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Gary Grigsby's War in the West
Developer 2by3 Games
Gary Grigsby's War in the East: The German-Soviet War 1941-1945 is a 2010 computer wargame developed by 2 by 3 Games and published by Matrix Games. It simulates the German–Soviet War of World War II. Two sequels were released: Gary Grigsby's War in the West in 2014 and Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2 in 2021. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
126 reactions from 2 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky) · newest Oct 1, 2026 · last updated Oct 8, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
85
LovedLoved
105 positive · 19 negative
95% range 77–90%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 105 | 19 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
2 newer reactions are still waiting for a label.
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
153 of 180 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What people are saying
Summary pending — the reactions are listed below.
Reactions
60 of 126 · most liked firstThe one turn-based game to rule them all Setting This game let's you take command of the combine air and land powers of the western allies or/and the axis powers in the western European theater of operations from the invasion of Sicily in 1943 to the summer of 1945. This game is turn-based and each turn represents a week in the historical timeline. You will constantly face the same historical dilemmas as the commanders of the time, both on a tactical and a strategic level. As the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →After about 300 hours and many great plans blown to bits, I can safely say this is the most fun I've had getting my butt kicked. This game is the poster child for strategic wargaming. Deep, unforgiving and rewarding.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I have been playing this game for about 2 years (from MATRIX). It is the most detailed WW2 game I have ever played, each tank, gun, pilot, airplane, etc are in dividually taken into consideration in an extremely detailed way. In spite of this complexity, the game is very fun and you can play it without a full understanding of everything. It is really a masterpiece.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is one of the most complex and detailed war-games you will ever play. You can play through World War Two's Western Front from 1943-1945. The map stretches from Scotland to North Africa. This is my first review however, and I will try to outline the Pros and Cons in an easy to read manner. Pros: - The game allows for a great strategic air war to be planned and executed, similar to what happened in real life. It has every historical squadron in their historical planes (It also has…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of the best wargames there is on the market. Super detail, super difficult, very long turns: Campaign is so long, u will probably never finish it, but nevertheless its always interesting to start from start and try out new strategies and approaches. If you are a hardcore wargamer - this is your pick, this is a must, this is a master you were always looking for. The only downside is that is very expensive, sales are rare, but it's worth the wait or every cent if you will decide to buy it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A masterpiece by wargames God Gary Grigsby! The best strategic/operational wargame for weastern front! Regimental/divisional scale, scale to single pilot for air war, everything for years 1943-1945 in a human time scale (weekly, so 108 turns for full campaign), with a fully realitic game system in spite of long weekly turn. (I played it for minimum 200 hours before steam release) PS if you don't know what I mean speaking about "wargames": this is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wargaming War in…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →After finishing the game I must change my review to thumbs down, unfortunately. There is so much to like here, and this could have easily been my favorite Grisgby game with great replayability, but the flaws are such head shakers that it's got to be a thumbs down. The game completely dropped the ball when it comes to reasonable combat results. Look, by summer of 1944 there was absolutely no axis naval transport outside of the Baltic. None in the north Atlantic, none in the Med. So a German…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →War in the West provides the most complete portrayal of the Western Front during WWII of any game on the market. If you're not prepared to devote hundreds of hours delving into its intricacies then look for another game. The air war is a complete game on its own. You can play it with large amounts of AI assistance and automation and just devote yourself to types of missions and targets. You can also go into much greater detail such as where a squadron is based, what type of aircraft they have,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Gary Grigsby’s War in the West is the west front version of Gary Grigsby’s War in the East. while it is labeled as a improved version of WITE with many new features, I find this game pretty disappointing. - Map is bigger and better, but you cannot form larger pockets than what is possible in WITE. Obviously, the extra hexes will be seas and you do not have those huge plain in Russia. You will fight in mountains in Italy and bocages in France, which means smaller pockets. - Air war is more…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A hardcore World War 2 strategy game where you take on the role of high command of either the Axis or the Allies on the Western front. During gameplay the turns are broken up in phases. The two main phases for the player are the air and ground phase. In the air phase you have command over all of the Air HQ's. You can let the AI take control over this and it will formulate directives for each of the wings and it does quite a good job of it. Yet you can also take direct control and plan out…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Disappointing. WITW is one of those wargames that want to make you believe their complexity is a guarantee of realism. But it has major flaws. The navies are not figured, even virtually: my sea transports in the Mediterranean and the English Channel were regularly attacked in 1944 when the allies had the dominance. A unit surrounded on 6 hexagons and routed instantly reappears at the end of the fight 10 hexes away ! Supply by rail is only done by a depot, and a depot can only be created in a…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Boy play Hearts Of Iron Series Games. But real men play War In The West Or East. The game is awesome i recomend for die hard war gamers.