Theatre of War 3: Korea

Other reviews have pointed out its obvious flaws. It's not a very good game, but if you're interested in the Korean war, it's currently (unfortunately) the best there is as far as Combat Mission style RTSes go. It clearly had potential to be so much better. It's definitely not worth any more than $7.

It is very good game but it crushes very usually and that makes it unplayable

To be far, i think this game is just ok, it's not pure dumpster trash but it ain't no TF2 or War games. It is its own little thing and one of very few Korean War games, so i might as well give it a thumbs up for how original it is.

like all of this series its not easy, this is probably the hardest of the series with limited troops, if youre a select the lot and send them in itl be a very quick loss, as all of them strategy is key.
the a.i can be brutal, so dont worry after doing the same battle 10 times if you need to put it on easy

I don't get all the bad reviews. Its a Theatre of War, if you know what I mean. It has it's issues (unit control and some pathfinding), but if you get the time to learn the way to get things done, it's a realistic, SLOW paced, good looking RTS. I didn't have to learn because is almost exactly the same as in the previous ones, so if you have played them, you know what to expect.

The campaign it's with a simple "grand strategy map" in which you move fast your troops with little hassle, to get into battle. You can play both Americans or North Koreans. But the game also has a "hidden" faction in the editor: the mighty early 1950's USSR, with the posibility of making missions and campaigns with them.

If you experience CTDs during gameplay (I had two or three) you can fix it capping the framerate in your graphics card driver (I set it to 30 fps, more than enough in this game and it never crashed again).

Conclussion: not for everyone but a good fun if you know the drill

it just lags and dosen't work well the editor is broken. I regret my purchase i bet it can be better they didn't put any work it can be better you were just lazy

TLDR: Theater of War (and it's cousin Combat Mission [not available on steam, goto battlefront.com]) is to strategy what the Arma series is to first person shooters

While in terms of strategy game I prefer, and highly recommend, the Combat Mission series, over Theater of War, this game does have its merrits. First and foremost, unless you can handle micromanagment of units engaged across, at times, a wide front, do not get this game as it, simply put, is not for you. However, if you enjoy that concept, as well as a subject matter that is oft looked over, or only casually brought up in video games, I highly recommend you try it out. There is a STEEP learning curve, and this..I feel... is the main con to the game. Some have complained about the AI, however what needs to be taken into account is that, in many respects, I've found it to be more realistic than not. Having served in the military, I can tell you that even the most vigilant of soldiers is not goint to notice everything, and communication then (i.e. the 1950's) is hardly what it is today in terms of capability and the rapid acquisition of information. If you enjoy games like Company of Heroes but want a more realistic look at warfare of the era, I recommend Theater of War, and even more so, Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy, Fortress Italy, Red Thunder, or Final Blitzkrieg! There are also two modern combat versions; Shock Force and Black Sea. (all of those games can be found on battlefront.com)

looks great, possibly great potential. plays poorly with no instuction. From the start, cannot get vehicles to hook up artillery, manual does not cover this

The Theatre of War games are fundamentally good games that suffer from one MAJOR (possibly even a four star general) problem. Onboard artillery (the stuff you choose when outfitting your army) is COMPLETELY useless because it can only fire if it has line of sight. Doesn't matter what type of arty, mortars, howitzers, et hoc genus omne-if the unit can't see the target it can't fire at it. So why are they even in the game? There is offboard arty and airstrikes, but these must be purchased in blood-literally. You accumulate points by killing the enemy until you have enough to call in whatever offboard arty the game has granted. Oddly the offboard arty has NO problem firing at targets they can't see. Nor does the computer suffer from an inability to lob rounds at your units if they've been detected in any way. Even if they can't be seen currently, the computer will pound their last known location into paste with surprising accuracy, usually killing most or all of the poor bloody infantry who can't dig in or take shelter. Somebody with more programming skills than I needs to create a mod for onboard arty so it can do area fire (there is a button for attack an area, but again, the unit MUST be able to see the area or it will not fire). Until then, buy another game.

Pros: Improved controls regarding the original Theatre of War and units much more responsive to orders.

Cons: There are only a few maps, so you will feel that you are fighting in the same place again and again, making the campaign tedious and repetitive. Additionally It feels poorly optimized.

After the first campaign you will feel too bored to try the other campaign.

