Classified: France ’44 Releasing Next Month

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I find games set during the World Wars to be fascinating, especially the ones that don’t follow the first-person shooter model. Announced last June, I’ve been excited about the new title from Absolutely Games for a while now. As a turn-based tactical title with a heavy focus on stealth, the almost X-COM-like gameplay puts you into the action as the Jedburghs in occupied France. A commandoes version of the SAS was thrown together to liaise between the D-Day forces and the guerrillas that were behind enemy lines.

The press release earlier this week had this to say, “Classified: France ‘44 is an original take on turn-based tactics that authentically captures the challenges of World War II firefights. Set deep in the heart of Nazi-occupied France, take charge of the Jedburghs: [A] group of special forces working with the Resistance. Use an extensive RPG system to build a team of skilled soldiers and experience history first-hand as you fight to define the success of D-Day.” The press release this week also gave us the release date and further details we’d previously not had.

Set to release on March the 5th, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, we know that Classified: France ’44 will have three editions. The Standard Edition gets you what you expect, the base game for the price of $34.99 (same price in pounds and Euro as well for all editions). The Deluxe Edition of Classified: France ’44 will come with the base game and the first DLC, though no word when that will release, for a couple of bucks more at $39.99. Meanwhile, the Overlord Edition (missed a trick there lads), which comes with the base game and the season pass, is available for $49.99.

Pre-orders are available, though as I’ve said before, I have trouble saying this given the release state of some games. This is what the press release had to say on pre-orders: “Pre[-]orders for all three editions of Classified: France ’44 are now live and will grant players access to the Resistance Pack at launch, with the content varying slightly depending on the platform. Preorders on Steam will be granted access to the “Shadow” and “Ghost” sets, PlayStation 5 will receive the “Blue” and “Cobalt” sets, and Xbox Series X|S will get the “Green” and “Forest” sets.“

I’m excited to see what Absolutely Games and Team17 have in store for us with the tactical stealth title. With a focus on historical authenticity, morale, an RPG system, and an “engaging and replayable campaign” with 15 different endings, it is interesting to see how Classified: France ’44 will shape up to be. Not to mention the “Classified System,” allowing players to create and share their own levels with the community. Those who do decide to pick up the Overlord Edition (couldn’t it have been called Operation Jedburgh Edition?) can actually play Classified: France ’44 a whole 5 days early, on February 29th.