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Note: Hundreds of hours played before it went to steam GG's War in the West is a 10/10 complexity wargame covering the main allied operations in the west from 43-45. These include an invasion of southern france, DDay, Market Garden, Bulge, etc. While the mechanics are similar to War in the East, WitW has completely revamped the air system, for the better in my opinion. By trading off learning the complex air doctrine rules, you save yourself time dictating every single air operation like you…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →After playing war in the East I bought this game without thinking twice (bought it on matrix store). Definitely not disappointed. If you're looking for a great western front simulation then this is the game. They improved the logistics from war in the east, the air war is much better, the AI is decent (it's mostly good at defending though, when it comes to attacking it rarely risks (at least that was my experience in both war in the east and here) but I won't complain, it's more than enough to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's really good. It's the WW2 game i've been craving. Get this if you can't stay engaged with the heavily abstracted and simplified Paradox-style games. Best played in PBEM, but there is no problem finding partners.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Follow up to the epic WITE, this game covers the western front of World War 2. With a more advanced air war, strategic bombing, amphibious invasions, and the most detailed order of battle of any wargame, this becomes a must have and worth the price tag to serious wargamers looking for the most strategic challenge.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a first class, strategic wargame simulation of the mid to late war Western and Mediterranean fronts. I've long been a fan of computer wargames simulating the Tunisian Campaign since 'Vulcan' came out in 1986 on the ZX Spectrum, so for me the premise of this game was on a sound footing to start with. I was not disappointed. The level of detail and the intricacy of choice may be off-putting at first, but read the players guide, play the introductionary scenarios, and have a good read of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game doesn't run for some people and there is no apparent fix. For an $80 game I would expect it to function.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Let me begin by saying this game isnt for everyone. It may look like Hearts of Iron but HOI is this games small, slightly dimwited brother(especially HOI4...). I've played 60 hours+ so far and even now im still figuring out some of the games mechanics and intricacies. On a grand scale, this doesnt really allow for "lets turn the war around 360°" degrees scenarios. Playing as Axis is really more about escaping defeat and stalling the allies rather than say invading england and establishing…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you're a fan on WW2 simulation then this game is a must have.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The subject matter, war in the west is interesting, and I bought it thinking it would be similar to war in the east. Unfortunately it isn't. I keep try to play this game, but end up shelving it, after a couple of painfully slow turns. The AI massively cheats through unrestricted movement, aka teleporting, that allows the AI to relocate units from Greece all the way to Berlin in one turn (example) and not by using rail movement. The air war dominates the whole game and it is slow,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Here's the thing, if you're interested in history, you can buy all the books you want about about individual units, battles, soldiers, even grand strategic overviews, but still not grasp all the parts of the jigsaw. Or ....you can buy this and get a much better picture and understanding of the who what where and when....have fun and learn at the same time. Like a massive interactive groggy history book..with hexes.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Do not waste your money on this game. If you only want to play as the allies its great, I can set the game to its hardest level and walk right through the axis forces like they are using bows and arrows. If you want to play as the axis forces you will be very disappointed. Setting the game to the easy setting you can keep the allies out of Europe but forget about ever being able to launch a counter attack. I get that it is a historical game, but it is a game and you should be able to win…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Absolutely fantastic! Surprisingly accessible with competent AI assists, but with as much detail as one could want if you happen to want to manage everything on your own. The depth and control available is intimidating, but it's still completely playable if you just want to skim the surface. This is especially helpful when you are trying to learn the game. The quality of the documentation is top notch. I can't even imagine how long it would take to master every aspect of this game, but it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hard work and a lot of research involved. Cultivate your patience, as this is not an "arcade" game. If you like WWII & History, then it is a "must have".
