Battle Academy

Battle Academy is a series of two turn-based strategy video games developed and published by Slitherine Software in the 2010s. The first game, BBC Battle Academy (originally Battlefield Academy), was released in 2010. The second game, Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front, was released in 2014.

Battle Academy
Cover art for the first game
Developer(s)Slitherine Software
Publisher(s)Slitherine Software
Platform(s)Windows, macOS, iOS, Xbox 360
ReleaseBBC Battle Academy
August 5, 2010 (Win)
September 6, 2011 (Mac)
March 14, 2012 (iOS)
December 12, 2014 (Xbox 360)
Battle Academy 2
September 11, 2014 (Win)
October 23, 2014 (iOS)
November 20, 2014 (Mac)
Genre(s)Turn-based strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

Battle Academy series is a pair of World War II turn-based strategy games. In the first game, the player leads the Allied forces against the Axis powers through a series of missions in three campaigns: North Africa, Battle of Normandy, and Battle of the Bulge.[1][2] The second game features four campaigns set in the Eastern Front, two played from the German side, the other two from the Soviet side.[3] Play-by-mail multiplayer is featured in both games.[4][5] Battle Academy 2 also supports co-op multiplayer.[6]

Release

Battle Academy was developed and published by Slitherine Software, a studio based in Epsom, England.[7] The first game was released on August 5, 2010, for Windows as Battlefield Academy.[4][8] It is based on a 2004 BBC browser Flash game.[8] A month after release, Electronic Arts claimed the game was infringing copyright because the name was too similar to its Battlefield series.[9][10] Slitherine was planning at the time ports and an expansion that were delayed because of the dispute.[9] Ports for Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita were planned but never released.[9] On September 6, 2011, the game was renamed to BBC Battle Academy, and a macOS port was released at the same time.[11] An iPad port was released on March 14, 2012, and an Xbox 360 port was released on December 12, 2014.[12][13] Six expansions were released as downloadable content (DLC) for the game.[3][14]

Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front was released for Windows on September 11, 2014, for iPad on October 23, 2014, and for macOS on November 20, 2014.[15][16][17] Battle of Kursk expansion was released on April 2, 2015.[18]

Reception

BBC Battle Academy

Digitally Downloaded summarized the PC/Mac version: "[...] ultimately Battle Academy is a little light for the wargame veteran, and a little complex for the casual strategy gamer, it should be reasonably fun for both groups, even if it’s not a game either would come back to six or twelve months down the track."[20]

Andrei Dumitrescu of Softpedia said that Battle Academy delivers "[...] a simple and solid set of gameplay mechanics that can be an excellent entry point for those who have not played any other titles in the genre so far [...]"[22]

Erik Carlson of Slide to Play summarized: "Battle Academy is for the hardcore strategy gamer only. The high price, high difficulty and occasional technical hiccups will dissuade many. But for those of you who are willing to take the challenge, you’ll encounter a highly engaging, absorbing and lengthy experience the likes of which has rarely been seen on iOS."[1]

Jim Cobb of Armchair General reviewed the Operation Market Garden and Blitzkrieg France expansions and gave them a rating of 88%. Cobb said that "[t]he patch and expansions make what was a nice game into something that is almost a classic."[30] In 2012, he reviewed Operation Sealion expansion and gave it a rating of 92% and said it "[...] stands out as the most challenging, innovative and enjoyable so far."[31] In 2013, he reviewed Rommel in Normandy expansion and gave it a rating of 87% and said it "[...] is the most exciting and intriguing campaign so far."[32]

In a 2020 retrospective review, Tim Stone of Rock Paper Shotgun said that the game "has aged astonishingly well" and that "[...] BA has a knack for drama that Panzer General-likes like Order of Battle and Panzer Corps lack."[33]

Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front

Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[23][24]

Tim Stone of Rock Paper Shotgun wrote in a preview: "[...] combat is certainly more interesting and more nuanced than before, but obviously if you want real detail and realism in your T-34 vs Tiger tussles (and don't mind the consequent increase in workload/confusion potential) you're far better off with a Graviteam or a Battlefront product."[34]

Rob P. of Digitally Downloaded summarized the PC version: "While it shares a significant amount of DNA with the first game, the clever maps, huge unit roster, and brilliant skirmish generator make Battle Academy 2 one of the most entertaining tactical-level wargames on the market today."

