Wars Across the World: Near East 1915 is a turn-based strategy game that focuses on the Middle Eastern theater of World War I. Players command either the Entente forces or the Ottoman Empire across a map stretching from the Suez Canal to Persia and from Gallipoli to Kuwait. The title emphasizes operational-level decisions over nearly four years of conflict, with each side pursuing distinct territorial and political goals amid shifting fronts in the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, and Sinai regions.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around managing military operations on a regional map divided into areas and theaters. Turns advance the calendar from February 1915 through November 1918, with each turn covering two weeks of activity. Entente players aim to capture key objectives in Turkey and the broader Near East to force Ottoman collapse. Ottoman players focus on holding defensive lines across multiple fronts while seeking limited gains in places such as Yemen, Persia, and the Caucasus to maintain viability.
Event cards introduce variability through diplomatic, military, and political developments that can alter reinforcements, supply lines, or alliances at unexpected moments. The Ottoman Surrender index serves as the central victory condition: if it exceeds a threshold of 10 at any point, the Entente side wins outright. Combat and movement resolve through unit positioning, terrain effects, and stack interactions, with leaders and composition influencing outcomes. The campaign runs for 91 turns and typically requires around six and a half hours to complete in a single session.
Both sides receive asymmetric challenges. The Entente must coordinate advances across dispersed fronts while supporting Arab insurgents against Ottoman supply routes. The Ottoman side defends core territories and attempts to delay or reverse Entente momentum through local counteractions. No favored side exists in the design, though the Ottoman position demands careful resource allocation to avoid early collapse.
Game Modes
The primary experience is the full historical campaign pitting the Entente against the Ottoman Empire. This single scenario encompasses the entire 1915 to 1918 period and incorporates all major theaters mentioned in the historical record, including the failed Ottoman push toward the Suez Canal, the Gallipoli landings, and later British captures of Baghdad, Jerusalem, and Damascus. Event cards refresh each playthrough with different combinations of fluctuations that affect the strategic situation.
Players alternate turns within the shared campaign structure, with the first player following a fixed sequence of phases that cover movement, combat, and card resolution. The design supports solo play against the AI or head-to-head matches, though the core rules remain identical regardless of opponent type. No additional named modes appear beyond this central campaign framework.
Historical Context and Map Design
The scenario recreates the Entente effort to dismantle the Ottoman Empire through coordinated pressure on multiple axes. British, Russian, and Arab forces represent the Entente side, while the Ottoman player controls Turkish units and must manage simultaneous threats in the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, and Sinai. Key milestones such as the 1915 opening offensives, the expansion of fighting into Persia, and the 1917 British advances are reflected through objective placement and the surrender index mechanics.
The map covers the full geographic scope from the Suez Canal defenses to the Persian frontier and incorporates terrain variations that influence movement and combat effectiveness. Supply considerations and railway interdiction through the Arab Revolt play roles in limiting Ottoman options over time. The 91-turn length allows the strategic situation to evolve gradually, mirroring the historical progression from stalemate in 1915 to decisive Entente gains by late 1917.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy detailed historical strategy games with clear victory conditions and moderate session lengths. The asymmetric objectives and event-driven variability create replay value without requiring extensive setup. Those interested in World War I operational campaigns will find the focus on the often-overlooked Middle Eastern theater a refreshing change from Western Front simulations.
The Ottomans present the greater challenge due to the need to defend across three fronts while monitoring the surrender index. Entente players benefit from broader options but must still manage dispersed forces effectively. With an average playtime of six and a half hours and no favored side, the campaign offers balanced strategic depth for both newcomers to the series and experienced wargamers seeking a self-contained scenario.
