This War of Mine

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It can be said that most of the titles of the war theme put the player into the position of a soldier, with magnificent scenery, fierce but heroic. Personally I am also a fan of shooters like Call of Duty or Battlefield.

But one thing that can hardly be denied is that the above games have made gamers or young people get a partial view of what is happening in the war. The heroic action, the cutscenes of the blockbuster movies has made us forget about the basics of war: They are fierce, violent and full of loss.

Another look of war has been described in Valiant Hearts, a horizontal role-playing game that debuted in June. Still on the shoulders of soldiers, but the war they are engaged in is full of what many other war games have forgotten: The pain, the sacrifice, or the things the human self has to give up when stepped on fight.

Meanwhile, the title will be featured in our detailed review today, This War of Mine, although it offers a somewhat similar experience, but opens up a completely different perspective. The number of video games taking the topic of war: The common people, the survivors of the battlefield, the inexperienced people are forced to survive the danger of stalking them from everywhere.

This War of Mine has no long-winded gates, does not create spectacular cut scenes. 11 Bit Studio puts the player on the most pressing task survivors must do: Try to survive the dreaded dangers inside the besieged city.

The game allows you to play as many anonymous characters in the game. Before the war, they have their own life, can be happy, can not. But they all overturned completely when the war began. Nowadays, they are forced to hide in homes that are attacked by military weapons to break apart, guarding themselves from the threat of the game, from the snipers. scattered around the city, until hunger, cold or illness, and even the survivors, accepted to do everything to survive, including stripping the lives of other strangers.

Meanwhile, the night will be the time when the gameplay of This War of Mine becomes completely different. This change has made the depth and realism of the game is much stronger. One of the teammates you control will have to go out to find the most important resources in the game.

However, this is not an easy task at all. Initially, the houses you explore are uninhabited or have very few people. But the higher you are, the more homes you have to look for to get your supplies. There are guards willing to kill strangers to protect them.

If daytime is the time for you to make your own meals, essential products for life, from the bed to keep the character from getting cold in the middle of winter, Deciding on the game’s contents as a lock or crowbar, the night is when This War of Mine becomes a survival game, when you must be careful in every step to survive and can bring essential things for your “family”.

Each character in the game has its own skills, such as running fast, cooking skills or the ability to collect good supplies.

There is almost no “surplus” concept in This War of Mine. Unlike Do not Starve, a classic survival game. You will have to use the essential tools in the game to create the necessary furniture. Similarly, the ability to “carry” of the characters in the game is not high. They can not even carry a chest to collect their supplies. Therefore, from raw materials, food, medicine, water, all need reasonable allocation if the player does not want to end the game too soon.

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This War Of Mine: The Little Ones (Xbox One) Buy it now

Gameplay Mechanics

Survival and Resource Management

At its core, “This War of Mine” is a survival game that requires players to manage a group of civilians who are holed up in a dilapidated shelter. The primary objective is to ensure their survival by gathering resources, crafting necessary items, and making difficult decisions.

Pros:

• Challenging Resource Management: Players must manage a variety of resources, including food, medicine, and building materials. The scarcity of these resources adds a layer of challenge and realism to the game, forcing players to make tough choices about how to allocate them.
• Crafting System: The crafting system is intuitive and essential for survival. Players can craft tools, weapons, and improvements to their shelter, which adds depth to the gameplay and allows for strategic planning.
• Dynamic Weather and Day-Night Cycle: The game features a dynamic weather system and a day-night cycle. During the day, players focus on fortifying their shelter and taking care of their survivors, while at night, they venture out to scavenge for supplies. This cycle adds to the tension and realism of the experience.

Cons:

• Steep Learning Curve: The game can be unforgiving, especially for new players. The steep learning curve may be daunting for some, as mistakes can have severe consequences for the survival of the group.
• Repetitive Scavenging: While scavenging is a crucial part of the gameplay, it can become repetitive over time. The locations, while varied, may start to feel similar after multiple playthroughs.

Moral Dilemmas and Choices

One of the standout features of “This War of Mine” is the emphasis on moral dilemmas and the impact of player choices. The game forces players to confront difficult decisions that have significant consequences for their group of survivors.

Pros:

• Complex Moral Decisions: The game presents players with numerous moral dilemmas, such as whether to steal from other survivors, how to handle encounters with strangers, and when to prioritize the needs of the group over individual desires. These decisions are rarely black-and-white and often come with severe consequences, adding depth and emotional weight to the gameplay.
• Character Development: Each survivor has a unique backstory and set of skills, which influence their reactions to different situations. This character development adds a personal touch to the game and makes players more invested in their fates.
• Impactful Consequences: The consequences of player choices are significant and can lead to different outcomes for the survivors. This creates a sense of agency and encourages players to think carefully about their actions.

Cons:

• Limited Replayability: While the moral dilemmas are impactful, the limited number of scenarios and choices can reduce replayability. Once players have experienced the major story beats, subsequent playthroughs may feel less surprising and emotionally engaging.

Exploration and Combat

Exploration and combat are integral parts of “This War of Mine,” especially during night-time scavenging missions. Players must navigate dangerous environments, avoid hostile encounters, and gather essential supplies.

