Sudden Strike 4

 PlayStation 4
  • Publisher: Kalypso
  • Release Date: Aug 15, 2017
  • Also On: PC
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 32
  3. Negative: 6 out of 32
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  1. CharlesFBronson
    Aug 27, 2017
    9
    Make no mistake this game is amazing and that comes from veteran that played the hell out of the first two Sudden strikes (third one- not so much). Im so glad that such good strategy game ended on Ps4 ! Btw the game allows (like the predecessors) pause and play so controls shouldn't be a problem at all.
  2. TZD
    Sep 3, 2017
    10
    Great game its very nice to play RTS games on a console with a big screen and optimized controlls, thats something i can apreciate. i wish more RTS would come out on consoles.
  3. PS-Online
    Nov 5, 2017
    9
    Anyone reading this review that have come to know me over the years will know straight away that anything World War 2 gets me excited. Amongst all the made up over the top future shooter nonsense that has flooded the games market over the past decade has made me turn my back on most shooters. It's refreshing to see developers go back to WW2. Kite are a new developer set up two years agoAnyone reading this review that have come to know me over the years will know straight away that anything World War 2 gets me excited. Amongst all the made up over the top future shooter nonsense that has flooded the games market over the past decade has made me turn my back on most shooters. It's refreshing to see developers go back to WW2. Kite are a new developer set up two years ago and Sudden Strike 4 is there new baby. You can see the love for the great series they have inherited.

    Sudden Strike 4 is brilliant. There I've said it. Now if you want to deduct one or two marks from my score because of the lack of this type of game on PlayStation consoles and take my excitement level into account, feel free. But what you also have to know is that I've played very few PC games, one I have played is the brilliant Company of Heroes. SS4 is a real time strategy game. Anyone who doesn't know what that is I will quickly try to help out. Basically you have units that you give orders to. Tanks, infantry, and call in air strikes etc. All from a top down prospective, playing god if you like. Key to victory is to plan what is you best move. Hold back repair trucks and fuel supplies to back up any rushed move you may have regretted. Take your time. Choose well.

    Every mission has a small intro to tell you the basics of what you have to do. You can choose some upgrades from three different generals before you start and the more stars you earn, a possible 3 from each mission, will unlock these extras. From repair kits to sandbags, health to extra ammo, choose carefully for each battle. Now your mission can end before it even starts if you just rush off looking for a quick fix. The game is VERY unforgiving even on easy if you rush your moves or send your troops blind into a hail of gunfire you'll be hitting restart. I ended in an epic fail many times and when I replayed the same mission with more care I got through in a breeze.

    You have three campaigns. Ailed, Russian and German. These play out differently. Some are very hard even on easy and trying to find the right solution can be quite trying at times. The first ailed mission is one of the best in my opinion giving you a fantastic overall play of most of the units in the game. You start with the 101st airborne and take what looks like Sainte Mere Eglise, then land on Utah Beach as the US infantry to fight your way off the beaches and link up with the airborne. Exciting stuff. You can zoom in on the action holding R1 and pan the camera about 180 degrees with the analogue stick but the annoying thing is that the camera then snaps back. I'd much rather 360 degrees control over the camera and this is a strange omission from the game. I have mailed Kalypso the publishers to ask of a possible patch.

    Maps range across France, Belgium, Germany and Russia. The developer has done a fantastic job of trying to mix it up by using weather effects to make maps look different and even city scape's when moving inland. The bridge over the Rhine, Stalingrad, Berlin, Battle of the bulge, Overlord, Market Garden, it's all here.

    Graphically speaking it all looks great. It states that the game is "Pro Enhanced". So on looking at my TV the game does seem to be playing in 4K. I'm sure it's not native but it all looks great. The flashes of lightning, chitter chatter of the troops running in the rain and break outs of gunfire is just brilliant. I played on my 50" Sony 4K HDR TV with Sony DTS Surround booming. You can be moving in virtual silence only to encounter enemies with busts of gunfire and tank shells booming and shaking my floor.

    Multiplayer is all here. Skirmish mode lets you and seven others take control over set units and try to take strategic points on the maps taken from parts of the game. You can also play against the computer. I have to be honest here, it works but this, for me anyway is best played as a single player game. Don't get me wrong, it all works fine but I love the single player. It's worth noting that when playing you can pause and choose all your moves then play again so your not under pressure. Using a controller will be fround upon by PC players but hey, it works just fine. You can hold L2 and bring up the mini map and in doing so move to an area very fast moving the right stick.

    Sudden Strike 4 has a tutorial so don't worry if you've not played a game like this before. The menus are slick with real WW2 footage playing out in the background. My advise is to turn the background music off. It's a very surreal feeling hearing the wind blow through trees and birds tweeting before all hell breaks loose only to fade away again to peace, birds go about there business again unaware of the carnage that has just ensued.

