The Proud and the Few Review: How The US Marines Won World War 2

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One Of The Best Wargames To Play In 2025

For those who’ve served in the Marine Corps, this topic is very meaningful. As someone who hasn’t, I want to explain why the culture and history of the Marines are so important, and how this game – The Proud and the Few, a classic from Wargame Design Studio recently updated – captures that well.

Growing up, the first military recruiter who really caught my attention was a Marine – those old commercials with the dragons were awesome, and the uniforms just looked so sharp. I ended up joining the Army, but that first impression stuck with me. Before I even started working on this review, I dove deep into learning about the Pacific Theater. I basically went to school on WWII naval history, watching lectures by Dr. Craig Symonds and reading a ton of books. I’m talking classics like the biography of Chesty Puller, Robert Leckie’s memoir, and accounts of the brutal fighting on Okinawa. I even wanted to get a full picture, so I read books offering the Japanese perspective, like the story of Hiroo Onoda and another personal account. I wanted to make sure I really understood the weight of everything I was reviewing.

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  • Genre: Wargame | Historical Strategy | Tactical-Level Strategy
  • Developer: Wargame Design Studio
  • Publisher: Wargame Design Studio
  • Price: $$39.95
  • Release Date: 1 March , 2002 (Massive Update in April, 2025)
  • Reviewer: Chris Irwin (PC)
  • Target Audience: Wargamers, History buffs, World War 2 buffs, tactical-level strategy fans.
  • Final Score: 10/10

You might wonder why I’m reviewing a game that’s over 20 years old, or think it’s only for players who’ve been with the John Tiller/WDS series for years. But I’m coming at this as someone new to these games, not an experienced wargamer. Wargame Design Studio (WDS) is trying to attract a new, younger audience who may not be familiar with older-style board games. This review is for those new players, and I’ll explain why this big update is worth buying.

The 4.03.3 update isn’t just a small fix – it’s a full-scale overhaul of the game. And it’s impressive, offering a huge amount of content with 72 scenarios and two full campaigns. I didn’t have time to play every mission for this review, but I played enough to get a good feel for the gameplay and the completely redesigned AI.

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As a gamer who loves a bit of history, this game is amazing! It’s absolutely loaded with detailed maps and tons of historical info. I’m talking about deep dives into stuff like the Edson’s Raiders battle and really thorough explanations of how they planned the 1943 Tarawa invasion. It’s not just gameplay; it’s like getting a history lesson alongside the action!

The game is remarkably accurate to history. Weapons, like the M1903A3 favored by Chesty Puller and the Japanese LMG T11, are recreated with great detail. Importantly, the landscapes are based on real maps, helping players understand what soldiers experienced during those battles.

The portrayal of the Battle of Tarawa is particularly well done. This incredibly fierce battle saw Marines landing in boats that became stuck due to unusually low tides, leaving them vulnerable to enemy fire. The game accurately recreates this difficult situation, forcing players to manage their troops under attack while trapped on the beach – a direct result of those unexpectedly low tides.

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During World War II’s Pacific campaign, the Army and Marine Corps had very different strategies, a disagreement often highlighted by the contrasting views of Generals Ralph C. Smith (Army) and Holland M. Smith (Marines). General Ralph Smith and the Army preferred a cautious, planned approach to minimize losses. The Marines, led by General Holland Smith, advocated for a much more aggressive, rapid advance, believing a quick victory would ultimately save lives by avoiding a long, drawn-out conflict.

The game designers cleverly put players in difficult situations with limited time and strategically placed objectives. You’re constantly under attack, facing a relentless Japanese Imperial Army. As Sledge describes during basic training, they were warned that close-quarters combat with Japanese soldiers would be far more brutal than fighting German forces.

Hiroshi’s story details the brutal training and conditioning soldiers endured to become a fiercely devoted army. Their combat skills were unparalleled in Asia, possibly only rivaled by the U.S. Marines. The game accurately captures the immense difficulty they presented as opponents.

I was so excited to hear the Project Manager talk about the changes they’re making in this remaster! One of the biggest things they’ve improved is the artillery system. Now, as a commander, you actually have to spot targets and coordinate where the bombs land – it’s way more involved. And it’s not just artillery; even mortars, like the M2 60mm, need a clear line of sight to hit their targets accurately. It sounds like they’re really making you earn those bombardments!

If you’re new to turn-based strategy games like wargames, this game’s combat feels similar to commanding small teams, much like in the game Full Spectrum Warrior. You control groups of 14 or more soldiers, and success depends on keeping their spirits up, staying hidden, and using covering fire. Instead of simply destroying the enemy, you aim to wear them down until they can’t fight back. To capture a territory, you need to attack only after the enemy defending it has been weakened. The game uses dice rolls to show how unpredictable real battles are—shots don’t always hit—so you’ll need to use smart military tactics instead of relying on powerful, unstoppable units.

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Players familiar with the older John Tiller games will immediately notice the biggest improvement: the AI. Thanks to the work of David Freer and Rich Hamilton, the AI is now much more challenging and realistic. While it’s not perfect—sometimes units can get stuck, especially when playing as certain factions—the WDS team is constantly testing and improving it to make it more adaptable and unpredictable. It’s rare to see this level of dedication to refining a game that’s been around for twenty years.

Finally, let’s discuss the game’s visuals. This isn’t just a simple remaster with small changes; the WDS team created completely new and beautiful graphics. The 2D and 3D art are now polished and really stand out – they’re a major improvement. The authentic Japanese music also adds to the immersive atmosphere. And WDS plans to keep improving things with future updates, including redesigned map terrain and more realistic tank and infantry models. It looks fantastic now, and it’s only going to get better!

Final Verdict and Score

10/10

In conclusion, The Proud and the Few is a must-play for anyone interested in World War 2 strategy games, especially those who enjoy tactical gameplay. It’s a true classic that remains enjoyable today thanks to its solid mechanics, extensive gameplay, and ongoing support from Wargame Design Studio. Despite its age, it’s still one of the best World War 2 wargames available – a benchmark for the genre and easily a 10/10 game. It’s a personal favorite of mine and I highly recommend it.

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2025-11-18 17:44