This game either works on your computer or it doesn't. I'm pretty sure most negative reviews are because of the latter. If it does, it's great fun, even if I'm personally really bad at attacking without getting blown up first. If it doesn't work, just refund it, but assuming it does, the ui is not great, but I've definitely seen much worse. The sounds and graphics are pretty good(for this type of game at least. Don't expect AAA visuals.) The AI is decent, it has some occaisional hiccups and pathfinding issues, but it's generally alright. The controls are also like the ui, not great, but not what I'd call bad either. The thing I like most probably about this game is the AI though, at least the fact that the air support can choose targets of opportunity and not just kill the same tank with everything even after it's destroyed.

Note: Tutorial is pretty bare bones, although it's worth seeing. The best way to learn the ropes IMO is to just play some battles until you get pretty good.

I wanted to like this game, really. I don't often rate games as bad, and this one isn't really that bad but it leaves alot to be desired.

First of all the Korean War, the Forgotten War; In mainstream culture you see alot of WWII, Vietnam war, and Modern Warfare games and movies. As a fan of the history of war, I was always bothered by the lack of WWI (though we're seeing more) and Korean War games. I was delighted to find a Korean War game on sale and bought it almost instantly, despite the mediocre reviews.

Upon starting it up for the first time, I jumped into the campaign. After about 5 minutes of gameplay, it feels like Men of War: Assault Squad 2 (not sure about the other Men of Wars, i've only played the second). This game is slow. The maps were pretty, and had ample room for combat, but the combat was oh so slow. I wasn't expecting Company of Heroes or anything, but something a little more like Men of War would be exceptable. I enjoy long range combat but I felt it was a little exaggerated. My primary complaint was AI pathfinding. I'd send a squad in one direction, and they'd move straight there. This might be okay in an open field but if there's a mountain in the way, they'd climb up the damn thing until they got stuck.
I also didn't care for the UI at all, I felt it pretty "clunky" for the lack of a better word. When moving units, i'd appreciate it if the formation button didn't reset everytime you select something else. During the campaign (and tutorial) I felt what you were told to do was pretty vague. Now, I've played games with vague instructions but this was pretty bad.

I didn't care for the game. It's not terrible or unplayable, but I think there is alot of room for improvement.
I was pretty bummed out that this as the only Korean War game, but I suppose it's just not as interesting or well known to the masses.

If you were a fan of Men of War or any of the other Theatre of War games, by all means give this a swing (when it's on sale).

5/10

A Tip:
If you like quicker paced combat but still want a Korean War vibe, give Wargame: Red Dragon a spin. Red Dragon isn't actually based during the Korean War but it features the same nations (US, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, China, etc) in a more modern warfare scenario (Modern as in the 80s). There's also a Second Korean War scenario.

A really fun game set during the Korean war of the 1950's. Air support, Mortars, Tanks you name it. Pathfinding can be a little icky but otherwise a great addition to the Theater of War Series. Ive provided some gameplay, don't hesitate to take a peek. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l98d2rVdh4

This game sucks ass. When I first saw it on youtube, I thought I would love this game. After I bought it, I immediately regretted it. This game sucks complete ass. I absolutely hate this game because (1) the control and interface is way too complicated for no reason, (2) controlling your army has never been more irritating, (3) the "campaign" is nothing more than a map of Korea with cards that symbolize your army floating on top of provinces, (4) the units are unresponsive, (5) the multiplayer doesn't even work, (6) it sucks ass, and (7) the units are so standard, they have nothing unique about them. If you are interested in buying this ass game, I'd recommend buying Men of War: Assualt Squad instead. In fact, any game is better than this shit game. I don't understand people can like this game. It has so many bugs and glitches that it ruins the gameplay. DON'T BUY. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME.

I wanted to like this game so much. There are just too many faults with it and after experiencing the game crash for no reason on my 3rd mission in the campaign, I'm definitely sure this game is bad.

For starters lets talk about the actual battle experience. There is nothing more pleasing to me than slugging it out over range with tanks/fixed guns. So satisfying watching the shells streak across the map. What is NOT pleasing is when a tank of mine decides its going to go it alone and run around in circles. That's not cool, I didn't order him to do that...

When I'm trying to get my infantry into a better position and the only formations are either 2 a breast or complete line formation. Really? Infantry can't be moved into more advantageous/different formations? Nevermind the fact that infantry organization is just plain stupid. Selecting a squad is a miserable experience, even getting them to go together is a challenge. If I select a squad to move to an area maybe 3 of them will go and 4 of them will hit the dirt and start crawling. Which brings up another issue. Why can't I tell my infantry to get up, hide, run, crawl, etc. Kind of annoying but not as annoying as formations.

