Waterloo

About

Waterloo is a turn-based strategy wargame pitting British and Prussian forces against Napoleon’s French army. Players issue text-based commands in alternating five-move turns, each representing six hours of in-game action. Troop movement depends on terrain, weather, and time of day, with units needing rest periods and night travel draining morale. Infantry, cavalry, artillery, and supply lines must be managed carefully, losing a general causes entire units to flee. Objectives vary by faction, with French forces aiming to capture Brussels or Calais while British/Prussian players target Paris or Napoleon’s death. The game’s depth comes from its balance of logistics and timing. Each move feels consequential as 6-hour increments speed the war toward its end. The Atari version’s smooth scrolling map and Apple II’s segmented layout offer distinct tactical perspectives. With no modern frills, Waterloo relies on pure historical strategy and careful planning. The 1981 release remains a lean, methodical test of military foresight.

Storyline

Based upon the battle of Waterloo, the player controls British and Prussian forces against Napoleon's French forces. Played from an overhead perspective on a large map of continental Western Europe, the player's forces are displayed as small tiles on the screen. In the Atari version, the player has a large smoothly scrolling map, while the Apple II version breaks the map into 16 individual segments, which can be viewed separately.