History Line: 1914–1918
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Products | History Line: 1914–1918, Battle Isle series |
History Line: 1914–1918 (marketed in North America by Strategic Simulations under the name Great War: 1914–1918) is a turn-based tactics computer game created in 1992 by the German developer Blue Byte. It immerses players in pivotal engagements of the First World War, employing a game engine derived from Battle Isle '93.
Plot
Players assume command of either the French or German armies, beginning with Germany’s August 1914 offensive into France. The gameplay mirrors historical developments: initial clashes on open terrain favor cavalry units, which gradually become obsolete as trench warfare, bunkers, tanks, artillery, and aircraft dominate the battlefield. Progression unlocks new units like the A7V and Mark IV tanks.
With an educational intent, the game delivers historical background after each mission, featuring wartime facts and period illustrations sourced from contemporary newspapers. It opens with animations portraying the 1916 Western Front and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand—events that ignited World War I. The campaign follows a linear path, maintaining historical accuracy while offering insights into significant events and daily life during the conflict. Additional cinematic scenes, such as a zeppelin bombing London Bridge, enhance the atmosphere.
Gameplay
Built on a software engine akin to that of Battle Isle '93, gameplay unfolds on a hexagon-based map with a split-screen format displaying each player’s perspective. Turns are split into movement and attack phases, with both sides acting simultaneously.
Victory is achieved by capturing the opponent’s headquarters or eliminating all enemy units. Maps incorporate diverse terrain types, repair depots, and factories for unit production. Captured structures may provide free reinforcements. Units accumulate experience during battles; however, this does not persist across campaign missions.
The game offers 24 single-player campaign scenarios alongside 12 multiplayer maps for two players. The artificial intelligence exhibits limited sophistication, frequently resorting to large-scale frontal assaults; after surviving early stages through artillery use and terrain advantages, players often find the AI struggling to mount effective defenses.
Cultural influences
To comply with German regulations limiting violent content in video games, Blue Byte designed History Line without graphic combat scenes. The accompanying manual explicitly opposed violence and presented factual information without editorializing. The choice to focus on World War I rather than World War II reflects contemporary sensitivities surrounding WWII-themed titles.
Although the name implied potential for additional installments covering other historical conflicts, Blue Byte ultimately concentrated on developing the more commercially viable Battle Isle series.
Reception
In 1993, Computer Gaming World lauded History Line as "easy to learn" yet offering a demanding tactical experience with "high quality" artificial intelligence, deeming it Blue Byte’s finest release and appealing beyond just dedicated wargamers. One survey observed that "gameplay takes precedence over historical accuracy." Another review characterized it as an abstract historical title featuring puzzle-like challenges, concluding it was more accessible than typical historical simulations.
External links
- Evaluation at The Amiga Games Database