    War is hell! Playing Sudden Strike 4 is an absolute joy. You can download now from the store or buy the retail version from £27.85 from shopto now.
    Sudden Strike 4 is a PlayStaion 4 console exclusive.    … Expand
  4. Hengist_
    Sep 22, 2017
    9
    A solid console RTS, with responsive AI, both friend and foe. The 'pause and command' feature is brilliant, emphasising that this is not a 'rush' style RTS title, which is very much appreciated. Excellent graphics on terrain details and an authentic representation of the period vehicles. Good replayability, via the three available doctrines. Also, an educational title for those interestedA solid console RTS, with responsive AI, both friend and foe. The 'pause and command' feature is brilliant, emphasising that this is not a 'rush' style RTS title, which is very much appreciated. Excellent graphics on terrain details and an authentic representation of the period vehicles. Good replayability, via the three available doctrines. Also, an educational title for those interested in history, which may prompt further discovery on Wikipedia or a similar site, ultimately, perhaps, even inspiring a life long passion for the subject.
    An ideal gift for all, available from all good outlets or digitally (whichever's cheapest or more convenient).    … Expand
  5. EvilBunnyGames
    Aug 15, 2017
    9
    Awesome game. it's really very interesting and great game. You can play 3 different campaigns: German, Soviet Union and Allies. And there is also skirmish and multiplayer mode.
  6. Berik
    Dec 4, 2018
    7
    Top down RTS World War II game. Campaigns from the perspective of the Nazi's, the allies and the Russians. Very cool! A shame the game doesn't shine so bright at the Playstation 4 though.

    In its concept the game is very appealling. RTS game about some famous battles in the second world war, which is interesting. However, quickly after starting up the game i noticed some flaws with the    Top down RTS World War II game. Campaigns from the perspective of the Nazi's, the allies and the Russians. Very cool! A shame the game doesn't shine so bright at the Playstation 4 though.

    In its concept the game is very appealling. RTS game about some famous battles in the second world war, which is interesting. However, quickly after starting up the game i noticed some flaws with the game. The camera itself can't rotate, which limits your perspective. Selecting units is an exercise in frustration as you can't click and drag your cursor, but instead you have to use a very unstable circle selector. You can't click on the mini map to quickly switch to another region on the map, and the screen only moves slowly if you do it with the regular controls. This has already led to quite some frustration in the first 2 hours of playing. I hope this is better on the PC version.

    Apart from that, the game is a lot of fun. Seeing shells bounce of tank destroyers gives you that extra feeling of excitement, and the AI puts up a good fight. It is a good game, i give it a 7/10.    … Expand
  7. Generalxxbob
    Dec 25, 2019
    5
    The only and the biggest issue is that u can't make new troops during the game. U play with what the game has plus some reinforces during the game. Nice graphics, nice music but it really sucks when u can't make new troops. The game has zero replay value since u start with the same units and the enemies are at the same spot.
  8. Menni
    Apr 27, 2020
    5
    Grafica e audio gli unici pregi. Occasione mancata per il fatto dei pochi titoli del genere su console. Assurdo metodo di selezione truppe, prededinite ad inizio missione e nel numero bassissimo, che non rispondono ai comandi o eseguono percorsi strani. Nemici che ingaggiano sempre fuori dal proprio campo visivo, unità di fanteria irriconoscibili sul campo, zoom inutile, mappe piccole,Grafica e audio gli unici pregi. Occasione mancata per il fatto dei pochi titoli del genere su console. Assurdo metodo di selezione truppe, prededinite ad inizio missione e nel numero bassissimo, che non rispondono ai comandi o eseguono percorsi strani. Nemici che ingaggiano sempre fuori dal proprio campo visivo, unità di fanteria irriconoscibili sul campo, zoom inutile, mappe piccole, pochissime modalità di gioco… Expand
  9. AceGriffin
    Jun 3, 2020
    8
    It's a really good all around decent game for any really die hard RTS fan that doesn't have a PC, but if you do have a PC, There are better games out there for you.
  10. Pohitos
    Jun 29, 2021
    9
    I've registered at Metacritic just to rate that game, it is phenomenal and plays well on a gamepad.
  11. eduardocecconi
    Nov 28, 2021
    10
    Sudden Strike IV is the most underrated game ever. It's amazing how Kalypso had developed a infinite card of tactical possibilites due to the mechanics: you can control as many soldiers/vehicles as you want. In most games you have to move all your troops together as a indivisible group, while in SS4 you can send one soldier to scout ahead, scatter to siege as you wish...and all of thisSudden Strike IV is the most underrated game ever. It's amazing how Kalypso had developed a infinite card of tactical possibilites due to the mechanics: you can control as many soldiers/vehicles as you want. In most games you have to move all your troops together as a indivisible group, while in SS4 you can send one soldier to scout ahead, scatter to siege as you wish...and all of this embraced by an excellent historical narrative. I have 97% of the trophies (only 2 left) adding the 3 main campaigns and the 4 DLCs, and there's always a willingness to play again, because it's a game that doesn't repeat itself.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Vandal
    Sep 10, 2017
    70
    This is a great comeback for the series, that delivers a good strategy game together with an excellent setting.
    Read full review
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 7, 2017
    60
    What's here is mostly enjoyable. [Oct 2017, p.87]
  3. Worth Playing
    Aug 31, 2017
    75
    Fans of the WWII era or the RTS genre — or both — will get the most out of Sudden Strike 4. It is a high-quality product in terms of graphics and immersion, and the title provides a great experience full of tense and satisfying moments. There's a lengthy campaign that'll take more than a dozen hours to get through, and multiplayer and skirmish modes offer endless playability. The multiplayer portion requires planning ahead with friends or joining the small online community. Gamers who are on board with all of that will be fine with buying the title now, but others may want to wait until the price drops a bit.
    Read full review
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