War Mongrels | PS4 Review

Developer Destructive Creations', through their game "War Mongrels", takes the gamer on a gritty and heart wrenching portrayal of fictional characters and events centered around and inspired by the very real World War II. Through the recorded account of Manfred, and a collective of joining rebels light is shed on several different Eastern Front scenarios. From a living penal colony escape to the rescuing of Jews on their way to extermination, and even a joint jail encounter the developer sets the key characters, their predicament, and their control commands up for stealth tactical navigation within the various locales. Forcing the gamer to mind things like line enemy of sight, and destructive environmental set pieces. Using mostly stealth application to go about undermining the enemy. 

Through single player campaign or multiplayer co-op with chat options 'War Mongrels' opens up epically with cartoon-like cinematics, a voiced narration, and character specific voice overs including that of a certain Witcher voice actor. Heightened by realism in the form of war time goings on, brilliantly applied graphic design, and a war-like soundtrack the gameplay comes to life, dynamically. Allowing the gamer to relive the events of Manfred, and company's recollections as you go about fulfilling what is being told through them. 

This heavy handed undertaking is done mainly through tedious menu based commands applied and assigned to individual characters that, in turn, perform the commanded actions. Something that adds to the tactical intentions of the developer while forcing the hand of the gamer to carefully consider their next move. Also taking in account, in that careful approach, threats as well as available skills. Each character, whether in a duo or solo, must be directed to act, move, and use their skills in order to complete scenarios. Sometimes utilizing distractions, and environmental set pieces as a means to an end. Avoiding at all cost enemy soldiers with a cone of detection that will alert them to your presence when crossed. 

While there are elements of combat with weapons accounted for most missions will have you taking a more indirect approach, and stealthily so. Avoiding detection, and setting out to complete objectives. Whether it be escaping, coordinating a plan, killing targets, or rescuing victims. Each task falling in line with things that kind of took place within the real WWII while incorporating locations true to that conflict. Unlike most WWII games though the characters involved in 'War Mongrels' aren't your typical American hero, and paint a unique perspective of their point of view from the enemy side. Manfred and his escapee partner being one of those turncoats who saw wartime atrocity for what it is. 

It is this angle of storytelling that blends intricately woven isometric gameplay perspectives, cinematic cartoon sequences, excellent voice acting, and hands-on scenarios to perfection. Fully fleshing out what you have become a part of in witnessing these character driven accounts. An experience that comes together earnestly in an attempt to earn it's $40 asking price. That is if you don't mind the steep learning curve.

Movement in 'War Mongrels' is far from being an ARPG, and could very well turn away players expecting it to be. In fact it's so command dependent that the shoulder buttons, and face buttons used to issue commands overlap in a truly complicated fashion. Sometimes even bordering on confusing. You'll be highlighting individual characters to be able to get them to move, use a skill, or interact with set pieces. Skills themselves are character specific making the selection of character and their directed actions much more crucial. The stealth approach, in a sense, is amplified because characters aren't controlled by a simple directional input, or their skills a simple face button pressing. While this might put some players off there's a rich game underneath that steep learning curve, and one I'd dare say warrants the asking price.

Extras ...

There are extras in this game, and they include everything from collectible items, to memoirs, and even cutscenes. This gives the gamer something to work towards in perfecting a playthrough. That along with the co-op option adds replay value. Allowing players to take control of separate characters within the same scenario. An honestly easier approach than going solo. 

The Verdict ...

War Mongrels is beautifully serious take on fictional, but believable WWII events. A presentation that is stitched together nicely through excellent voice acting, cartoonish cinematic sequences, and rewarding gameplay that is there for the most committed. Mind you it all comes at a near 'Triple A' cost, and with a steep learning curve to boot. This game is no walk in the park, and learning the commands is going to take some getting used to for most gamers. Personally I'd have preferred a more direct action approach, but I understand what the developer was going for. It's kind of like a Sudden Strike, or Commandos inspired gaming experience. If you're tough enough to handle it then it's definitely worth looking into. I think it's very impressive on the PS5.