Game Labs’ Best Games: Strategy, History, and the Art of War
Recently, we had a sudden urge to dive a bit in history and go through some strategy games, so we went to Steam and started seeking for an above-average series of Historical games to explore. Then on our short stroll through the platform, it happened, we rediscovered the Ultimate General games by Game-Labs. Perhaps, you would like to join us on this adventure as we review the war games the studio developed? If so, grab your copy of the Art of War by Sun Tzu and march in the past for this one with us.
The History of Game-Labs so Far?
Game-Labs is a Ukrainian video game company recognized for its simulation and strategy games, and most notably with the Ultimate General series. In January 2013 was the establishment of the company by Maxim Zasov, who also took over as the CEO. To make games for the company, he hired well-known Total War community modder Nick Thomadis, which resulted in the creation of some of the most interesting war games out there.
More recently, the Swedish business Stillfront Group paid $32.5 million in May 2021 to buy Game-Labs. At that time, the company had about 30 employees spread across a number of different nations including; Greece, Dubai, Italy, Estonia, Ukraine, Russia and Italy. On February 24th 2022, Game-Labs announced it would stop all current game updates in order to prioritize the safety of its staff members and their families due to the real-life conflict taking place in that part of the world.
Ultimate General: Gettysburg - the First Title that Started it All
Play as either a Union or Confederate General in Ultimate General: Gettysburg, which is the first Tactical Battle Simulator by Game-Labs, where players are able to control thousands of troops in a virtual representation of the famous Battle of Gettysburg. Released all the way back on October 16th in 2014, the game still offers a very realistic battlefield map, a non-linear campaign, thorough morale systems, new and simplified control schemes as well as sophisticated AI behavior. Use different tactics to impact the outcomes of fights and keep in mind that your choices greatly determine the strength of the forces.
PCGamesN named the game Best Strategy Game of 2014, so there should definitely be a reason for that award – since the game manages to recreate a multi-day fight that starts on July 1st 1863. The game's intelligent AI commanders really stand out, unlike in other games of the genre that utilize less advanced AI, this one features 9 distinct AI personas. Each one of them has its own particular abilities and strategies that change in real time according to the ongoing conditions of the battleground. These AI leaders may decide to attack or defend and can use strategies such as flanking or seizing key areas.
Though, random occurrences and player decisions may influence the result, reinforcements come depending on past actions during the strategy games. Players could either follow historical events or design a variety of paths for different game experiences. Controls are designed for simplicity and allow players to control sizable forces with less direct supervision. Troops can move, change targets and withdraw without the constant need of orders, therefore greatly simplifying the gameplay.
Based on authentic historical information and satellite pictures, the thorough map of Gettysburg shows important landmarks and realistic topography. Its historical correctness definitely helps to make the tactical gameplay in a very much valued experience. The game also has an advanced line of sight system, where obstructions and height affect visibility.
With troop numbers mirroring actual history stats and senior commanders giving important battle briefings, the game portrays events and leaders in a superb manner. Morale and stamina affect units in the game, influencing their effectiveness based on factors including tiredness and casualties. Strategic placement on the field is important as terrain influences strength and morale for players. Furthermore, another important detail towards weakening foes and maintaining proper troop alignment is artillery employment.
Ultimate General: Gettysburg certainly provides a distinctive and engaging experience for strategy gamers and history fans alike by combining accuracy, outstanding artificial intelligence and dynamic gameplay.
Ultimate General: Civil War - a Worthy Continuation of the Series
We move to Ultimate General: Civil War, which is the next tactical real-time strategy war game that Game-Labs delivered and it immerses players in the American Civil War, which took place from 1861 to 1865. It got released on Steam a couple of years later on July 14th 2017.
This entry in the series features a full campaign where players engage in more than 50 battles that range from small skirmishes to large-scale conflicts that extend for several days across hundreds of miles. The outcome of the campaign is again heavily influenced by player actions, but battles could also be played separately. Some events included in the campaign are the Battle of Aquia Creek, Battle of Philippi, 1st and 2nd Battles of Bull Run, Battle of Shiloh, Battle of Antietam, among the many other available ones.
