Realistic tactics game Headquarters WW2 is getting a free urban warfare update

Whether you favor Company of Heroes, Foxhole, Men of War, or even more supernatural experiences like XCOM, you'll be familiar with the particular intensity of urban warfare. The specific strategies required to fight through city streets, spot critical points to lock down, and thrive among the tight, restrictive layouts. The tension created by the constant impediments to clear vision. The ever-present threat of an assault from dark windows. It's precisely this feeling that developer Starni Games is capturing as it expands Headquarters: World War II with a new, free update that will put your tactical skills to the test.

Set to launch in September, the Headquarters: World War II Urban Warfare update will be available completely free to anyone who owns the turn-based strategy game. Headquarters has already dealt in intense, close-quarters action; storming houses, establishing defensive bunkers, and using smart tactics to win individual small-scale engagements are the name of this WW2 game. That's only going to be amplified when the new update lands, however.

"Whether you prefer flanking maneuvers, long-range duels, or brutal, close-quarters engagements, Urban Warfare offers fresh tactical challenges that will test your command skills like never before," Starni teases. The patch will introduce six "expertly designed" battlegrounds to the mix.

'Flankpoint' sees you fighting for control of a small city center packed with pocket parks and full of flanking routes. Snag its elevated positions and you'll have a big advantage. 'Riverpoint' features a sprawling settlement dominated by two opposing hills, split down the middle by a meandering river. 'Greenline' has many tight alleyways and narrow lanes, but opens up in the center to a wide park.

'Operation Deepline' is a mixture of forests, streets, and waterways, with plenty of natural defenses and opportunities for stealth. 'Ridgeline Conflict' is a ruined metropolis full of brutal verticality and long sightlines. Positioning is key in this highly contested zone, but you might have to battle through cramped interior locations to earn the best spots. Finally, 'Shattered City' is exactly what the name promises: a large, obliterated urban space with a spread of narrow alleyways and wide-open spaces, keeping you on your toes.

The Headquarters: World War II Urban Warfare update launches for free on Tuesday September 9. "Whether you're jumping into skirmish or multiplayer, Urban Warfare is designed to shake up your strategy and keep you guessing at every turn," Starni concludes.

Looking for more of the best war games, or perhaps the best strategy games? We've picked out the essentials to make sure you don't miss anything special.

You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We've also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.