63 Days brings players into the heart of WWII with immersive, detailed environments and tactical RTS gameplay. However, despite its compelling setting and unique characters, the game’s lengthy missions and repetitive objectives may challenge the patience of even the most dedicated RTS fans.
63 Days, a real-time strategy (RTS) game, has captured the attention of WWII game enthusiasts with its historically driven story set in 1944 Poland. Developed and published by Destructive Creations, a Polish game studio known for War Mongrels, 63 Days brings players back to the complex wartime setting with a focus on Polish resistance fighters facing the challenges of Nazi-occupied Warsaw. This review dives into what makes 63 Days both captivating and challenging for RTS fans and history buffs alike.
A Cinematic Journey Through War-Torn Poland
63 Days places players in the heart of Warsaw in 1944, following five distinct characters who are members of the Polish resistance. Though the game consists of only six chapters, each one feels vast and immersive, offering intricately detailed maps that bring the ruined architecture and landscapes of WWII Poland to life. Destructive Creations has put considerable effort into creating an environment that feels authentic, with destroyed buildings, narrow alleys, and war-torn streets that enhance the grim atmosphere and immerse players in the wartime setting.
Each level presents new challenges and realistic scenarios, requiring players to navigate urban landscapes dense with enemy troops and strategically placed structures that force tactical decision-making. The meticulous attention to detail in each chapter provides a genuine sense of place, making each mission feel both visually impressive and contextually grounded.
Engaging RTS Mechanics
The gameplay of 63 Days builds on elements introduced in War Mongrels but adds new strategic layers that emphasize stealth and precision. The RTS mechanics encourage a slower, more methodical pace, as the game punishes rash actions. Players must plan their moves carefully to remain undetected, as a single mistake can lead to an entire enemy squad zeroing in on them.
While each mission might feel linear, the strategic puzzle elements of 63 Days are challenging and demand the player’s full attention. To proceed, players often need to take down enemy soldiers in a specific order. For example, eliminating one enemy might require first dealing with another who’s watching them. This structure adds to the game’s suspense, requiring players to think carefully and execute each move with precision.
Unique Character Abilities
In 63 Days, players switch between five main characters, each equipped with distinct abilities that cater to specific tactical needs. For example, one character can throw knives to eliminate enemies from a distance but lacks the ability to hide bodies, while another can move and hide bodies but only performs melee attacks. This forces players to strategically manage their team, leveraging each character’s abilities to complete missions without alerting enemy troops.
As players progress, managing these different skills and timing attacks becomes crucial. At times, the game demands players to make split-second decisions, particularly when enemies are within each other’s line of sight, requiring clever distractions and precise timing to navigate around their vigilance.
“Planning Mode” and Combat Mechanics
Destructive Creations also reintroduces the “Planning Mode” from War Mongrels, allowing players to slow down time and issue multiple commands at once. This mode is particularly useful when dealing with groups of enemies or tackling high-pressure scenarios. Additionally, 63 Days incorporates a third-person shooting mechanic, which lets players engage in direct combat when needed. This twin-stick shooter option can speed up the game’s pace and adds an extra layer of action. However, because gunfire attracts enemy attention, the mechanic is best reserved for specific moments, usually during larger battles near the end of each chapter.
Room for Improvement: Lengthy Missions
One drawback of 63 Days is the length of its missions. Each chapter is divided into multiple stages, with objectives scattered across sprawling maps. The time commitment can feel overwhelming, with individual missions lasting anywhere from two to three hours, depending on the difficulty level selected. Although the missions’ complexity and size offer deep gameplay, the extended length can make the experience feel drawn out, particularly for players new to RTS or unfamiliar with Destructive Creations’ puzzle-heavy design.
Additionally, the lengthy missions detract somewhat from the game’s narrative momentum. Key story events are typically only shown through cutscenes at the beginning of each mission, which can make the plot feel disjointed. While the story is engaging, the gaps between these cutscenes mean the game relies heavily on environmental storytelling rather than a continuous narrative flow.
Technical and Platform Information
Game Title: 63 Days
Developer/Publisher: Destructive Creations
Genre: Strategy, Puzzle
Release Date: September 26, 2024
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Minimum System Requirements:
- OS: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-7400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 / AMD Radeon R9 270
- Storage: 16GB
Recommended System (Tested):
- OS: Windows 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-9300H 2.4GHz
- RAM: 16GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen 3×2
Conclusion: A Strategic WWII Experience with Some Pacing Issues
63 Days presents a compelling blend of real-time strategy and puzzle-solving in a historical WWII setting that’s visually rich and atmospheric. It demands careful planning and precise execution, with missions that immerse players in the harrowing experience of resistance fighting in 1944 Poland. However, the game’s lengthy missions and somewhat fragmented storytelling can detract from the overall experience, potentially alienating players seeking a more streamlined RTS experience.
Despite its pacing issues, 63 Days remains a rewarding game for those who enjoy stealth-based RTS gameplay with a historical twist. It stands as another strong entry in Destructive Creations’ WWII-inspired catalog, delivering both tactical depth and a powerful atmosphere reflective of its historical setting.