Players assume the role of a general and exercise complete control over their army's composition. Success in battles unlocks access to more corps, divisions and brigades. Keeping your soldiers’ alive leads to their improvement from inexperienced rookies to much more skilled veterans. Bear in mind that heavy losses would result in a lack of reinforcements, diminished reputation, lowered army morale and even your potential resignation from the position.
The game also features an innovative command system allowing players to decide how to better manage all of their troops. You may decide to control individual units or establish main goals and objectives with a single button. The commanders of army divisions are able to make independent decisions and players have the ability to draw defensive lines or plan flanking maneuvers by simply drawing arrows on the map. While generals will try to do their best and follow these given orders, plans may suddenly change midway when facing the enemy.
Officer progression is another key aspect of the game, since historical commanders improve as the player progresses through the battles, reaching new ranks based on performance, would increase the general's skills, such as reconnaissance and political influence. Officers can also be wounded or killed, but rank promotions unlock new opportunities to lead larger units.
Players will also use a variety of historically-accurate weapons from the Civil War period, including common Enfield rifles and rare Whitworths, but keep in mind that some weapons can only be acquired through raids or from defeated enemies on the battlefield.
Ultimate General: Civil War offers enhanced unit control, allowing players to detach skirmishers for scouting, merge brigades into larger divisions and manage cavalry for various tactical advantages. Supplies are crucial, and players must protect their provisions to avoid early defeat in battles, because the advanced AI is once again back and it is an even more challenging enemy that would try to exploit your weaknesses, flank forces, cut off supply routes and target undefended positions.
Since terrain again plays an important role in the gameplay, with various features like trenches, fences and hills affecting strategy, the AI knows how to utilize it effectively and may even retreat when outmatched on the beautiful hand-drawn maps. This entry in the series is deeply based on historical data and reports, this time you get an enhanced version of the visual experience that the battles previously did not allow for, in order to better understand the significance of various landscapes in these historical conflicts.
Ultimate Admiral: Dreadnoughts – The Last Title in the Collection
Lastly, Ultimate Admiral: Dreadnoughts is a naval warfare game developed and published by Game-Labs, it was released rather recently on January 25, 2023. The title allows players to design and build various types of warships, from small torpedo boats to the largest of battleships, featuring a detailed combat model to use. Players are able to create their own unique ship designs by adjusting turret placements, armor schemes and other various features that affect the performance of each ship in battle.
Once again, the game features the strong AI that intelligently reacts to player actions, making naval combat feel more realistic than ever. The AI uses strategies like adjusting engagement distances and managing ammunition more wisely. It also avoids performing reckless actions, seeking to withdraw if it is heavily damaged, especially compared to the player's own fleet.
Ultimate Admiral: Dreadnoughts includes a Custom Battle system that lets players experiment with different ship designs and battle scenarios across ten nations between the years 1890-1950. The Naval Academy offers 63 scenarios where players must design the right ships or squadrons to achieve specific tactical tasks. These missions help players practice and thoroughly enjoy the game’s design and combat mechanics.
In the campaign mode, the objective is to defeat opponents by destroying their fleets and crippling their economies as quickly as possible. The campaign map properly reflects historical and strategic details, including the regions and various colonies. Players have the option to refit older warships with new technologies or move them between ports throughout the sea.
Even though there are limited diplomacy options, players still command the navy and are able to influence government actions. The gameplay is enriched by multiple political and economic events, such as oil resource discoveries and land offensives, supported by naval forces.
The game offers over 500+ hull variants made up of more than 2,100 different ship parts and thousands of weapons at various sizes and technology levels. It also has 43 detailed models that closely recreate historical ships such as the USS Monitor, the CSS Virginia, USS Texas, HMS Dreadnought, the Bismarck-class battleship and many others spanning from the late 19th century to World War II.
With these historical games, players can enjoy a wide selection of battle scenarios and learn the art of war through a deep exploration of history, directly in the gameplay. Strive for victory through your choices and strategic planning and get to engage in a comprehensive combat experience within the historical context of the respective era you are playing in.