Matrix Games

Gary Grigsby’s World At War: A World Divided™ brings you to back to the dawn of the greatest and most terrible war the world has ever seen. The forces of the Axis, including Germany, Japan and Italy, face the might of France, Great Britain, the United States, China and the Soviet Union in the epic struggle of World War II. Starting with the blitzkrieg attack on Poland, the course of the war is determined by your actions as the leader of one or more major factions, opposed by human or computer players. A World Divided takes this conflict one step further, with a future what-if scenario that occurs right at the end of the war. Allowing players to go continuously from the end of their game into this new scenario, Russia’s land army powerhouse and consolidated position squares off against the Western Allies naval and air superiority, and who’s territory is massive, yet less easily defended.

As you play Gary Grigsby’s World At War: A World Divided™, the events of the war unfold around you through news reel reports covering both historical and hypothetical events, World at War features a variable set of historic events that will be unveiled dependant on how the war is going. As the United States, do you focus on Europe first or send more reinforcements to the Pacific, seeking an early defeat for Japan? As Germany, do you invade the Soviet Union in 1941 or prepare your forces to march into London? In Gary Grigsby’s World At War: A World Divided™, you have complete control over the production, research and military strategy for your side.

At your disposal are the full air, land and sea forces of each power, A World Divided now features spies and signals intelligence as well, capable of stealing technology and other information on the enemy, and providing an upper hand in combat situations. Each unit can be upgraded in a variety of researchable areas. Build more tank divisions, improve your fighter planes or focus on strategic bombardment – the choice is yours. More expensive units take longer to build and shortages in industry, resources or manpower can play havoc with your plans. Take command in this dynamic, turn-based strategy game of World War II that puts you in the role of some of the most legendary leaders of history. Four tutorials, three campaigns and five scenarios let you learn the system quickly and start fighting the whole war and beyond. Make it happen in Gary Grigsby’s World at War: A World Divided™!

• Three full-length campaign games (Total War, Axis Blitz, and Arsenal of Democracy), all starting in 1939 and lasting to the end of the war. Five shorter scenarios (Spring40, Summer41, Spring42, Summer43 and East Vs West 1946). Five playable forces (Germany, Japan, the Soviet Union, the Western Allies, and China) and 40 different countries Over 370 areas on a sprawling world map Command fifteen different combat units in the air, on the land, and at sea, as well as infrastructure and supply units Each unit has up to 14 attributes, most of which can be improved through research and development Rules that cover strategic movement, forts, cold weather zones, airborne attack, amphibious invasions, partisans, militia, and many other features Fog of War rules that hide enemy units and production Supply rules that can be set to provide a common pool for all units to draw from, or the creation of field units that must accompany the armies PBEM playability for two to five players TCP/IP/LAN playability for 2 to five players Challenging AI that offers a unique gaming experience Ability to automate either or both the Production and Research functions Four in-depth tutorials that smoothly integrates the player with the game Soviet and American War Readiness levels that dictate their production levels and entry into the war Detailed political rules for neutral countries including trade agreements and random political events. Allows countries to support a world power with resources and production, or even enter the war on the side of one of the major powers. Added realism in combat with rules for bombardment combat and suppression, combined arms attacks, Japanese Kamikaze units and much more. Strategic bombing targeting capability allows players to separately target factories, resources or railroads. Different air units have modified attack ratings versus different target types. Random technology breakthroughs add to replayability while also increasing realism with items such as German Jet Engines and Panzerfausts and Allied Proximity Fuse shells and Air launched ASW torpedoes. Player purchased spies, signals intelligence and security forces allow players a way to see through the fog of war, steal technology from other players, and improve their combat capabilities. Unit advancement to Veteran and Elite unit status. Additional unit art includes Me-262 jet fighters and B-29 bombers that visually show improvement in unit attributes. Optional NATO symbols unit set for ground units. Victory conditions that include strategic victory points for key territories. Axis high-water mark impacts victory levels even in games in which the Axis countries ultimately surrender.

Review at The Wargamer
Gary Grigsby's World at War: A World Divided is an excellent game that provides a realistic simulation of World War II at the strategic and operational level. I would recommend this game to anyone interested in World War II at the strategic or operational level. Even RTS gamers looking to rest their twitch fingers may find enjoyment in this turn-based cousin.

Review at Net Wargaming Italia
Translated Abstract: "An intuitive and amusing 'easy to play' game. I strongly suggest it to who approach strategic games for the first time"