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Original War

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2014

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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

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have significant control over unit roles, vehicle customization, and strategic decisions affecting the campaign and story branches."

  • Competence
    5

    "The game demands skillful management of limited unique units, strategic planning, and adaptation to changing mission conditions."

  • Competition
    1

    "While multiplayer exists, reviews focus mostly on single-player experience with limited competitive emphasis."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Players report long playtimes, replayability due to branching storylines, and frequent returns to the game over many years."

  • Cooperation
    2

    "Some multiplayer and mod community activity exists, but core gameplay is focused on single-player and individual unit management."

  • Creativity
    4

    "High creativity in vehicle modular construction, unit role switching, and player-driven strategic choices."

  • Domination
    -3

    "Gameplay emphasizes careful management and survival of units rather than exerting superiority or dominance over others."

  • Escapism
    3

    "Players enjoy immersion in the unique time-travel story and alternate history setting as a form of escapism."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and nostalgia rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Encourages experimentation with unit roles, vehicle builds, and mission strategies."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Exploration of maps to find resource crates and secrets is important to gameplay."

  • Expression
    3

    "Customization of vehicles and unit roles allows player expression within gameplay."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "The time-travel and prehistoric setting provide a strong imaginative and fictional experience."

  • Fellowship
    1

    "Community and modding scene exists but is relatively small and localized."

  • Growth
    5

    "Strong RPG elements with unit skill progression and learning curve throughout the campaign."

  • Health
    -5

    "Typical sedentary computer gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires constant attention and micromanagement during missions."

  • Intimacy
    3

    "Players develop emotional attachment to unique characters and their survival."

  • Leadership
    4

    "Players lead and manage a limited team of unique soldiers with strategic decisions impacting outcomes."

  • Progression
    5

    "Persistent progression of unit skills, technology research, and vehicle upgrades across missions."

  • Relaxation
    -2

    "Gameplay is challenging and can be tense, requiring focus and careful planning."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Enjoyable audiovisual presentation with distinctive voice acting and atmospheric music."

  • Status
    -3

    "Focus is on individual player experience and story rather than social recognition or popularity."

  • Story
    5

    "Strong narrative immersion with branching storylines, character development, and meaningful choices."

  • Strategy
    5

    "High mental challenge with complex resource management, tactical combat, and planning."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Players experience suspense and tension from permanent unit loss and mission difficulty."

  • Value
    4

    "Players perceive strong value from gameplay depth, replayability, and ongoing community support."

  • Violence
    2

    "Combat and destruction are present but balanced with constructive base building and resource management."

  • Survival
    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around survival of limited units and overcoming threats with scarce resources."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026