Cossacks: Back to War

GSC Game World

Rank: #4 / 12
Released: 2010
Studio: GSC Game World
Genre: real-time strategy

At a glance

Cossacks: Back to War is a real-time strategy game from GSC Game World set in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It brings together the gameplay features of Cossacks: European Wars and Cossacks: The Art of War, and is a stand-alone release that does not require either game. Players can command 20 European nations, including the newly added Switzerland and Hungary, which bring eight units. The game includes 100 single-player missions, four difficulty levels, and skirmishes against AI on randomly generated maps. Battles can involve up to 8,000 units, and an additional Bedouin unit is available for Algeria and Turkey. Play options include single-player, multiplayer, and offline Ad-Hoc multiplayer. The game is listed for Windows and includes Family Sharing. Its historical setting and large-scale battles center the experience on commanding armies rather than individual characters.

Who it is for

It suits players looking for historical real-time strategy with a broad choice of nations and mission-based play. The stand-alone format also suits players who do not own the earlier Cossacks games.

What is good

Stand-alone release; earlier Cossacks games are not required.
Commands 20 European nations.
Includes 100 single-player missions.
Battles can include up to 8,000 units.
AI skirmishes use randomly generated maps.

What to know first

Listed platform is Windows.
Multiplayer options include offline Ad-Hoc play.

Verdict

Cossacks: Back to War combines a historical setting with large battles, campaign missions, and AI skirmishes. Its stand-alone format and range of nations make it a self-contained option for strategy players.