The global strategy genre has long been associated with heavyweights such as Hearts of Iron from Paradox Interactive. These are large-scale games in which you can rewrite the course of world history. However, not everyone is ready to dive into dozens of hours of learning and micromanagement. In this context, Call of War comes to the fore — a browser-based real-time MMO strategy game inspired by World War II. But can it be considered a real alternative to Hearts of Iron?
What is Call of War
Call of War is a multiplayer online strategy game released by German studio Bytro Labs in 2015. The game allows you to take control of one of the countries of World War II, develop its economy, conduct research, produce military units, and capture territory. All actions take place on a large strategic map in real time — armies can move across provinces for hours, and building construction can take days.
Up to 100 players can participate in a single game. Players compete with each other or form coalitions to achieve victory — dominance on the global map.
Key gameplay features
Call of War offers fairly deep mechanics for a browser game. There are over 120 types of military units: infantry, artillery, tanks, navy, aviation, strategic missiles, and even atomic bombs. You can also build infrastructure — factories, fortifications, airfields, and seaports.
Players manage resources (oil, food, metal, rare materials, etc.), engage in trade and diplomacy, conduct reconnaissance, and plan combat operations. Much attention is paid to technology and troop balance, including the influence of terrain on combat effectiveness.
Similarities with Hearts of Iron
Call of War and Hearts of Iron share the setting of World War II and a commitment to historical accuracy. Both games allow you to feel like a supreme commander, command armies, develop technology, and form alliances. In both cases, resources, logistics, industry, and competent strategy are important.
The principles of large-scale management are also similar — the player controls not a single soldier, but an entire country. They make decisions that will affect the fate of dozens of provinces and millions of soldiers.
What is the difference
Despite their external similarities, there are key differences between these games.
First, the pace. Call of War is played in real time, and each action takes hours or even days. Hearts of Iron works in a conditional turn-based mode, where the player can pause the game and rewind time.
Second, the level of detail. Hearts of Iron is a deep political simulation with national focuses, ideological influences, government management, divisional design, and a host of internal parameters. Call of War is more simplified in this regard: political elements are limited to basic diplomacy and trade.
Thirdly, the monetization model. Call of War is free-to-play, but includes an in-game currency (“gold”) that can be used to speed up production or exploration. This has been criticized by some of the community as an example of “pay-to-win.” Hearts of Iron is a paid game with no donations, but with a lot of DLC.
What players say
Reviews of Call of War are generally positive, especially among strategy fans who don’t have the ability or desire to run heavy PC games. Players appreciate the well-thought-out economic and combat balance, realistic map, and long-term games. However, there is often criticism, primarily for the slow pace and donation system.
Reddit users write that the game requires patience, strategic thinking, and the ability to negotiate with other players. Those who came from Hearts of Iron note that Call of War offers a different experience — less ambitious, but more interactive and accessible.
Conclusion
Call of War is not a replacement for Hearts of Iron, but rather its browser-based cousin. It offers a lighter and more accessible format for global strategy during World War II. There is less political depth, but more emphasis on economics, logistics, micro-management of units, and interaction with live players.
For fans of strategy games in the vein of Risk, Axis & Allies, and Supremacy 1914, Call of War can be an exciting and addictive experience. But for fans of grand historical scenarios with political intrigue and a million settings, it’s better to stick with Hearts of Iron.
