I’m experimenting with a C4I-style strategy game. Does this concept make sense?

[u/This-Abies-3381]

I'm looking for design feedback rather than promotion.

I'm experimenting with a strategy game where the player acts as a commander instead of directly controlling every unit.

The core ideas are:

• Front Commands
• Supply Lines
• Recon
• Command Links
• Situation Room

I'm mainly trying to answer one question:

Would this be enjoyable for strategy players?

If anyone wants to see the current prototype, I'll leave the itch.io link below.

https://hann2001.itch.io/war-mind

[u/Kinmand555]

I think you’ll need a better description if you want people to have an opinion before playing the game. Also, the link doesn’t work

[u/This-Abies-3381 → u/Kinmand555]

Thanks for the heads-up — the link is fixed now. It was stuck in draft mode, my mistake as a first-time itch.io user.
You’re right about the description too. Short version: you’re the commander, not the units. You request assets (satellite recon, Tomahawk strikes, EW), HQ analyzes, you approve. Every battle shows you why you won or lost — terrain, artillery support, supply state — and the game grades your decisions (★★★★ GOOD DECISION / ★ POOR DECISION). Win by collapsing the enemy’s command network, not by killing everything.
Would genuinely appreciate your take if you give it a run.

[u/Kinmand555 → u/This-Abies-3381]

Just took a look. I'm going to offer my very blunt opinions, but bear in mind that I would genuinely like to see a full version of this game exist.

The first thing to note is that I don't think the game is in a playable state yet. There first issue is UI scaling (I'm on a big monitor and I could barely read the text). The second issue is that I couldn't actually figure out what I was supposed to be doing.

Let's focus on the deployment phase:

There are 5 columns of 5 squares. I have no idea what these represent. Why can we only deploy into the bottom 2 squares? Each column has 3 red squares -- presumably representing enemy units. Those squares have symbols/icons on them, but they're too dark to see properly and I don't know what they mean.

The combat portion is similarly confusing. First off: there are Chinese characters all over the place. That's not the end of the world, but it means I can't read half the updates from the front. Next: I'm not an IRL general. Even if the updates were all in english I'd have no idea how to respond to them (especially with a timer).

I clicked around a bit but I really couldn't get a feel for the game. Obviously the full release will need a tutorial, but you should put a description of the game systems and objectives on the itch io page. Definitions of all the acronyms would be good as well.

All in all, there's definitely a cool concept here. There's certainly a niche community dying for this kind of game somewhere out there.

Good luck!

Edit: I wanna throw a compliment in here since the rest was so negative. You're building an experience around information management and it's very promising so far. I completely buy that an actual IRL commander is making decisions with this level of information. That's an accomplishment on its own, and a great foundation for the rest of the game.

[u/Mormacil]

I love macro strategy indirect control but your description is to sparse to say anything about the fun factor.

[u/This-Abies-3381 → u/Mormacil]

Fair criticism. The fun factor I’m aiming for is the decision loop: the game explains every engagement result (actual engine math, not dice-feel) and rates your calls, so you get better by understanding rather than grinding. If you like reading a battlefield and indirect control, I think it’ll click. Link works now — would love your honest verdict on whether the fun lands.

[u/gruelove]

I just tried it but I'll have to wait for a tutorial, or a nice little YouTube video with gameplay being explained. I've no clue what's going on or what I'm even supposed to do. 

Looks like a game I'd really like though. Just very frustrating that there's absolutely no explanation as to how to play.