Pros:

• Atmospheric Exploration: The game’s environments are richly detailed and atmospheric, capturing the bleak and oppressive nature of a war-torn city. The exploration mechanics are tense and immersive, as players must carefully search for supplies while avoiding danger.
• Stealth and Strategy: Combat in “This War of Mine” is primarily focused on stealth and strategy. Players must decide whether to engage in combat or avoid it altogether. This emphasis on stealth adds a layer of tension and requires careful planning.
• Varied Locations: The game features a variety of locations to explore, each with its own challenges and opportunities. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and encourages players to adapt their strategies.

Cons:

• Limited Combat Mechanics: The combat mechanics are relatively simple and can feel clunky at times. The focus on stealth and avoidance over direct combat may not appeal to all players.
• Predictable Encounters: After multiple playthroughs, some encounters and scenarios may become predictable. This predictability can reduce the tension and surprise of exploration.

Narrative and Themes

Storytelling and Atmosphere

“This War of Mine” excels in its storytelling and atmosphere, providing a haunting and emotional portrayal of the civilian experience during wartime. The narrative is conveyed through the environment, character interactions, and player choices.

Pros:

• Environmental Storytelling: The game’s environments are filled with details that tell the story of the war and its impact on the city and its inhabitants. This environmental storytelling is subtle and effective, immersing players in the world without relying on traditional narrative techniques.
• Emotional Impact: The game does an excellent job of conveying the emotional toll of war on civilians. The characters’ personal stories, combined with the harsh realities of survival, create a powerful and moving experience.
• Authentic Representation: Inspired by real-world conflicts, “This War of Mine” provides an authentic representation of the struggles faced by civilians in war. This authenticity is both eye-opening and thought-provoking.

Cons:

• Lack of Traditional Plot: The game does not have a traditional plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Instead, it focuses on the day-to-day survival of the characters. While this approach is effective in conveying the game’s themes, some players may prefer a more structured narrative.
• Limited Character Interaction: While the characters have unique backstories, their interactions can feel limited and repetitive. More dynamic and varied character interactions could have added depth to the narrative.

Themes and Messages

“This War of Mine” explores several important themes and messages, making it a thought-provoking and impactful game.

Pros:

• The Horrors of War: The game effectively highlights the horrors of war and its devastating impact on civilians. It challenges players to consider the human cost of conflict and the difficult choices that ordinary people must make to survive.
• Moral Ambiguity: The moral dilemmas in the game emphasize the ambiguity and complexity of ethical decisions in extreme circumstances. This theme encourages players to reflect on their own values and the nature of morality.
• Empathy and Compassion: “This War of Mine” fosters empathy and compassion by putting players in the shoes of civilians caught in a war zone. It provides a unique perspective that is often overlooked in war-themed games.

Cons:

• Heavy Themes: The game’s heavy themes and emotional intensity may not appeal to all players. Some may find the experience too bleak or distressing, which could limit its appeal to a broader audience.
• Lack of Resolution: The game’s focus on the ongoing struggle for survival means that there is often no clear resolution or happy ending. While this reflects the realities of war, it may leave some players feeling unsatisfied.

Graphics and Audio

Visual Design

The visual design of “This War of Mine” is striking and effective, using a unique art style to convey the bleakness of the game’s setting.

Pros:

• Distinct Art Style: The game’s hand-drawn, sketch-like art style is visually distinctive and adds to the atmosphere of desolation and despair. The muted color palette and detailed environments enhance the sense of immersion.
• Attention to Detail: The environments are richly detailed, with many small touches that convey the history and suffering of the city’s inhabitants. This attention to detail adds depth to the game’s world and narrative.
• Character Design: The characters are well-designed and visually distinct, with animations that reflect their physical and emotional states. This visual storytelling adds to the emotional impact of the game.

Cons:

• Repetitive Environments: While the environments are detailed, there is some repetition in the design of different locations. This can make certain areas feel less unique and reduce the sense of discovery.
• Technical Limitations: The game’s visual style may not appeal to players who prefer more realistic graphics. Additionally, the technical limitations of the game may result in occasional graphical glitches or performance issues.

Audio Design

The audio design of “This War of Mine” is integral to its atmosphere, using sound to enhance the emotional and immersive experience.

Pros:

• Atmospheric Soundtrack: The game’s soundtrack is haunting and evocative, perfectly capturing the mood of the setting. The music enhances the emotional impact of the gameplay and adds to the overall immersion.
• Ambient Sounds: The ambient sounds, from the distant gunfire to the creaking of the shelter, create a sense of presence and tension. These sounds help to convey the constant danger and uncertainty of the characters’ situation.
• Voice Acting: While limited, the voice acting in the game is effective and adds to the realism of the characters’ interactions. The subtle and understated delivery fits the tone of the game.

Cons:

• Repetitive Audio Cues: Some audio cues, such as character responses and ambient noises, can become repetitive over time. This repetition can detract from the immersion and make certain aspects of the game feel less dynamic.
• Limited Dialogue: The limited dialogue and voice acting may leave some players wanting more character interaction and narrative depth. More varied and dynamic dialogue could have enhanced the storytelling and immersion.