worth at its price point, especially during sales, and note that its quality outweighs its dated visuals. The Steam version is particularly praised for improvements over older releases.
- GOG version preferred over Steam (weight 0.15): The Steam port is criticized for poor quality, while the GOG Gold Edition is recommended as the better alternative. This reflects dissatisfaction with the modern porting effort.
- Niche appeal for specific players (weight 0.14): The game is not universally recommended; it targets players willing to tolerate outdated mechanics, anachronistic elements (e.g., powered suits), or significant effort to progress. Some advise against purchasing unless fully committed.
- Mods recommended for fixes (weight 0.12): Players suggest using patches and mods to address bugs, improve graphics, and enhance gameplay (e.g., speeding up animations). This is a common workaround for the game's technical limitations.
- Remake or sequel requested (weight 0.09): Due to the game's enduring quality, reviewers frequently call for a modern remake or sequel, citing its potential to reintroduce the experience to new audiences.
- Balanced class selection advised (weight 0.03): Players recommend including all character classes to maintain gameplay balance, suggesting that omitting classes may hinder the experience.
- Save frequently to avoid frustration (weight 0.03): Due to the game's difficulty and potential bugs, reviewers advise frequent saving to mitigate frustration, especially in longer playthroughs.
- Sequel not well-received (weight 0.03): The sequel (Sentinels) is explicitly not recommended, indicating a perceived decline in quality or deviation from the original's strengths.

Other player notes:
- Sci-fi disrupts historical setting (weight 0.1): Players frequently criticize the inclusion of futuristic elements like combat robots and Panzerkleins, which clash with the World War II theme and break immersion. This deviation from historical accuracy is a major point of contention.
- Unofficial patches for technical fixes (weight 0.07): An unofficial patch is available to address shadow rendering issues, particularly for older Windows systems (Win7/8). This indicates a demand for post-launch technical support.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players experience frustration primarily due to pervasive technical issues, including game-breaking bugs, crashes, and stability problems that prevent mission completion, particularly in the Switzerland mission and final boss encounter. Additionally, clunky controls, inconsistent AI, poor camera mechanics, and outdated performance standards exacerbate the difficulty, forcing players to rely on save-scumming or unofficial patches.
- Excitement (weight 0.17): The game excites players with its deep tactical gameplay, particularly its destructible environments and physics-based mechanics, which allow for creative and emergent combat scenarios. Unique features like shooting through walls, realistic visibility systems, and chaotic yet satisfying destruction mechanics contribute to its engaging and replayable nature.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.13): Nostalgia stems from players' long-term personal histories with the game, often dating back to their childhood or the game's original release. The title's status as a genre classic, its influence on tactical games, and fond memories of its depth and replayability evoke strong sentimental attachment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.09): Disappointment arises from the game's failure to meet modern expectations, including outdated controls, repetitive level design, and a lack of developer support. Technical issues in the Steam version, such as missing files, graphical glitches, and unplayable bugs, further diminish the experience, especially when compared to its original release or other tactical games like X-COM.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players feel satisfied due to the game's tactical depth, destructible environments, and high replayability, which offer unique mission experiences and creative combat solutions. The Steam version's improvements, such as DRM removal and smooth performance, along with the game's immersive mechanics like looting and character progression, enhance this positive sentiment.
- Admiration (weight 0.06): Admiration is directed at the game's ambitious design, technical innovation, and lasting impact on the tactical genre. Players praise its attention to detail, realistic mechanics, and the depth of its destructible environments, often describing it as a high-quality and influential title.
- Amusement (weight 0.06): Amusement is derived from the game's humorous elements, such as cheesy voice acting, funny character dialogue, and unexpected or creative gameplay moments (e.g., accidentally destroying a house to retrieve documents). These lighthearted features add a layer of enjoyment beyond the tactical gameplay.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's destructible world, tactical complexity, and unique setting, which stand out as a domestically developed title. Its timeless quality, depth of systems, and blend of realism and creativity are frequently highlighted as reasons for admiration.
- Pride (weight 0.02): Pride is tied to the game's status as a standout product of Russian game development, noted for its thoughtful narrative, high production quality, and departure from typical WW2 clichés. Its success and influence on the genre are sources of national or cultural pride.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's innovative squad-based tactical gameplay and its lack of modern equivalents. Players passionate about the genre express excitement for its depth and the unique experiences it offers compared to contemporary titles.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation builds around the game's unique turn-based mechanics and the promise of immersive, late-night gaming sessions. Players look forward to the tactical depth and creative freedom the game provides.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): Players are amazed by the game's unmatched mechanics, such as shooting through walls and interactive environments, which remain impressive even years after its release. These features set it apart from other tactical games.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for the game's future, including desires for remasters, sequels, or additional entries in the series on platforms like Steam. Players wish to see the developer continue the franchise with modernized or expanded content.}