Davide Pessach of Eurogamer said that "Battle Academy 2 is a very focused wargame; perfect for anyone willing to strategize without spending hours going through text walls in a manual. The graphical quality could be off-putting, but mechanics and gameplay are top-notch and perfectly sound."[5][23]

Matt Thrower of Pocket Gamer called the game "[a] pitch perfect, pick up and play blend of strategy and accessibility, history and thrills".[26]

References
  1. Carlson, Erik (27 April 2012). "Battle Academy iPad Review". Slide to Play. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. Gebauer, Jochen (23 June 2011). "BBC Battlefield Academy im Test - Herrlich altmodische Strategie". GameStar (in German). Webedia. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  3. Baker, Patrick (7 August 2014). "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front – PC Game Preview". Armchair General. Weider History Group. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  4. "Battlefield Academy Released". IGN. Ziff Davis. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  5. Pessach, Davide (7 October 2014). "Battle Academy 2, il fronte russo per tutti - review". Eurogamer (in Italian). Gamer Network. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  6. P., Rob (14 October 2014). "Review: Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front (PC)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  7. "Slitherine Software, in Epsom, grew from a small independent company to working with the History Channel and BBC". Your Local Guardian. Newsquest. 12 October 2010. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  8. Gillen, Kieron (5 August 2010). "School is a Battlefield: Battlefield Academy". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  9. Martin, Matt (14 September 2011). "Slitherine loses "tens of thousands of dollars" in EA Battlefield dispute". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. Thompson, Mike (15 September 2011). "Battlefield Cost Publisher "Tens Of Thousands"". The Escapist. Gamurs. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  11. "Battle Academy Launches Mac Version, A Demo And A Brand New Add-On". Slitherine Software. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  12. "A TURN-BASED STRATEGY GAME LIKE NO OTHER AND IT'S ON IPAD!". Slitherine Software. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  13. "Battle Academy (Xbox 360) (2014)". Pure Xbox. Hookshot Media. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  14. "Battle Academy". Slitherine Software. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  15. "Battle Academy 2". Gamepressure. Gry-Online. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  16. Nelson, Jared (23 October 2014). "Slitherine's 'Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front' Now Available for iPad". TouchArcade. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  17. Slitherine (20 November 2014). "Battle Academy 2 opens up a new front!". Steam. Valve Corporation. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  18. "Battle of Kursk released and Battle Academy 2 Updated!". Slitherine Software. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  19. Cobb, Jim (10 July 2012). "Battle Academy on iPad – Mobile Game Review". Armchair General. Weider History Group. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  20. "Review: Battle Academy (PC/ Mac)". Digitally Downloaded. 16 September 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  21. "Review: Battle Academy (iPad)". Digitally Downloaded. 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  22. Dumitrescu, Andrei (9 May 2014). "Battle Academy Review (PC)". Softpedia. SoftNews NET SRL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  23. "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  24. "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  25. Baldo, Lorenzo (19 November 2014). "Indiegram - Recensione". IGN Italia (in Italian). Ziff Davis. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  26. Thrower, Matt (28 October 2014). "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front Review". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  27. S., Matt (7 November 2014). "Review: Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front (iPad)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  28. Connolly, Alex (7 November 2014). "Review: Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front". Pocket Tactics. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  29. Dumitrescu, Andrei (19 September 2014). "Battle Academy 2 Review (PC)". Softpedia. SoftNews NET SRL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  30. Cobb, Jim (8 November 2011). "Battle Academy Expansions – PC Game Review". Armchair General. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  31. Cobb, Jim (27 February 2012). "Battle Academy: Operation Sealion – PC Game Review". Armchair General. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  32. Cobb, Jim (9 October 2013). "Battle Academy: Rommel in Normandy – PC Game Review". Armchair General. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  33. Stone, Tim (3 July 2020). "The Flare Path: Steam Snips". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  34. Stone, Tim (25 July 2014). "The Flare Path: Attends Battle Academy 2". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
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