Iron Harvest: Operation Eagle
By Matt Cabral,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Violent strategy expansion strengthens alt-history universe.
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Iron Harvest: Operation Eagle
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What’s It About?
IRON HARVEST: OPERATION EAGLE is an expansion that builds on Iron Harvest 1920+'s dieselpunk, alternate history universe. Like the original game, its fictional set-up sees mech-like war-machines battling it out in a post-WWI timeline. Operation Eagle introduces a new, America-based force dubbed "Usonia," adding to the world's existing Rusviet, Polania, and Saxony factions. The lengthy campaign sees Usonia at war in new Alaskan and Arabian territories, where they bring fresh heroes, units, and weapons -- including airships -- to the fight. Operation Eagle spins a standalone story, but its numerous connections to the base game make it better enjoyed as a compliment and continuation to the original title.
Is It Any Good?
Last year's strategy title in this franchise used its absorbing story, setting, and dieselpunk style to help it stand out from the pack. The Iron Harvest: Operation Eagle expansion smartly builds on this template, doubling-down on what made its predecessor a favorite among genre fans, while adding some interesting ways to bring the pain. Its new American "Usonia" faction introduces fresh units, mechs, and heroes, including a square-jawed solider in an exo-skeleton suit that could make Tony Stark envious. The biggest addition, though, are airships, which rain death from above with mixed results. These airborne beasts are a sight to behold and a blast to unleash on enemy forces, but they also significantly change up the game's core, ground-based battle dynamic, so your mileage may vary in terms of how much you appreciate their inclusion.
Even if you don't embrace these cloud-eclipsing additions, you'll still be pulled into Operation Eagle's engaging setting and story. Best enjoyed as a compliment to the base game's tale -- although you can play it as a standalone -- the narrative is brought to life by fantastic cutscenes, characters, and an incredibly fleshed-out alt-history world. It doesn't hurt that brand new battlefields in Alaska and Arabia offer fresh takes on the fictional universe introduced in the first game. If Iron Harvest didn't draw you in the first time, its expansion won't miraculously make you love its mech-based melees. But if you're an existing Rusviet, Polania, or Saxony sympathizer, you'll love diving back into the dieselpunk fray.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the game's depiction of the American-inspired forces. How are the Usonia like or unlike the American military? What are their motivations? Are they depicted as good guys or villains?
How does the game portray real-world settings? How does the game's alternative history change these areas? Is it okay to take liberties in portraying a place and its culture for entertainment purposes?
Game Details
- Platform: Windows
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Deep Silver
- Release date: May 27, 2021
- Genre: Strategy
- Topics: Adventures
- ESRB rating: NR for No Descriptions
- Last updated: January 5, 2022
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