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Unity of Command 2 interview: Evolving strategic battles

2x2 Games are preparing the follow up to their 2012 cult hit Unity of Command. We spoke with the team at PAX West to see how the sequel is shaping up.

Chris Jarrard

September 5, 2019 5:25 PM

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Back in 2011, the original Unity of Command was a refreshing take on the turn-based wargaming genre which had grown a bit stale in the years preceding the game’s release. AN intuitive interface and sharp A.I. helped the game gain a cult following among genre fans. Nearly a decade later, the developers at 2x2 Games are hard at work on preparing Unity of Command 2 and hope that the strategy sequel is something that series fans will be excited to play, as well as a product that can draw new blood to the table.

During the busy weekend of PAX West 2019, the Shacknews street team got a chance to speak with 2x2 Games about Unity of Command 2 while the game was being shown on the show floor.

Unity of Command 2 is built on an all-new 3D engine, while still retaining the Unity of Command signature art style and fluid gameplay. 2x2 promises that it will be easily accessible yet hard to master. The game puts you in command of Western Allies during the Second World War. You will manage your army’s divisions as well as their supply and logistics. Unity of Command 2 introduces a Fog of War mechanic to the series for the first time. Players can reveal the unknown by capturing enemy soldiers and launching recon to gather intel on enemy troop positions. 

Other features of Unity of Command 2 include:

• Dynamic Campaign — Rewrite the history of the Second World War with a branching campaign where no two playthroughs are alike.
• Headquarters — This new feature places army headquarters on the map, from which you will direct unit reorganization, bridging and resupply. Headquarters are not only essential to reinforcing and recovering lost unit strength, but are also able to deploy special abilities such as Emergency Supply, Motorizing units using HQ trucks, and many more.
• Theater Assets — This feature from the original game is greatly expanded in Unity of Command II. Wreak havoc behind enemy lines by sabotaging infrastructure. Order your aircraft to provide aerial recon, deliver devastating bombing runs, or sustain units behind enemy lines using air supply assets.
• Bonus Objectives — Participate in optional history-altering “what-if” objectives — lead the Western Allied charge to beat the Soviets to Berlin, or cancel Operation Market Garden to reinforce Patton’s army.
• Fog of War — Deal with your enemies — but you’ll have to find them first. Reveal enemy positions by capturing stragglers, upgrading the HQ and using its special abilities to uncover enemy special defense markers.
• Deep Operations — Unity of Command changed the world of turn-based strategy games forever by introducing its signature feature, supply lines. Keep a watchful eye on your logistics while planning to strike deep beyond enemy lines, sever supply lines and encircle enemy units.
• Accessible Scenario Editor — Unity of Command II features a full-fledged Allied campaign, with the addition of several defining battles of WWII that can be experienced from the Axis side. The game comes with a built-in scenario editor, allowing players to create and share new battlefields using the integrated Steam Workshop support.

Unity of Command 2 is expected to launch on PC sometime later this fall.

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Chris Jarrard

Contributing Tech Editor

Chris Jarrard likes playing games, crankin' tunes, and looking for fights on obscure online message boards. He understands that breakfast food is the only true food. Don't @ him.