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →it seems this game is suited to the allies to be played in most of this game. As the Axis player in the " Grand Campaign" there isnt much to do. You cant perform any amphibious landings, you cant really move too many units around because they are set to static, you do have air borne units but you dont have enough aircraft to move them, so no real way to use them. Just as the Allies started to invade Italy, the italians gave up, leaving just 15,000 germans to defend all of italy. I basically…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You're not going to do better than this game for a strategic-level WWII experience. It makes things like Hearts of Iron IV look like toys. Here's the Good: -Actual organization that makes sense: Army Group, Corps, Army, Division, Brigade/Regiment... The corps-level is almost always missed in both video and board games. As a concept, inorganic corps-level attachments seem to throw a lot of players for a loop, but they're the reason this game is so good. If you don't understand what a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →After watching Strategy Gaming D o j o's 9 part tutorial, reading about various topics in the 300 page manual, and replaying Turn 1 of the Torch-to-Tunisia campaign multiple times in order to understand how to play, I understand enough to have fun with it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am a recent convert to this series with Hearts of Iron going soft. After finally conceding to the heavy price, I have found that this is by far the most detailed wargame available. Given it's depth, there are some clunky interface elements that need to be ironed out - such as some questionable UX design, the air resolution pause every turn is a real attention killer, the soundtrack is terribly anemic, and so on. But even with its ticks, once you get the hang of it, this is the preminent…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →wtf am i even doing
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Like GG War In The East 2, this is an excellent game for those willing to put in the time to learn to play it. In my case, this was a relatively easy transition since I already had War In The East 2 and had played it extensively. There are notable differences between the games. For example, the way you define the missions for your air force are somewhat different. But if you learn the one, it should not be difficult to learn the other. If you buy this, I would suggest getting the Operation…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The GUI is a real treat. The software that this game is built on is from the last century. This game is extremely expensive for what you get.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →it is unnecessarily complicated in every area. Nothing is automated except Air strikes and you can't depend on the AI to do a good job. Supply is beyond any mortal human. I dare you to figure out Support Units and how to repair Railroads. Want to set up an amphibious invasion? HAHAHAHA I'm ready to tear my hair out just looking and the Commander's Report. There are half a dozen people at Matrix gamers forums that know the game, but as an average human with real life commitments , you'll…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Complex game. I find it almost impossible to launch successful ground assaults against any decent opposition and the air rules are just fiendish. Most the time my planes seem to do nothing while the AI monster rampages over the map. Has the look and feel of the old board games like the Europa series but the complexity just saps the enjoyment.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Absolute masterpiece. I have two recurring gripes about wargames - (1) they place the player as an omniscient, logistically omnipotent general who can issue orders immediately with perfect knowledge of what's on the ground, meaning that you lose lots of the challenges of command, and (2) they make the player go through a lot of fiddling to implement decisions rather than letting the player focus on decisionmaking. Very few games address these gripes - Doug Bevers' No Greater Glory is still…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great game! A lot of people think the GUI is outdated and clunky, but I have to disagree on that. It does the job and it does it well. I recommend reading the manual before you start playing, the manual clears up a lot of questions about the gameplay. So if you are looking for something on a epic scale with huge depth, and are tired of HOI then this is the game for you. This game also works on linux with steam proton.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Brillant game, just as good as War in the East and War in the pacific. This one ahs a much more advanced air war system which had a steep learning curve but is brilliantly done. There are plenty of scenarios of varying sizes for learning and then working up to a full campaign. This is a must buy for anyone interested in the western front from 1943 to the end of the war. market garden, the battle of the bulge, D-day its all done with great attention to detail. The game models aircraft down to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A little buggy still for a 2015 game. I played as Allies and didnt feel like I was really in control. I just marched my troops up Italy to about Rome level. it was easy peasy and it didnt seem like it mattered what choices I made. The german retreated and I advanced. But Then I attempted D-Day and for some reason the game only gives you 3 units to cooridantate the invasion (amphibious HQs). So I landed 6 units and the next turn lost one of my Amphibious HQs with no explanation. Reloaded…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Looks like a great game. Sadly, I was unable to run the game on either a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer, both upper end. Returned.