If you love diving deep into maps and making tough calls that shape a whole war, get ready for Systemic War. This new game from Polish studio Play of Battle mixes grand strategy with real-time battles in a way that could hook you for hours. With a demo dropping on October 13 during Steam Next Fest, it’s just days away from letting you test it out before the full release in 2026.
Modern Grand Strategy Challenger to Hearts of Iron IV
Set in the modern world (2008–2025), the game puts you in charge of any nation facing real threats, from leading Poland against an eastern invasion to steering the US through a Pacific crisis. The world feels alive because every strategic move is based on real-world roads and rails. I see this as a direct competitor to Hearts of Iron IV. My only concern, however, is the use of AI-generated content for “minor 2D visual elements and some event-based cinematic content,” as mentioned on Steam.
What sets Systemic War apart is its blend of grand strategy and tactical combat. You manage four core areas: diplomacy, information warfare, military development, and economic stability. For instance, you could negotiate supply deals or adjust your economy to fund new technology, then jump into battles to direct troops personally. You choose your approach: either digging in deep to hold your ground or launching aggressive counter-attacks.
Now, let’s compare this to something familiar, like the Total War series. Total War is known for its real-time battles where you command vast units and watch historical lines form and collapse. Systemic War offers something similar, but swaps ancient swords for modern tanks and drones. Its battles take place in over 25 real-world hot zones across Europe and Asia, from the Suwałki Gap to the streets of Warsaw.
Electronic Warfare, Dynamic Economies, and Expert-Driven Geopolitics
You command over 150 unit types which can be customized with upgrades or special teams for tech boosts. Like Total War, terrain is crucial: rivers slow tanks, forests hide enemies, and cities become close-quarters battlegrounds. However, Systemic War adds modern twists, such as electronic warfare to jam signals and vulnerable supply lines that you must actively protect.
Next, consider Hearts of Iron IV (HoI4), the king of WWII grand strategy where you have spies, factories, and alliances. HoI4 excels with complex choices, but its pace is based on pauses and moving images of units in the world, not continuous action. Systemic War takes that depth and accelerates it with real-time combat. Instead of just drawing up plans on a map, you zoom in to fight.
Both games love geopolitics; HoI4 focuses on tracking trade and troops globally, while Systemic War adds dynamic economic models that react to your spending, such as borrowing for welfare or boosting exports. It even includes expert input, like from Dr. Jacek Bartosiak, to ensure the diplomatic tensions feel authentic.
