Making History Gold Edition is the expanded and updated version of the original WWII grand strategy game Making History: Calm & the Storm. Command your nation and change the course of history.
The game allows players to take control of over 80 unique nations during World War II, from global superpowers to smaller countries. This diverse selection enables players to experiment with a wide range of strategies and playstyles, from attempting to alter historical events to recreating the actual course of the war.
Effectively managing a country's resources, such as coal, metal, and oil, is essential to the gameplay. Players must carefully balance the allocation of these resources to build up their industrial and military might. Improving the production capacity of cities and factories is crucial, as it directly impacts a player's ability to field a powerful armed force. Skillfully managing the economy and supply chains is a key skill for players to master.
The game presents players with constant strategic decisions, such as whether to focus on defensive or offensive military buildup, which technologies to research, and how to handle diplomacy with other nations. These choices can have far-reaching consequences, as the actions of one country can trigger responses from allies and enemies alike. The open-ended nature of the game allows for endless replayability, as players can experiment with different strategies and observe how they impact the course of the war.
While the combat system is relatively straightforward, with battles largely determined by the relative strength of the opposing forces, players must still carefully consider their tactical decisions. Factors such as the types of units deployed, terrain, and supply lines all play a role in the outcome of battles. Effectively managing the composition and movement of armies is an important skill for players to develop.
One of the game's strengths is its relatively straightforward learning curve, making it accessible to both newcomers to the grand strategy genre and seasoned players. The clean, intuitive interface and well-designed tutorials help players quickly grasp the game's mechanics, allowing them to focus on the strategic and tactical elements.
The game's ability to generate unique historical narratives is a major draw for players. The combination of the AI's dynamic behavior and the player's ability to make unconventional choices leads to a wide range of possible outcomes, from plausible alternate histories to completely fantastical scenarios. This encourages players to experiment and explore the game's depth, further enhancing the overall experience.
Reviewers consistently praise the game's balance between complexity and accessibility, often describing it as a "grand strategy game for everyone." The ability to play as any one of the diverse nations and the open-ended nature of the gameplay have also been highlighted as key strengths, contributing to the game's high replayability and popularity among both casual and hardcore strategy enthusiasts.