63 Days takes you on a grim tour of war-torn Poland. History doesn’t lie, and this harrowing title puts Poland’s resistance fighters in the spotlight. It was a fantastic idea that should have been fascinating and enthralling. However, issues with core mechanics and overly complicated controls prevent it from shining. Yet, underneath the shortcomings, there is plenty of potential trying to break through.
This stealth tactical game was developed and published by Destructive Creations. Moreover, it is a single-player or cooperative experience. I didn’t try the latter mode, and I spent my entire time fighting the nazis as a solo resistance leader. Accordingly, my review will focus on this gameplay. I will start by saying that I love the unique WWII viewpoint. Rarely do people focus on Poland’s war efforts, and I appreciated the fresh take. Yet, the issues will prevent people from losing themselves in the story.
63 Days: A Brutal Tale.
2 brothers have had enough! Their country is being attacked and Hitler and his troops outnumber them. But this matters not. They know that brain power will beat brawn every time. Consequently, they will plan every encounter to the finest of margins. This meticulous approach will give them a slender advantage and turn the tide in their favour.
In theory, this is a great plan, but it rarely works. The combination of stealth and run-and-gun combat doesn’t quite work. Additionally, wonky AI and unfortunate controls force you into a test of memory recall and uncomfortable dexterity. This was extremely frustrating as your bullets are as powerful as a potato shooter and distracting the enemy only exposes your position. You may say there is a skill gap, and maybe you are right. However, I’ve played plenty of tactical games, and 63 Days just didn’t feel right.
A decent campaign.
The gameplay flows across 6 campaigns. Each of these stages becomes increasingly convoluted and the maps are huge. Each one beautifully represents Poland’s broken cities. With bombed buildings, dead bodies, and other unfortunate signs of war, it is tough to take in. However, it is this cruel backdrop that keeps you going. Alongside this, the interesting cinematic and well-narrated plot was captivating. It’s just a shame that the core mechanics drive you to distraction.
During each mission, there are 5 characters to utilise. You are normally asked to take 2-3 heroes into each mission and each has strengths and weaknesses. One is a master of stealth combat, and another champions the use of daggers. Alternatively, maybe healing is your go-to skill. Either way, you must understand each skill if you are to succeed.
The aim of the game is to remain in the shadows. This isn’t always possible as the janky mechanics occasionally throw a spanner in the works. If the shit hits the fan and you are spotted, you are free to unleash hell with your arsenal of weapons. Unfortunately, the enemy is far stronger and their weapons are more powerful, so an all-out gunfight isn’t advised. Disappointingly, the only tactic that worked was dragging my enemies into a funnel of doom. Though this worked 9 times out of 10, it felt a bit lame and it didn’t match the tactical theme.
63 Days looks fantastic.
Though the core elements were janky, 63 Days looks fantastic. The bird’s eye perspective lets you plan and in theory gives you an unfair advantage. Alongside this, the UI is clean and easy to understand. The world is grim and uncomfortable on the eye. The broken buildings, dead bodies, and lack of colour are a sombre reminder of Poland’s relationship with WWII.
The audio creates a chilling atmosphere as well. The melancholy music and cruel story highlight the plight of the resistance. Explosions, gunfire, and shouting fill the air of every mission. There is a sense of vulnerability and danger at each stage and this was brilliant to experience.
Challenging controls.
63 Days is suited to a mouse and keyboard. Subsequently, whenever you play this with a gamepad, things get complicated. Selecting multiple units is easy, but executing their special skills requires a lot of effort. This was frustrating especially when you are trying to complete an array of tactical elements at once. However, after a few hours, you get used to the complicated approach and things do get easier.
Replay value and longevity focus on the 3 difficulty settings. The easy mode doesn’t test you too much and this was a good place to start. Unfortunately, the hard mode is brutal and this will punish you. Consequently, if you like to push yourself, then there is scope to test your tactical mindset.
63 Days is good but it could be better.
63 Days was good but infuriating at the same time. I loved the level design and the grim aesthetic. Moreover, the story was fantastic and the narration worked well. However, the core elements weren’t great and this holds it back. If you have patience and love tactical games, then you’ll get plenty out of this. Accordingly, despite its shortcomings, I recommend buying it here! Can you stand up to the Nazis? Master your skills, hide in the shadows, and plan every move.
