Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

1914: The Great War unfolds over two distinct campaigns, each comprising fifteen missions that faithfully recreate pivotal battles of World War I. Whether you don the uniform of an Allied or German officer, the game challenges you to adapt your tactics to trenches, open fields, and fortified positions. Missions range from seizing enemy entrenchments to holding critical supply lines, ensuring each scenario feels fresh and historically grounded.

At its core, the game employs classic turn-based mechanics reminiscent of Blue Byte’s Historyline: 1914-1918. You’ll maneuver infantry, artillery, and pioneer units across a hex-based map, weighing movement points against cover and line of sight. The fully rotatable, zoom-able battlefield lets you examine every angle—from the high ground overlooking No Man’s Land to dense woods where enemy patrols lurk.

Tactical variety is a highlight: pioneers can dig forward trenches or erect barbed wire obstacles, while artillery units deliver devastating barrages that shape the battlefield. Recon units can spot hidden foes, and stormtroopers excel in close-quarters assaults. Victory rarely hinges on brute force alone; proper reconnaissance, well-timed barrages, and coordinated assaults often decide the day.

Graphics

Though developed in the late 1990s, 1914: The Great War’s graphics remain serviceable and functional for a historical wargame. The hex-grid overlay is clean and unobtrusive, letting you appreciate the detailed 2D sprites of soldiers, trenches, and artillery emplacements. Each map incorporates varied terrain—muddied fields, forested sectors, and cratered battlegrounds—that clearly influences movement and line of sight.

The ability to rotate and zoom the battlefield adds a quasi-3D feel rarely seen in its era. Zooming in reveals animated soldier sprites digging trenches, firing rifles, and manning machine-gun nests. Zooming out grants a broader strategic view. Though unit animations are relatively simple, they reinforce your immersion in early 20th-century warfare.

Environmental details such as smoke plumes from artillery, flickering muzzle flashes, and subtle terrain deformation after bombardments enhance the sense of a living battlefield. The UI, while dated, provides clear icons for unit status, movement range, and morale, ensuring the visual presentation stays both informative and historically atmospheric.

Story

Rather than a single narrative thread, 1914: The Great War weaves its story through a series of mission briefings, after-action reports, and period photographs. Each battle introduction supplies historical context, explaining why your objectives matter in the larger scope of the war. Although there are no voiced cutscenes, the text-based storytelling effectively conveys the urgency and human cost of each engagement.

You’ll find yourself invested in the fates of individual units as you lead them from Verdun to Ypres to the Somme. Casualties are permanent, and veteran units accumulate experience, fostering a genuine attachment to your hardened infantry squads. The ebb and flow of early trench warfare—initial advances stalling against barbed wire and machine-gun fire—unfolds with brutal authenticity.

While the game doesn’t dramatize personal stories with dialogue trees or character portraits, it maintains a respectful tone toward its historical subject. The focus remains squarely on operational decision-making and the stark realities of World War I combat, providing a sobering glimpse into one of history’s bloodiest conflicts.

Overall Experience

1914: The Great War offers a deep, methodical wargaming experience that will appeal most to history buffs and strategy purists. Its pace is deliberate—each turn demands careful deliberation, and a hasty advance can be met with devastating counter-battery fire. The learning curve is gentle but rewarding, with a built-in tutorial mission to acquaint new players with basic movement, combat, and entrenchment mechanics.

Replayability is strong, thanks to the dual campaigns and flexible approach to mission objectives. You can experiment with defensive trench warfare one playthrough and aggressive flanking maneuvers the next. A mission editor is also included, allowing you to recreate additional scenarios or challenge friends with custom battlefields.

Although the presentation shows its age and modern conveniences like real-time fog of war or dynamic weather are absent, the game’s focus on authentic World War I tactics remains its greatest strength. If you seek a thoughtful turn-based wargame that emphasizes historical immersion over flashy visuals, 1914: The Great War stands as a commendable choice.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10