Wars of Succession

Buggy and AI cheats. Had enough after a major army under a good leader refused to move for six moves in a row. Map is hard to read once counters get crowded, especially around the Netherlands. Interesting subject and not a bad concept but just infuriatingly buggy and cheaty.

1 Le jeu est stable, 2 il est le seul quasiment qui traite de cette période historique riche et méconnue, 3 Les forces sont équilibrées, la stratégie (et un peu de chance) sont donc nécessaires pour l'emporter.

"...We thought we successfully encircled Eugene of Savoy. Locked in Parma, surrounded by our juggernaut of the army, it was to be his end. But we underestimated the will and the training of his men. Our 70-thousand strong force charged his meek army of 21k once, we charged the second time - and we lost 15 thousand men against his six. Then he countercharged and broke through our lines, and walked free, undefeated, again. I wish though the strategic AI wasn't so stupid." Luis de Nofun, letters, 1753

Excellent game. Best on this period of history...

Probablement un des jeux de stratégie les plus réalistes qui soient. Fatigue, météo, moral, approvisionnement... Tout y est pour rendre la gestion des troupes plus ardue et réfléchie. La tactique n'est pas oubliée avec des choix multiples à user en fonction de facteurs tels que le terrain ou encore les habiletés et défauts de son adversaire. Le réalisme est encore renforcé par des figures militaires comme le prince Eugène, Marlborough, Charles XII ou le Maréchal de Villars, toutes avec leurs propres compétences. La bande son fait quant à elle la part belle à Lully, Bach et Corelli notamment. Pas vraiment de défaut à relever. Il faut bien prendre le temps d'appréhender le jeu car il reste complexe si on ne le maîtrise pas bien et skipper les conseils ou tutos amènera à se faire laminer sans trop comprendre pourquoi. Le reste n'est que pratique assidue.

the engine is old and learning the game is dense. Luckily, I have notebook LM to upload the manual, which has helped tremendously in learning what is not tutorialized or tooltipped. But I'm having fun now that I know how to play. It is challenging, and the simulatenously resolution of movements and fog of war gives a good sense of the confusion of combat in this time period. plus I'm learning geography and history of a region and time I knew very little about. only recommend for hardcore wargamers who want to devote the time to this setting.

Wars of Succession is a demanding and meticulously detailed grand strategy wargame that exemplifies Ageod’s long-standing dedication to historical authenticity and operational realism. Developed by Ageod and published by Slitherine Ltd., the game transports players into the turbulent early 18th century, a period defined by dynastic crises, shifting alliances, and continent-spanning conflicts. Rather than offering a simplified or cinematic portrayal of warfare, it presents a sober, systems-heavy simulation where planning, logistics, and patience matter as much as battlefield victories. The game centers on two monumental conflicts that reshaped Europe: the War of the Spanish Succession and the Great Northern War. These are not treated as mere backdrops, but as fully realized strategic frameworks with historically accurate factions, leaders, and geopolitical constraints. Players can choose from a range of scenarios, from more focused regional campaigns to massive grand campaigns that span decades and cover nearly the entirety of Europe. This flexibility allows both newcomers and veterans to engage with the game at a scale they are comfortable with, though even the smaller scenarios demand careful thought and attention to detail. At the core of Wars of Succession is its operational-level gameplay, which emphasizes movement, supply, and command rather than micromanaged tactics. Armies are not simply pushed across the map; they must be fed, rested, and led by capable commanders, all while accounting for terrain, weather, and seasonal changes. Poorly supplied forces will suffer attrition long before they ever meet the enemy, and reckless advances can quickly turn into disasters. This focus on logistics makes every campaign feel grounded and forces players to think like real early-modern generals rather than omniscient commanders. The game’s WEGO turn system reinforces this philosophy. Orders are issued for an entire month, after which both sides’ plans are executed simultaneously. This structure rewards foresight and prediction rather than reaction, as you must anticipate enemy movements and plan contingencies in advance. Battles are resolved based on a complex interaction of unit quality, leadership, cohesion, terrain, and morale, meaning outcomes are rarely decided by sheer numbers alone. Historical leaders, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, play a significant role, making command assignments a crucial strategic decision. Beyond military maneuvering, Wars of Succession also integrates political and economic considerations. Production, recruitment, regional loyalty, and event-driven decisions all shape the strategic landscape. Historical events and decision cards introduce uncertainty and narrative flavor, reflecting diplomatic shifts, internal unrest, and external pressures that can disrupt even the most carefully laid plans. These systems ensure that the game is not just about winning battles, but about sustaining a war effort over many years in a fragile and contested Europe. Visually and technically, the game clearly reflects its roots in Ageod’s long-used engine. Graphics are functional rather than flashy, prioritizing information density over spectacle. The interface presents a vast amount of data, which can be overwhelming at first, and turn processing times can be lengthy in larger scenarios. However, for players accustomed to serious wargames, these traits are part of the genre’s DNA rather than flaws. The depth of information available allows for nuanced decision-making, provided the player is willing to invest the time to learn the systems. The learning curve is undeniably steep. Wars of Succession expects players to engage with manuals, tooltips, and community resources to fully grasp its mechanics. It does little to ease newcomers into its complexity, and those seeking immediate gratification or streamlined gameplay may find it intimidating. Yet for dedicated strategy enthusiasts, this complexity is precisely the appeal. Mastery comes slowly, through experimentation, failure, and gradual understanding of how the many interconnected systems influence one another. Overall, Wars of Succession is a richly layered and intellectually demanding strategy game that rewards commitment and historical curiosity. It does not attempt to modernize or simplify its design to appeal to a broad audience, instead remaining faithful to Ageod’s vision of deep, historically grounded warfare. For players who value realism, long-term planning, and the challenge of commanding armies within strict logistical and political constraints, it offers a compelling and deeply rewarding portrayal of early 18th-century conflict that few other games even attempt to match. Rating: 7/10

Мне нравятся такого рода игры- без эльфов и пр. Чистая история. Но играть можно продолжить и после завершения сценария. По играм такого типа есть форум агеод. Много недочетов в игре,который следовало бы пропатчить. Теоретически можно составить письмо разработчикам. Но я привык к системе данной и нормально играю. Игра выводит ошибку, и вылетает каждые ходов 10-12,но это особо не мешает мне. В игре вообще открыта вся карта Европы и есть возможности моделировать как то, открывая для игры другие страны.

Un excellent jeux a jouer avec un ami et avec tout les règles de facilitation désactivé pour bien vivre l'histoire et avoir autant de mal avec la guerre, qu'avec le ravitaillement

It is a good, historic strategy game. There are two wars going on at the same time. I enjoy playing both.