Gary Grigsby's War in the East Review Summary

A definitive Eastern Front simulation with historically accurate campaigns and extreme depth, though the excessively long manual, steep learning curve, and crashes may keep it from running smoothly.

Definitive Eastern Front simulation: The game is praised as the best and most accurate simulation of the Eastern Front 1941-45, covering the entire war with historically accurate units and operations.

Historically accurate campaigns: The game features historically accurate scenario campaigns and represents battles between Axis and Soviet Union with great fidelity.

Extreme depth and detail: Players highlight the game's incredible depth, covering supply, weather, morale, equipment, and division composition, making it an extensive and complex wartime simulation.

Highly recommended and loved: Many reviewers express strong enjoyment and wholeheartedly recommend the game, considering it outstanding and superb.

Excellent and adaptable AI: The AI provides credible offensives and defenses, adapts flexibly, and handles micromanagement, offering a challenging and competent opponent.

Manual is excessively long: Multiple reviews describe the manual as over 300 pages and daunting to read, yet it still fails to cover all game mechanics. This creates a high barrier to entry for new players.

High price for old game: Many players consider the price too high for a game that has been out for years, especially when compared to other titles. This is a common complaint that affects perceived value.

Steep learning curve: The game requires extensive reading and study to understand even basic mechanics, with no tutorial to ease new players into the experience. Many reviewers felt overwhelmed and unintelligent.

Game crashes and won't run: The game suffers from frequent crashes, memory leaks, and compatibility issues on Windows 10 with various language settings. Some players are unable to launch or progress at all.

AI slow and unpolished: The AI is slow, passive, and makes obvious mistakes, reducing the challenge and immersion. Players noted long turn times and unaggressive Soviet AI.

Eastern Front WWII wargame: The game is consistently described as a detailed simulation of the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1945, covering Operation Barbarossa to Berlin. It is an operational-level wargame focusing on the German-Soviet conflict.

Operational-level combat focus: The game emphasizes operational art and combat at the strategic and operational levels, with no production or diplomatic elements. It simulates realistic command and control.

Deep grand strategy experience: Reviewers highlight the game's high level of depth and complexity, requiring significant micromanagement and strategic planning. It is aimed at experienced strategy game players.

Turn-based with weekly turns: The game is turn-based, with each turn representing one week of wartime. Turns can be lengthy, sometimes taking hours, especially during complex phases.

Grand campaign included: The game features a grand campaign and main scenarios, providing a full strategic experience. It allows players to engage with the complete war on the Eastern Front.

Frequent random crashes: The game crashes all the time and suffers runtime errors on Windows 10, making it unstable for many players. Reboots, reloads, and beta versions have not resolved the issue.

Crash on saving: Multiple reports indicate the game crashes when attempting to save, especially after the latest update. Some saves before ending turn work intermittently, adding to frustration.

Game fails to launch: Various issues prevent the game from starting, including video codec problems, sound file conflicts, and IME conflicts for Korean users. These launch blockers stop players from accessing the game.

Window sizing problems: The game window cannot open wide enough, blocking part of the screen, and resolution settings are problematic. Maximizing, changing display resolutions, and updating drivers do not fix it.

Laptop display issues: Serious screen resolution problems affect laptop users, including oversized menus that block access. This makes the game difficult or impossible to play on many laptops.

Niche wargame for enthusiasts: The game is heavily recommended only for dedicated wargamers and WWII history buffs who appreciate complexity, realism, and long-term strategic thinking. Casual players or those seeking quick gratification are advised to avoid it.

Buy on sale: Many reviewers advise waiting for a sale or discounted price before purchasing due to the high cost. The game is often seen as worth it at a lower price, but not at full price.

Strong recommendation: A subset of reviewers strongly recommend the game without reservations, considering it a must-have for wargaming enthusiasts. They highlight its quality and depth as top-tier in the genre.

Requires time and patience: The game demands significant time investment, with turns taking 1-3 hours and a steep learning curve. It is not recommended for impatient players or those with limited time.

Deep historical simulation: The game is praised for its in-depth and realistic simulation of the Eastern Front, appealing to history lovers and those wanting more depth than games like Hearts of Iron IV. It is considered a must-have for serious wargamers.

Community fair range: $25.00 - $50.00.

Story completion: 180.0h.

Session length: 2.0h.

War in the East frustrates early with a steep learning curve and heavy complexity, but players report it becomes highly enjoyable once they complete the tutorial or otherwise master the basics, especially in multiplayer.

Friction: steep learning curve; complexity overwhelming at start; huge manual (approx. 400 pages); buried tutorial scenario; supply chain management tedious; need to learn hotkeys.

Unlock drivers: playing through the tutorial; reading the tutorial booklet; using online guides; learning hotkeys; playing small scenarios; playing multiplayer/PBEM.

Veteran Grognard: Studies manuals extensively, plans multi-turn campaigns, engages in deep strategic thinking, and often participates in PBEM or community multiplayer. Motivation: To wrestle with the most authentic and complex Eastern Front simulation, savoring every rule and logistical nuance. Stance: buy.

Eastern Front History Buff: Prefers single-player campaigns, reads up on historical context, experiments with different operational choices, and may engage in light community discussion. Motivation: To experience a granular and credible simulation of the Eastern Front, exploring historical scenarios and military decisions. Stance: buy.

Determined Newcomer: Starts with tutorials and small scenarios, reads guides and watches videos, frequently asks questions on forums, and is cautious about purchasing at full price. Motivation: To break into serious wargaming by conquering a notoriously complex title, gaining mastery through perseverance and external help. Stance: sale.

Linux and Proton: The limited evidence points to a recent Steam OS update breaking the game, turning a previously playable experience on Steam Deck into an unplayable one. While there is no broad consensus due to the small sample, the explicit regression to unplayable status is a serious Linux compatibility issue. No workarounds or tweaks are mentioned, placing the game on the edge of barely playable to broken.

Manual is extensive and lengthy: The game includes a huge manual, often described as over 300 pages, with detailed historical and mechanical information. Players are advised to read it fully to understand supply and fortification mechanics.

Compared to other wargames: Reviewers frequently compare this game to titles like War in the Pacific, Decisive Campaigns, Hearts of Iron, and Unity of Command, noting higher complexity and detail. It is seen as more manageable than War in the Pacific but still demanding.

Mods and community support: The game has an active community with mods for graphics and convenience, including fan translations like Russian and French. Community resources include guides, tutorials, AARs, and a Chinese manual translation, enhancing accessibility.

Comparisons to Hearts of Iron series: Reviewers compare the game to Hearts of Iron III and IV, noting it is more in-depth and realistic but also more complex. In contrast to HOI4, it lacks factory building and equipment production, focusing on management and reinforcements.

High price but worth it: The game has a high price tag, but reviewers justify it due to unlimited replayability, years of play, and lack of paywalled features. The cost per hour becomes cheap after extended play.