When setting up units before the battle starts its impossible to place them in defending positions correctly. Why can't I position my tank to face a certain direction? Why can't I place infantry on a hilltop inside the deployment zone? They're still in the deployment zone but forget being able to place them anywhere outside the main defensive barriers. Or even splitting them up! I started a defensive match where 3 units were located in one dugout and 4 units of the same infantry squad were in another dugout. I wasn't allowed to take them out of the dugouts without them being the same distance from each other as if they were in the original dugouts. This is hard to explain but it means no matter where I placed that squad the two groups were always at least 50 yards apart.

Then there are issues where the game seems to freeze for at least 3 seconds before humming along perfectly as if nothing happened. I'm not sure what causes the frame rate explosion but it usually only occurs once per match.

This game has the feel of being a 3D Close Combat set in Korea. It feels promising, but it falls severely short of its goal. I'm not sure if the developers are still working on this game, but if they are they really need to take another look at some of the fundamental flaws.

PLEASE FIX THIS GAME! PLEASE I WANT IT TO WORK! There are some satisfying moments but right now this game is trash!

Awful, just awful. It is so poorly designed and executed that it is simply unplayable. I like slow RTS games but this was glacial... It is a really grand disappointment given that it is one of the few games set in during the Korean War where rapid deployment and massive artillery barrages were the norm. I really wish I could get a refund for this terrible game.

Actually i'm sorry to give a negative review to this game. First of all, it's probably the only one set in that specifical conflict (Korean war). Second, the tactical part (the actual game where you move your troops, give them order etc) is in my opinion well made and realistic (and with good graphics). The strategic campaign map is also nice, fast-paced with few things to do to concetrate on combat phase (even if i'd would prefer at least one campaign based on historical battles).
But, on the other side, this game is affected with a lot of structural deficiensis. Tutorial is meaningless, leaving the gamer to understand by himself game mechanics or units command (this would not be a great problem if this wasn't a game focused on micro-management of troops). The game, actually, is just the "dynamc campaign" mode, nothing more, nothing less. But the main problem is the absolutely lack of maps! Five (or six) maps for the entiregame, and i swear it, in a campaign i played there were always the same two maps (airport and village) in rotation for the entire game (hope that this is just bad bad luck). There is apparently no online community so forget about downloading mods or map-packs.
It's a very shame that a possible good game like this is, because it is, is just ruined by poor developers fantasy (or will) and neglet.

I think people really misunderstand this game. It's slow paced ( which I like ) and is very different to other strategy games. To me it feels far more like a realistic battle. Yeah sure it's got bugs and I can understand how someone who loves Starcraft would get easily frustrated with the type of gameplay. Give it a go, it might just become one of your favourite games. BTW, I played before I got it on Steam, I've played many more hours than my account indicates.

I was very skeptical about this game at first, especially when I saw the review and metascore (yikes). It was a game I kept my eye on simply for the fact that it was based in the Korean War, a war that we havn't seen in a game before (but if there is a game that is based in the Korean War that anyone knows of then please, tell me, I would love to get my hands on it). ToW3 has some problems in it, and some things I wish it had, but for the most part, it isn't that bad of a game. First with cons. The UI system is very awkward, and a little confusing at first, and sometimes I dont know if I'm using it correctly or not. The AI pathfinding isnt good. When I tell the AI to move somewhere they will simply go in a strait line toward where I tell them to go, so if I tell the AI to go to a place that is beyond a mountain. They will hoof it up the mountain to the point where they can't walk anymore, literally, they will keep going to the point where they can't go anymore. Although the addition of the Soviets as a what if scenario was good, I wish there was more factions. Specifically the British, South Koreans, and Chinese. Besides that, the game seems to be fine to me. It is a very realistic game, there is no running into a fire fight like in CoH. You need to plan before you attack. I also love the scenarios that you can make with the campaign and mission editor, it adds a lot of replay value to it. I also have to praise the sound and scale of the game, it really is awesome. So lets review:

Pros::
-Pulls away from the usual WW2 and modern day strategy games with a conflict that has never been covered before; The Korean War.
-Very good sound quality, and massive maps.
-High realism that will provide a good challenge.
-Campaign and mission editor which offers a good amount of replayability

Cons:
-Bad AI pathfinding.
-Wierd UI system. (Or I just might be clueless on how to use it)
-Wish for more factions that were involved in the war (British, Chinese, and South Koreans)

ToW3 Korea is a game that pulls away from the WW2 and modern day settings in exchange for something different. It's a fun game for someone who wants good realism, but some bad glitches can push people away from the game.

ToW3 Korea: 8/10

This message on 1C forum describes the game as it is ...

