Partisans 1941
Soviet partisans fight behind enemy lines in World War II.
Partisans 1941 is a real-time tactics game from Russian developer Alter Games, published by Daedalic Entertainment in 2020. Players lead a group of Soviet partisans battling German forces during World War II. The gameplay closely resembles that of Commandos 2, requiring players to keep their squad hidden from enemy vision cones. Unlike that classic, however, the game adds a resource management layer: partisans begin with limited gear and must scavenge weapons from fallen foes. Additional partisans, each with unique specialties, can be unlocked over time. The game was released on October 14, 2020. A paid DLC arrived in April 2021, adding seven standalone missions and a horde mode where players survive waves of Nazi soldiers. Critical reception was mixed, with Metacritic rating it as "mixed or average," while OpenCritic found 62% of critics recommended it. PC Gamer praised the stealth mechanics for being important without turning the game into a puzzle that fails upon detection, calling it "a winning formula." Rock Paper Shotgun compared it to Desperados III, noting it is less flashy but immersive, with an interesting setting and enjoyable management elements. Wargamer commended the combat as a "great, if simple, stealth experience," but was less impressed by the story and felt some maps fell short of those in XCOM or Company of Heroes.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Partisans 1941
- Developer
- Alter Games
- Publisher
- Daedalic Entertainment
- Engine
- Unreal Engine
- Platforms
- Windows
- Released
- WW · October 14, 2020
- Genre
- Real-time tactics
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Partisans 1941 was developed in Russia and released by Daedalic Entertainment on October 14, 2020. The game focuses on a group of Soviet partisans during Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. Gameplay emphasizes stealth, with enemy soldiers having cones of vision that the partisans must avoid. The partisans use tools for distraction and silent killing, as well as conventional louder weapons. Unlike Commandos 2, the partisans do not start fully equipped and must scavenge weapons from enemies. Additional partisans can be unlocked, each with their own specialties.
Alter Games released paid downloadable content in April 2021 that adds seven missions separate from the campaign, along with a horde mode where players attempt to survive waves of attacking Nazi soldiers. The game received mixed or average reviews from critics according to Metacritic, while OpenCritic assessed that 62% of critics recommended it. PC Gamer praised the stealth elements for being important without turning the game into a puzzle that is instantly lost upon detection, calling it a winning formula. Rock Paper Shotgun compared it to Desperados III, noting it is less flashy but immersive with an interesting setting and fun management elements. Wargamer praised the combat as offering a great, if simple, stealth experience, but was less enthused about the story and noted some maps were not as well designed as those in XCOM or Company of Heroes.
Reader's Guide
Partisans 1941 occupies a niche in the real-time tactics genre by blending the stealth-focused gameplay of Commandos 2 with a resource management layer. Its significance lies in its setting—Soviet partisans during Operation Barbarossa—which offers a perspective less commonly explored in World War II games. The game's legacy is shaped by its mixed critical reception: while Metacritic categorized it as mixed or average, OpenCritic showed a 62% recommendation rate, indicating a divided response. PC Gamer highlighted the balance between stealth and action as a winning formula, suggesting the game avoids the frustration of instant failure upon detection. Rock Paper Shotgun found it immersive and praised its management elements, though it lacked the flash of Desperados III. Wargamer appreciated the combat but criticized the story and map design relative to benchmarks like XCOM and Company of Heroes. The April 2021 DLC extended the game with additional missions and a horde mode, adding replayability. Overall, Partisans 1941 is remembered as a competent but not groundbreaking entry in the real-time tactics genre, valued for its setting and stealth mechanics.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed in Russia.
- Paid DLC released in April 2021 adds seven missions and a horde mode.
- Partisans must scavenge weapons from enemies as they do not start fully equipped.
- The game shares many similarities with Commandos 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Partisans 1941?
Partisans 1941 is a real-time tactics game in which players command a squad of Soviet resistance fighters operating behind German lines during Operation Barbarossa. It was developed by the Russian studio Alter Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment.
How does Partisans 1941's stealth gameplay work?
Players must carefully maneuver their partisans to stay outside enemy vision cones, much like the classic Commandos titles. Each squad member has a distinct specialty, and additional specialists with unique abilities can be recruited as the campaign unfolds.
What sets Partisans 1941 apart from Commandos 2?
While the core stealth-tactics loop is closely modeled after Commandos 2, Partisans 1941 adds a resource-management layer on top. Your squad starts with limited gear, so you must scavenge weapons and equipment from fallen enemies to stay combat-ready.
When was Partisans 1941 released and who published it?
The game launched on October 14, 2020, under the Daedalic Entertainment publishing banner. Its developer, Alter Games, is a Russian studio based in the gaming industry's post-Soviet scene.
How did critics receive Partisans 1941?
The title earned mixed-to-average scores on Metacritic at its 2020 launch. It was generally acknowledged as a faithful evolution of the Commandos stealth formula, with its added survival and scavenging mechanics drawing both praise and criticism.
More in Video Games of the 2020s, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced