Aces & Armour: A Promising WWII Combat Simulator

 

Could this be the WWII sim we’ve been waiting for? 

With every update, Aces & Armour is shaping up to deliver a rich and immersive experience grounded in realism and historical authenticity. But the developers are careful to balance ambition with practicality, focusing on delivering a thoughtful and polished game. Here’s what we know so far.

Aiming for Realism

At its heart, Aces & Armour is aiming to create a detailed and authentic WWII experience. Set across various theatres of the war, including the Eastern Front (1942), North Africa, and the Pacific, players will only be able to use vehicles and equipment that were historically present in each region.

The focus is on real vehicles that saw significant action. While occasional prototypes or paper vehicles might make limited appearances, 95% of battles will feature iconic tanks like the Panzer IV, Sherman, and T-34—not the experimental or fantastical.

Key Features

Here’s what stands out about Aces & Armour:

  1. Gameplay Modes

    • Arcade Mode: Fast-paced, third-person tank battles lasting 15–25 minutes, focusing on straightforward objectives like capture points or team deathmatch.

    • Realistic Mode: Immersive, first-person battles with longer matches (2–3 hours) featuring infantry, tanks, and aircraft working together. This mode emphasizes teamwork, with roles requiring coordination and AI filling in gaps for solo players.

  2. Unlockables and Progression
    Rather than grind for vehicles, players will work towards:

    • Cosmetics: Customize your personal character’s clothing and equipment.

    • Vehicle Skins/Decals: Unlock skins and decorative elements for vehicles.

    • Modifications: Progress through historical field and factory modification trees.

    • Levels and Titles: Gain XP to earn historical ranks and titles within your chosen nation.

  3. Captured Vehicles
    While captured vehicles won’t be a spawnable option (except for nations like Finland), they can be captured mid-battle. Tow one back to a supply depot, repaint it, and press it into service—or scrap it for money to support your team’s economy.

  4. Dynamic Theatres of War
    Each theatre will bring unique challenges and environments. The initial release focuses on the USSR vs. Germany on the Eastern Front in 1942, with additional theatres planned, such as:

    • Greece/Britain vs. Germany/Italy in 1941

    • Western Front in late 1944

    • Pacific Theatre in late 1944

    • North Africa against Axis forces

  5. Economy-Based Gameplay
    Vehicles cost in-game currency to deploy, and capturing objectives provides a trickle of income for your team. This system ensures strategic play and discourages griefing, with anti-abuse measures in place.

  6. VR Support and Platforms
    The game will launch on PC/Steam, with potential for console releases later. VR support is planned but will be limited to headsets without full motion controller integration.

  7. Gore and Injuries
    Injuries will be present but toned down—think along the lines of Arma 3. Some level of realism will be reflected, such as amputations, but gore isn’t a primary focus.

Pricing and Release

The game is planned to retail for $15 USD, offering incredible value for what’s shaping up to be an in-depth WWII simulation. However, the timeline for release depends on funding milestones, and the developers haven’t committed to a firm release date yet.

Why This Game Excites Me

For years, I’ve wanted a WWII game that nails both depth and immersion while staying grounded in historical authenticity. Aces & Armour could possibly be that game.

While I’ve been burned by lofty promises before (SC), this project stands out because of its transparency and focus on getting the basics right—real vehicles, dynamic battles, and player-driven progression. If they can pull it off, this could set a new benchmark for WWII combat simulators.

How to Get Involved

If this sounds like your kind of game, you can support its development on Patreon or join the conversation on Discord. As a supporter, you’ll get behind-the-scenes updates and the chance to provide feedback directly to the team.

Final Thoughts

Could this be the next great WWII sim? It’s too early to say for sure, but the potential is there. I’ll be keeping a close eye on its development and sharing updates along the way.

What about you? Are you cautiously optimistic like I am, or waiting to see more? Let me know your thoughts!

Popular posts from this blog

Steel Fury: Kharkov 1942 - A 2023 Gaming Review

Image
If you're wondering whether Steel Fury: Kharkov 1942 still holds up in 2023, the answer is a resounding yes. This World War II tank simulation game continues to deliver.  The vanilla game is set with the historical backdrop of the Soviet attempt to reclaim Kharkov in 1942, Steel Fury offers three campaigns, each with its unique challenges. You can choose to roll with a T-34, take the Matilda out for a spin, or engage in battles with Panzer IVs. Gameplay is where Steel Fury excels. The missions are intense, and they recreate the chaos of historical tank battles. Whether you're pushing through enemy lines, countering attacks, or making split-second decisions in the heat of battle, the game keeps you on your toes. It strikes a fine balance between simulation and action, making it accessible to a broad range of gamers. The standout feature of Steel Fury is its realism. Tanks in the game are portrayed as they were in real life—bulky and vulnerable. A single well-placed shot can put ...
Read more

Panzer Elite: The Enduring Legacy of a Classic Tank Simulator

Image
Screenshot from Panzer Elite, a classic tank simulation game. If you had told me in 1998 that I'd still be playing Panzer Elite in 2024, I might have looked at you like you'd grown a second head. Yet here I am, deeply entrenched in the captivating world of one of the most enduring tank simulators ever created. What makes this game from the last millennium still worth my time? Let me take you through the myriad reasons that keep me coming back to Panzer Elite, year after year. A Historical Journey Like No Other Panzer Elite offers a unique experience that few other tank sims can match: you start your career as a tanker at the dawn of World War II and carry it through to the bitter end. This long-term progression is not just a series of missions; it's a journey through history. Watching your crew evolve, your tanks upgrade, and the war unfold in a historically accurate manner provides an immersive experience that modern games often fail to replicate. Panther created updated b...
Read more

A Reflection on ZeeWolf's Mod and Its Future

Image
I've been contemplating a matter close to my heart as an enthusiast of T34 vs Tiger, and I wish to share these thoughts with you all, seeking your insights and guidance. As many of you know, ZeeWolf's mod, a creation that can only be described as his magnum opus, stands as a testament to his skill, passion, and dedication to T34 vs Tiger. This piece of work has significantly enriched the T34 vs Tiger gaming experience, yet, it currently remains accessible to only a very few of us. ZeeWolf, unfortunately, has not been active or seen in any tank sim community for the past four years. His absence raises a poignant question about the future of his exceptional work. It's a creation too remarkable from a single developer to reside unnoticed on a handful of our hard drives. The idea that it could be shared and appreciated by anyone with a love or interest in T34 vs Tiger is one I find compelling. However, I'm torn by the ethical considerations of releasing ZeeWo...
Read more