Best RTS about World War 2 is upcoming? Sudden Strike 5 returns to big-scale battles

I have to admit, when our editor-in-chief mentioned that a demo of Sudden Strike 5 was on the horizon, I wasn't feeling very optimistic. I had it coded in my head that the fourth installment of the series was a simplified and underdeveloped World War II RTS, unworthy of its name. However, it turns out that Kite Games Studio, responsible for both games, was—and still is—determined to meet the expectations of the series' fans.

More command, less hand-holding

The first step was to fix Sudden Strike 4 - most of the players' comments were taken into account. Bugs have been fixed, the interface has been improved, and now the game on Steam has mostly positive reviews and has become a hidden gem. Hidden, because when I started asking friends for opinions, they mainly repeated slogans from the time of the release, when the game was considered mid.

Sudden Strike 5, Kalypso Games, 2026.

However, now is the time for the exchange of foundations and evolution. Sudden Strike 5 aims to break away from the tunnel-like missions that didn't offer many tactical options. What's worse, the game still suffered from a problem already known from the first installments of the series created by Fireglow Games. We commanded a certain number of units, with occasional scripted support of additional troops, which often led to a dead-end situation after just 20 minutes into the mission.

Does Normandy ring a bell?

At the presentation, I saw a script titled "The Battle of Remagen," the American assault on the last bridge on the Rhine. Yes - the game once again focuses on popular themes: the Western and Eastern fronts, but there will also be no shortage of Africa and campaigns in Italy. There's going to be a lot of equipment and vehicles available - the devs promise a whopping 190 types of vehicles and 110 kinds of infantry. At the start, we will have access to 25 scenarios for factions typical for such games - allies, Soviets, Germans. However, fans of the Pacific War won't get a scenario; if it does appear, it will probably be included in a DLC.

It's clear that in Sudden Strike 5, the focus is on single-player gameplay, in line with the series' spirit. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that multiplayer will be missing - the classic deathmatch mode will also make a comeback, although we still have to wait for more details.

Sudden Strike 5, Kalypso Games, 2026.

Right away, you can see the key change compared to the previous installment: a larger scale and the camera being further away from the action. Sudden Strike 5 marks a return to the grandeur familiar from the first two installments of the series, while still allowing players to zoom in with the camera and enjoy the impressively detailed animations of the units. No more tightly scripted troop movements on cramped maps - this time we have large, open spaces with side missions. Carrying them out provides us with various forms of support. The most important of them will, of course, be air forces, to which we gain access, in the case of this mission, after taking over the radio station.

Buying units - heresy in Sudden Strike?

This is the first element that gives the player real control over what and how they fight. The second one is much more radical for Sudden Strike - for the first time, we will be able to buy units for prestige points obtained. The purchased equipment will be delivered by train on the map. This mechanism is meant to finally solve the problem that has been bothering series players for years - getting into increasingly unfavorable situations due to random losses, until the last 15 minutes of the mission had to be thrown away.

Sudden Strike 5, Kalypso Games, 2026.

The mechanics inspired by Company of Heroes will also return - commanders representing various doctrines. You will be able to choose cards offering specific bonuses for doctrine points, like reduced medic costs, vehicle repairs up to 50% efficiency, or increased front armor for tanks. It may not be as attractive a system as in CoH, where the biggest attraction were unique units, but it provides an interesting variety.

War has never been cooler?

The core of the clashes remains pretty much the same - Sudden Strike is still all about small-scale battles, prioritizing fun over realism, but with a touch of authenticity. Tanks have health points, but how many we lose depends on the direction of the bullet's impact. Ammo and fuel can run out, and the tracks can get damaged - that's why logistics and repair vehicles are still crucial. Don't count on full realism, though - the 380 mm mortar from the Sturmtiger can only take off a few percent of a heavy tank's health points. Despite this, thanks to the combination of proven battle mechanics with a new economy and larger scale, there is a high chance that Sudden Strike 5 will turn out to be the best installment in the series.

Sudden Strike 5, Kalypso Games, 2026.

The engineering units that can build pontoon bridges are also coming back, this time without predetermined locations imposed by the scenario. The destruction of the environment still maintains its level - bombing can instantly turn the landscape into ruins. It is still possible to take over abandoned vehicles, as demonstrated during the show, by taking over the mentioned German Sturmtiger.

A new aspect related to infantry - stress, will also appear in the game. The devs didn't delve into the details, emphasizing that they are still working on it. It will probably be an expansion of the surrender system known from Sudden Strike 4, which was previously only scripted.

If you were a big fan of the dynamic duo - sniper and artillery - in the first Sudden Strike games, you'll be able to have a blast with them again in the fifth installment. However, this time it will not be the only effective strategy or mandatory path to victory.

Sudden Strike 5, Kalypso Games, 2026.

I want it now, but we will wait until 2026

Kite Games' latest creation looks quite solid. If Sudden Strike 4 managed to convince even a part of the players, then there is a high probability that the next iteration will be a natural, satisfying entry for them. I have to admit, as a skeptical person about whether there's still room for RTS games like Sudden Strike today, I've become a fan hoping for an alternative to Company of Heroes that remembers the power of single-player scenarios.

We will wait for Sudden Strike 5 until 2026. We will play not only on PC, but also on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, because as the previous installment proved, there was also a place on the console market for fans of classic RTS games. Meanwhile, to make the wait more pleasant, I recommend playing Sudden Strike 4 again. It's a great example of what can be done with a game when you listen to player feedback after the release.

Sudden Strike 4

August 11, 2017

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• Overview
• Guide

• strategy games
• World War 2
• RTS
• Kalypso Media
• Kite Games