A splendid idea gone down the toilet:

The strategic system in Tow 3 Korea boils down to choose where to attack. I've played 10 turns out of 30 (it seems) and fought over 20 battles, but never could I decide to order more troop, new material o reinforcemente. You have to stuck with what you're given in the beginning, three corps, each one with vehicles and reserves fixed. Even the additional support is kind of a joke: you can choose two (fighter, artillery, mortars or bombers), but the support appear late in the battle whene you are already winning and don't need them (because you need winning point to order support). Cm'on! Artillery and bombers are used prior to the battle, non in the end.

For the rest Tow 3 Korea is identical to Kursk or Africa, same goods, same bads: same stupid behavior of tanks and infantry, same overpowered anti-tank guns (able to destroy a tank with a single shot, as soon as it appears in the line of sight miles away, and even able to hit a single prone soldier a mile away just in the middle of his eyes). The only difference is in the maps and sometimes you play on the same map even when you change province (did they have shortage of designers?) But overall, if you like the Tow series (which, more ore less I do, believe me) is not bad.

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Probably ragequitting this game again. In the battle I have fought for hours and chased down every enemy alive but triggers failed to end the scenario. Several CTD's

If you are looking for a challenging and realistic strategy game then I recommend TOW 3: Korea. If however your more into simplistic and fast paced RTS then this may not be the game for you.

What the developers aimed to bring to the public is a well made realistic strategy game which is able to reflect warfare in the mid 20th century. This game enables players to not only fight in a battlefield conflict but also micromanage your army layout as you lead either american or north korean forces to victory!

Pros - this game is highly realistic in terms of challenges faced by an army involved in conflict along the Korean peninsula. This game is not a game where you can charge your platoon of men towards entrenched enemy forces, they will be cut down. this is not a game where you can send one tank without support into an enemy line and expect it to survive. this game is realistically brutal and that is how the developers wanted the game to turn out. this is not a game where you can rush the enemy lines without careful planning and preparation where you consider which units have the High ground, which units are able to see enemy positions, wether your units will be vulnerable to mortar or arty fire. so ignore any negative reviews that are shorter than 5 sentences.

Graphics- for a game which came out in 2011 the Graphics are fine, they are not top of the line but who cares?

Cons - Micromanagement and understanding what each action does can be complex and you may not realize your making a mistake when you perform an action. the UI seems to lack an ability to explain what buttons do what and I recommend the player have a few practice games to fully understand what actions are available before they take part in the Campaigns.


When I mention micromanagement I really do mean micromanagement. during the campaign you can choose how you upgrade each units experience and even choose which units receives medals. before each conflict you can personalize your armies from a much larger pool of available forces.

the micromanagement itself isnt the con, rather the large learning curve a player is thrown into. (its a challenge at first but once you understand what your doing its worth it)

Another Con that I have found is the Victory conditions of a battle

For some conflicts all that is needed is that you place troops in the target town without any nearby enemy units and the battle will just end. To me I feel like that this is a drawback to the gameplay feel of the game. even if half the enemy forces are still present and in fighting condition but else where on the map the battle will just end.

To me if the developers had included the feature that these forces who potentially were cut off from their reinforces either surrender or attempt to fight their way out. rather then the assumed "they just retreated and regrouped with the main battle force who then left the region"

If you are serious about a realistic strategy game then this is it, I am yet to play multiplayer. but from what i can understand form playing against the AI it would only be short from epic.


So for my recommendation. if you are a FPS player and only dabble in RTS games then you are probably better off with much simpler and faster paced games like Company of Heroes. However if your seriously into strategy games and wish to challenge yourself or your familiar with games such as Hearts of Iron, Wargame, men of war and you have enjoyed them then i seriously recommend you at least consider looking into purchasing Theatre of War 3: Korea

This game would be better if there were no artillery. The ai uses artillery unfairly as it is able to attack my units even when they are in my spawn and in cover while I can not. My troops get slaughtered so quickly that by the time I reach them im at 1/2 strength. If I could choose what was sent to battle then I would definatly play this more often. Another issue is the battles themselfs, the battle is extremly simple and extremly quick. The battles are a matter of (move here or hold here to win) there is a lack of stratagy and the game should have at least added capture points to add a bit of stratagy. Also once that simple (move here) is accomplished the battle just ends and there are still considerable forces still deployed. There are a few good aspects to the game. The games strong point is that infantry and armor fight realistically and have great models. The textures look great too. I also appreciate that this is the first game I have heard of to take place during the Korean War and we should see more games take place during this conflict.