It Takes a War
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About It Takes a War
It Takes a War is a tactical shooter that leans hard into realism and team coordination. Set in a gritty modern battlefield, you lead a squad through high-stakes missions requiring precise planning and execution. Developer Thomas Mackinnon, known for his indie experiments, released the game in November 2025 under Pantaloon. The game blends cover-based shooting with squad management, where each action feels deliberate. With single-player focus and no multiplayer, it’s for players who want to micromanage every bullet and tactic. The elevator pitch: a no-frills war game where teamwork and strategy matter more than flashy shooting.
Gameplay
You’ll spend most sessions crouched behind cover, switching between scoped snipers and submachine guns, all while barking orders to AI teammates. Missions start with intel briefings, then drop you into open maps littered with rubble and snipers. The core loop involves advancing under fire, using overwatch to zone enemies, and reviving downed allies. Controls are tight but methodical, you can’t sprint, only crawl or jog. Each mission forces you to adapt: a push might require breaching a building, while another demands stealthy takedowns. Reloading mechanics and realistic ammo limits keep tension high. Failure resets you to checkpoints, but squad deaths feel punishing.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 72% completing the campaign. Average playtime is 14 hours, though 38% of players tag it as “Tense,” matching its high-stakes design. Reviews praise the AI’s unpredictability, snipers hide in trees, and enemies flanking you feel earned. But 29% call it “Satisfied,” citing deep tactics. Some 18% are “Frustrated” by stiff AI allies who sometimes walk into firefights. Metacritic holds it at 82, with critics calling it “a masterclass in military realism.” The 200 achievements track everything from silent kills to reviving a squad three times in one mission.
PlayPile's Take
It’s a must-play for tactical shooter fans who value planning over reflexes. At $39.99, the 14-hour campaign feels reasonably priced if you’re patient with AI quirks. Skip if you want fast-paced action or don’t care about squad management. The 72% completion rate suggests the difficulty curve is fair, but the 18% frustration metric warns of occasional clunky AI. For $40, it’s a strong bet if you like games that punish mistakes and reward careful thinking.
Game Modes
Single player
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