New strategy game Headquarters Cold War escalates the conflict that never was

Headquarters: Cold War envisions a terrible alternate future where the geopolitical tensions of the post-WW2 world were ignited into actual conflict. Its tale begins in 1984, right before Gorbachev’s rise to power and the gradual de-escalation that was to follow. Drawing from military exercises of the era, such as the hypothetical WW3 simulation Seven Days to the River Rhine, it follows both sides of an escalating struggle between NATO and the USSR across two sequential ten-mission campaigns, along with the option to continue the action in skirmish modes if you want more.

Headquarters: Cold War is built on the fundamentals of developer Starni Games’ previous outing, Headquarters: World War II. If you already enjoyed that, you’ll know what to expect here, although the introduction of new units including helicopters brings a fresh layer to the turn-based strategy game. Its narrative starts with the USSR campaign. In an attempt to gain diplomatic dominance, USSR troops are deployed to cross the Berlin Wall and capture the historical center of the city, including the former Reichstag building.

The hope of the Soviet Union is that quick action followed by rapid negotiations will play on the general reluctance of the NATO nations to risk all-out nuclear war to protect West Germany alone, and thus grant the Soviets a much bigger bargaining chip in Europe. From there it would push across to the strategic stronghold Hann. Münden, and eventually onward to Cologne.

Without getting too deep into how things play out, the NATO campaign acts as the second half of the overarching story of Headquarters: Cold War, pushing back against the advances made by the Red Army. Your forces include a core set of troops that you gradually upgrade and enhance with traits as you progress, along with a handful of mission-specific units that you don’t have to maintain quite as much attachment to. There are also more skills and abilities, and yes, there’s the potential to unleash tactical nukes.

Alongside that campaign, Headquarters: Cold War offers six skirmish maps “designed for replayability and tactical variety.” It boasts an impressive count of 58 distinct units, including the first airborne options in the series courtesy of both transport and attack helicopters. Like its predecessor, the fundamentals of combat here are pretty easy to pick up, making it approachable even if you aren’t a veteran strategist. However, factors like position-specific armor, terrain cover, and destructible environments ensure there’s enough depth to keep you engaged throughout.

Headquarters: Cold War is out now on Steam, priced at $29.99 / £24.99. Find it here, and prepare to rewrite the history books.

While Cold War largely feels like the same game under the hood as Headquarters: World War II, its alternate-history approach gives it a nice twist on the formula. Starni also promises improved enemy AI to put you to the test, and it also supports both co-op and PvP if you want to bring a friend along.