more accessible but without loosing it's identity
Note: this review is actually for the PC version, but that was not available in the list for some reason. I will adjust this review appropriately later, when the PC version has been added. However, I have tested the game with a controller, so I think my review might still be useful to PS4 players, since the main issue with these types of games on console - based on my own experiences - concerns the gameplay mechanics.
Having played the previous Sudden Strike games, I would argue that Sudden Strike 4 has the same identity as the older ones; the core gameplay is more or less the same, it has the same scripted events as before. You still make progress by gradually taking over the map (a typical mission), as you reach each goal a new scripted event occurs that you need to respond to. This was the same in the previous games. The presentation and style feels the same as well. So the identity is still very much there.
It is a tactical game, with micro-and macro-management elements. You group units together into various bigger units that you move around, you need to keep soldiers supplied with ammo, trucks with fuel, and so on. Each target area on the map presents a new tactical puzzle for you, e.g. how do you take out this enemy's "supertank" with much weaker resources. You need - or should- explore each map for resources you can scavenge, those extra tanks might just make the difference in the end. You need to think about positioning. And more goodies like this. There's a pleasant sense of achievement as you make progress in each map.
There is one major change though, in that they have lowered the difficulty for the Normal level. I remember Normal being quite a challenge in the older games, forcing me to restart a mission at times because of bad choices at the start. Sudden Strike 4 did not feel as challenging on Normal as previously. So if you have played the previous games you might want to increase the difficulty level to get the same buzz as before. Equally, the game does not feel as "elitist" as the series once did, for hardcore gamers only. Having more difficulty options has made the game something truly everyone can play.
There's been a big improvement in the micromanagement elements, where it's much more efficient to handle soldiers, trucks and so on. To move them around, give them orders, ... making them do stuff. It feels significantly smoother to play the game compared to the previous ones, as your AI is smarter and can do more stuff on their own. In the older games the micromanagement of soldiers often felt overwhelming, to the extent that it took over the focus of the gameplay; it wasn't about tactics and combat anymore, it was about moving supplies around. So I'm very happy with these changes, the developers removed or simplified parts that felt unnecessary.
Something new, is that you get to choose a general before each mission. Each general has traits that will impact the gameplay; he might be a tank general so your tanks might therefore fight better, your medics might be better or faster at healing, your soldiers might carry more grenades, you might get better air support, and so on. This adds an extra tactical element, and is a fun addition to the gameplay.
The aesthetics and music are both really nice, there's some voiced narrative before each mission. The game as a whole feels rather old-school, but that's almost unavoidable with these kinds of games. And personally speaking, I prefer this in a game like this, I really like the old-school feel of it. Most likely, it's going to be older gamers like myself who are interested in a title like this. What makes this game innovative is how it handles gamepad or controller gameplay.
The core game offers more or less your standard scenarios, for a WW2 game that tries to cover all sides of the war; you pretty much get the mission-types you expect to get. In contrast, the DLCs offer more unique content and settings, so they are definitely worth checking up.
I mainly played the game with my Steam controller, which is how I play 90% of my PC games (even those on Epic). It works great with a Steam controller, after some tweaking, it even felt easier than using mouse & keyboard. I also tested the game with an Xbox controller.
The game plays really well with a regular controller, it's simple to play the game. I've played a few of these types of games on console (RUSE, Halo Wars, etc.), so I have some experience in this. Sure, you can get accustomed to anything of-course, but the smoother something works from the onset the better. Moving the troops around and giving orders worked really, really well. It was easy to handle and to learn, surprisingly so. It feels intuitive and straight-forward, it's not a chore or hassle to play. The game uses radial menus very efficiently and simply.
There's lots of ignorance floating around, that these kinds of games can't be played with controllers, but this game is fine example of how false that claims is. If the developer is smart and willing to put the time in, it's actually very simple to play them with a controller, as this game shows.
In summary then, an easy game to recommend; difficulty levels that should suit every type of gamer, fun tactical gameplay, looks and sounds great, works well with a controller (both Steam and regular). I actually have zero complaints on this, hence my rating, it delivered on everything I was hoping for.