Original War similar games & best alternatives
Original War
2014
Related articles
Quick resume
An American geological expedition, under a UN mandate, assesses the natural resources in a distant part of Siberia, deep in the trackless steppes of Eastern Russia. But instead of oil, they discover a deposit of a hitherto unknown mineral.
Global score
95/100
Genres
Indie, Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Pros
- Unique blend of rts and rpg elements
- Persistent unit progression and permadeath
- Branching storylines with meaningful choices
- Mod support and active community
- Challenging and strategic gameplay
Cons
- Dated graphics and audio
- Somewhat clunky ui and controls
- Lack of ai skirmish mode
- Russian campaign considered caricatured by some
- Steep difficulty and trial-and-error gameplay
Motivations
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Autonomy4
"Players have significant control over unit roles, vehicle customization, and strategic decisions affecting the campaign and story branches."
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Competence5
"The game demands skillful management of limited unique units, strategic planning, and adaptation to changing mission conditions."
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Competition1
"While multiplayer exists, reviews focus mostly on single-player experience with limited competitive emphasis."
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Continuation4
"Players report long playtimes, replayability due to branching storylines, and frequent returns to the game over many years."
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Cooperation2
"Some multiplayer and mod community activity exists, but core gameplay is focused on single-player and individual unit management."
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Creativity4
"High creativity in vehicle modular construction, unit role switching, and player-driven strategic choices."
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Domination-3
"Gameplay emphasizes careful management and survival of units rather than exerting superiority or dominance over others."
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Escapism3
"Players enjoy immersion in the unique time-travel story and alternate history setting as a form of escapism."
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Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and nostalgia rather than obligation."
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Experimenting4
"Encourages experimentation with unit roles, vehicle builds, and mission strategies."
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Exploration3
"Exploration of maps to find resource crates and secrets is important to gameplay."
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Expression3
"Customization of vehicles and unit roles allows player expression within gameplay."
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Fantasy3
"The time-travel and prehistoric setting provide a strong imaginative and fictional experience."
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Fellowship1
"Community and modding scene exists but is relatively small and localized."
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Growth5
"Strong RPG elements with unit skill progression and learning curve throughout the campaign."
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Health-5
"Typical sedentary computer gameplay with no physical activity involved."
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Idle-4
"Requires constant attention and micromanagement during missions."
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Intimacy3
"Players develop emotional attachment to unique characters and their survival."
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Leadership4
"Players lead and manage a limited team of unique soldiers with strategic decisions impacting outcomes."
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Progression5
"Persistent progression of unit skills, technology research, and vehicle upgrades across missions."
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Relaxation-2
"Gameplay is challenging and can be tense, requiring focus and careful planning."
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Sensation2
"Enjoyable audiovisual presentation with distinctive voice acting and atmospheric music."
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Status-3
"Focus is on individual player experience and story rather than social recognition or popularity."
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Story5
"Strong narrative immersion with branching storylines, character development, and meaningful choices."
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Strategy5
"High mental challenge with complex resource management, tactical combat, and planning."
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Thrill3
"Players experience suspense and tension from permanent unit loss and mission difficulty."
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Value4
"Players perceive strong value from gameplay depth, replayability, and ongoing community support."
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Violence2
"Combat and destruction are present but balanced with constructive base building and resource management."
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Survival5
"Core gameplay revolves around survival of limited units and overcoming threats with scarce resources."
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Last update: 06/03/2026