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm a young dude with a passion for wargames. Because of that, Gary Grigsby's games have always been on my radar. I've always stayed away from the level of complexity, but I knew one day I would have to try it out. I have to say, I was missing out! This game rocks! After playing the Torch to Tunisia and Husky scenarios to practice, everything started to click. I also read plenty of information on the forums. Doing all this research/practice to play a game might turn some away, but once you…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really want to start a game i'm not gonna stop after few turns, unlike War in the Pacific and War in the East which are games i love, i can't get stick with this one, no problems with the gameplay, it was greatly improved since the last GG especially with the aerial management. In fact, to please me you would just have to copy everything from War in the West, but the scenario, on the East theatre and it would have been a big YES , add naval warfare, a better industry system and i would be…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →For new people to the game: This is a simulator not "company of heroes" where very complex calculations are made based on the data of each unit alone. This reflects very well the ww2 front, I usualy look almost to every unit's data (range, armor, firepower, speed) before pushing them in battle as I know that superior technology in ww2 meant victory. I will start to say that I've first started with the East version and I find this version, more complex to play. The aerial part (organizing…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →WitW is easily the most complex and intricate wargame you can find right now, allowing the player to look into the smallest details of each unit, from the armor ratings of each model tank to how many of each type of rifle your infantry are equipped with. This is great for anyone who like military history and WWII in general. The biggest hurdle is simply learning what all the information actually means. Watch some youtube videos first, and then look up individual details in the manuel as you…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Playing as the Allies in "War in the West" can be daunting due to the challenges posed by the Axis Powers from late 1943 to early 1944. However, this can be overcome by leveraging the Allies' significant air superiority, which gradually builds over time. The interdiction capabilities of the Allied air force can devastate the German Luftwaffe and industry. This dynamic is accurately depicted in the game, particularly evident when utilizing the Eighth Air Force. The game distinguishes between…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Mein Fuhrer, Steiner.... Steiner got captured in Brenner Pass. Please, we need you to sign off on the next 4,000 air directives before we lose the war.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So I'm aware it says I have played 3 hours. However I have spent about 15 hours on reading the manual and watching tutorial videos. Still don't know a thing. It's awesome 10/10 well written manual.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →50 hours in on this game and I feel like I have just scratched the surface leaning how to play it. The game allows the player to address every aspect of the war in the West. . If you are truly interested in military history and strategy gaming this game is at the top of the genre. IMHO you have to be motivated , diligent and patient in learning the game but the rewards are worth it. The weapons data base alone is worth the price of the game. It is clear that a monumental amount of work went…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The learning curve is steep on this one, and I have yet to reach the top, but if you're an old-school hex-and-counter wargamer this is exactly the sort of game that would overwhelm you on a live table but it more manageable on the PC.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →With some concerns I am changing my view of this game to somewhat positive. I'd love to give this game 5 stars for its historical research and because I love the genre, but there are issues. The detail is amazing, and the air war represents an addictive breakthrough in game design. OTH: The user interface is difficult, clunky and click intensive. Too much info is hidden below small text buttons. You will have to decide if you like the high detail and the micro-management it entails. You either…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The only game that does not start on my new computers. Apparently very cool graphics?...
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Damend: BIG MAP, a lot too learn, and as allways a GOOD GAME. Im a fan since "WAR IN RUSSIA" , on my Amiga 500. So i hope for a lot of hours with that game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've always been a fan of grand strategy games, especially covering World War II, and especially covering the Western Front. I've dumped hundreds of hours into Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings, Hearts of Iron, Victoria, and so on. There is no other game that goes so far into detail as Gary Grigsby's War in the West. If you want to get into the operational minutaie of logistics, support units, assignment of individual aircraft to airfields, and even the freaking names of the individual…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you want detail and to fight world war 2 in detail, then this is the game for you. You will have to refer to the game manual as you go to understand some items, that being said the initial learning curve is not too steep. Overall this looks exciting and i'm looking forward to sinking my teeth in more
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Gary Grigsby’s, say no more, an epic massive counter turn based game
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Gary Grigsby's War in the West.
unlabelledView post →When I say that I have no clue what I'm doing, I mean it. Seriously, what the ♥♥♥♥ is going on?
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The learning curve is less sheer cliff face and more overhanging cliff face that is covered in barbed wire. Which makes the victories(operational and strategic) all the more sweeter.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Have played this title since it was originally released on the Matrix site. Still find this game to be the most challenging wargame title in my library, and most enjoyable to play. The joy is in the sheer level of detail that can be found throughout. Not much else in this life gives me more satisfaction than bombing the absolute ♥♥♥♥ out of the Italians in the desert of North Africa, or routing the Germans in the bocage of Normandy, on a computer screen.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The real world war had less detail bro wtf!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you are interested in World War II history, enjoy a challenge, and like strategy games with a deep sense of history. Then this is for you...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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