This War of Mine: Scavenge for Supplies and Make Difficult Decisions in the Survival Strategy Game
This War of Mine is a survival strategy game that presents war from the perspective of civilians rather than soldiers. Unlike traditional war games, it focuses on the hardships of survival, moral dilemmas, and the psychological toll of conflict. Players must manage a group of survivors in a besieged city, scavenging for supplies, making difficult decisions, and struggling to stay alive against starvation, sickness, and external threats.
Plot and Setting
Inspired by real conflicts—particularly the Siege of Sarajevo (1992-1996)—This War of Mine takes place in the fictional war-torn city of Pogoren, Graznavia. The game follows a group of ordinary civilians trapped in the city, forced to find food, craft tools, and defend their shelter while the war rages on outside.
Unlike traditional war games where players are well-armed soldiers, here they experience war as vulnerable non-combatants, struggling with hunger, disease, and moral decisions that shape their chances of survival.
Gameplay Mechanics
Day-Night Cycle:
Daytime: The city is too dangerous due to snipers and enemy patrols. Players stay inside their shelter, managing resources, crafting, and caring for survivors.
Nighttime: Players send survivors to scavenge the ruins of the city, searching for food, medicine, and supplies—while risking encounters with hostile survivors or soldiers.
Resource Management: Players must carefully manage food, medicine, building materials, and emotional well-being to keep their group alive.
Moral Choices: Decisions have long-term consequences—stealing from others may ensure survival but can cause guilt, depression, or retaliation. Helping those in need can boost morale but may cost valuable supplies.
Randomized Events and Characters: Each playthrough features different survivors, locations, and encounters, making every experience unique.
Shelter Upgrades: Players can improve their base by reinforcing defenses, building beds, crafting tools, or creating makeshift stoves and heaters to endure the cold.
Mental and Physical Health: Survivors can suffer from depression, injury, starvation, or illness, affecting their ability to contribute. If left untreated, they may become unproductive, suicidal, or leave the group entirely.
Themes
The Harsh Reality of War: The game challenges the romanticized view of war, showing its devastating impact on civilians.
Moral Ambiguity: Every decision comes with consequences—there are no “good” choices, only necessary ones.
Survival at a Cost: Players experience the psychological and physical struggles of maintaining hope in a hopeless situation.
Empathy and Perspective: By placing players in the shoes of civilians, the game fosters a deeper understanding of real-world war tragedies.
Visuals and Audio
This War of Mine uses a hand-drawn, black-and-white aesthetic, creating a gritty, somber atmosphere that emphasizes the bleakness of war. Rough sketch-like textures and muted colors enhance the feeling of despair and uncertainty.
The soundtrack, composed by Piotr Musiał, is minimalistic yet haunting, featuring melancholic piano, distant explosions, and the sounds of suffering to immerse players in the emotional weight of survival.
Have you played This War of Mine? What’s your favourite part of it? We’d love to hear from you.
Other things you might want to know:
Is This War of Mine based on a true story?
The experiences of Bosnian Civilians inspired the game during the 1992-1996 Siege of Sarajevo.
How long do you have to last in This War of Mine?
Depending on the characters chosen, players can beat the game after surviving the ceasefire day.
Is This War of Mine a horror game?
Interestingly, the horror comes from its non-fiction theming rather than the normal tropes.
