9th Company: Roots of Terror

About

9th Company Roots of Terror is a real-time strategy game that puts you in command of a Soviet military unit during the 1980s conflict in Afghanistan. You manage resources, build defenses, and direct soldiers through a war-torn landscape inspired by the 345th Guards Airborne Regiment’s real-life final mission. The single-player campaign follows recruits training in Uzbekistan before deploying to a brutal mountain stand-off against Mujahideen forces. Gameplay mixes base-building with tactical combat as you balance survival and offense under relentless pressure. The game stands out for its grim historical detail and unflinching portrayal of Soviet casualties. It recreates the 1988 battle on Hill 3234 where 9th Company faced hundreds of attackers, losing nearly half their men in two days. While reviews were mixed, Metacritic averages a 7.5/10, it earned praise for its authenticity and challenging difficulty. The focus on real military tactics and the lack of hand-holding make it a niche title for strategy fans interested in historical conflicts. Its unvarnished look at war’s toll remains its strongest hook.