Base-building is a tried-and-true element of strategy games. Constructing your base from a small enclave to a massive stronghold is such a foundational pleasure of video games that it has become its own subgenre. Ground of Aces is an intensive and detailed entry in that subgenre. The game tasks you with running an air force base during World War II. You'll fend off enemy attacks and build up your capabilities. It's still in early access, but the Scramble update has made Ground of Aces even more complex and chaotic.
In this update, you'll have to decide what planes to scramble when an attack comes. You can fly special planes to safety and launch to defend your base. However, you'll have limited time. You can only use planes that take off in time. Adding alarms to your base will help you anticipate enemy attacks, giving you more time to prepare for them. Defensive and offensive operations are now more complicated because of ammo. Sending planes on missions will use up ammo, so make sure your planes have everything they need. Additionally, if you don't stock your defensive structures with ammo, they might not be able to fire on enemies when attacks come, creating yet another logistic to consider in this management game.
The update also adds stats to Ground of Aces. Each and every member of your staff now has a set of stats and ability, based on where they start in your base. Stats affect the success rate of missions and successful missions will also help your crew rank up. You can use a variety of training objects to boost the stats of your crew and staff. As you expand your base, you'll get access to more advanced training options.
You can purchase Ground of Aces in early access on Steam. You can buy it now for $19.99 at a 20% discount here until September 17.
If you are looking for more historical games, check out our list of the best WW2 games. If you want more ways to stretch your tactical mind, take a look at the best strategy games.
After a long work day of managing supply lines and defending infrastructure, head down to the PCGamesN Discord server to chat all things PC games.