Item: This War of Mine: Stories
Rating: 82
Author: Dinsun

Our Expert Score

82/100

This War of Mine: Stories is a poignant, standalone expansion that trade's the original's sandbox survival for a more focused, narrative-driven experience. In the first episode, 'Father’s Promise,' you step into the shoes of Adam, a father desperately trying to shield his daughter from the brutal realities of a city under siege. The transition to a scripted story changes the vibe significantly; while the resource management and base-building remain, they take a backseat to the unfolding drama. This makes the game more accessible for those who found the original too punishing, but it might feel a bit restrictive for veterans.

The emotional weight is as heavy as ever, bolstered by a script based on Polish author Łukasz Orbitowski's audio drama. The moral ambiguity of your choices—whether to help a neighbor or save your last scrap of food—remains the series' hallmark. Visually, the game maintains its striking charcoal-sketch aesthetic, now enhanced with new locations and remastered assets. While some might miss the endless replayability of the base game, 'Stories' succeeds in delivering a gut-wrenching, cinematic look at the human cost of war that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Dinsun reviewed on: Tue May 14 2024

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1402080820

$2.99 18+★4.4 247 reviews

Author : 11 bit studios s.a.

Pubish Date : Tue Mar 26 2019

Last Update Date : Thu Dec 18 2025

Support Languages : English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish

Genres :

Version 1.1.0Thu Dec 18 2025

What’s New
Improved overall performance for smoother gameplay
Optimized the game for better stability and responsiveness
Adjusted screen resolutions to better support different displays
Updated compatibility to support the latest devices, including new iPhone models (e.g. iPhone 17)
This War of Mine: Stories - Father's Promise
Original This War of Mine, one of the most successful indie titles of the last decade, provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle - that of civilians. Father's Promise is a standalone story-driven tale set in the universe of the original game.
It tells a story of family's struggle to preserve the last pieces of humanity in times of despair and cruelty. Become Adam - a father trying to save his daughter from the horrors of war and escape the besieged city. Follow their steps and discover a story of love, hate and sacrifice - the emotions we all share in the darkest of days.
The Father's Promise features:
- A harrowing storyline based on an audio-drama by famous Polish author, Łukasz Orbitowski
- Emotionally difficult experience - decisions that are often morally ambiguous
- Crafting, cooking, taking care of people - anything that helps to survive
- Locations exclusively made for this standalone expansion
- Remastered and enhanced visuals from the original This War of Mine
Requires iOS 12.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
This War of Mine: Stories - Father's Promise
Original This War of Mine, one of the most successful indie titles of the last decade, provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle - that of civilians. Father's Promise is a standalone story-driven tale set in the universe of the original game.
It tells a story of family's struggle to preserve the last pieces of humanity in times of despair and cruelty. Become Adam - a father trying to save his daughter from the horrors of war and escape the besieged city. Follow their steps and discover a story of love, hate and sacrifice - the emotions we all share in the darkest of days.
The Father's Promise features:
- A harrowing storyline based on an audio-drama by famous Polish author, Łukasz Orbitowski
- Emotionally difficult experience - decisions that are often morally ambiguous
- Crafting, cooking, taking care of people - anything that helps to survive
- Locations exclusively made for this standalone expansion
- Remastered and enhanced visuals from the original This War of Mine

Ratings & Reviews

4.4 out of 5 with 247 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 18+

This War of Mine: Stories - Father's Promise is a standalone narrative expansion of the critically acclaimed survival game. It follows the journey of Adam, a father trying to save his daughter from the horrors of war and escape a city under siege. Unlike the original sandbox experience, Stories offers a focused, scripted plot with unique locations and moral dilemmas. Players must still manage resources, craft essential items, and make difficult choices, but every action serves a deeply personal and harrowing storyline centered on love, sacrifice, and the struggle to remain human in the darkest of times.

Features

Heart-wrenching narrative based on professional literature

Moral choices with heavy emotional consequences

Remastered and enhanced visuals

Standalone experience requiring no prior knowledge

Tips

Managing Grief and Hunger

In the early days, focus on keeping Adam fed and maintaining the shelter. Unlike the base game, certain events are triggered by interacting with specific story items (like the bed or the radio) rather than just surviving the night.

Promotion Videos

This War of Mine: Stories - The Last Broadcast | Official Launch Trailer - YouTube

News on this game

This War Of Mine – Forget Celebrations Reveals Release Date

The DLC will be released on December 11, 2024, and all of the proceeds will go to War Child, Amnesty International, Liberty Ukraine, and Indie Games Poland...

Bleeding Cool News Wed Jan 29 2025

The Alters review: A second chance to be a better you

11 Bit Studios has done it again, bringing us a superb blend of resource management and existentialism.

Shacknews Tue Jul 29 2025

The Alters: Many hands make hard work for Jan Dolski and his clone crew

11 Bit Studios discusses making numerous clones of Jan Dolski in The Alters and how they're adding narrative depth and an eclectic mix of...

Epic Games Tue Apr 29 2025

11 bit studios expects its net revenue from The Thaumaturge to be below $11.6 million within six months of launch

11 bit studios has released its financial report for the first half of 2024. The Polish developer expects strong launches of Frostpunk 2 and The Alters.

Game World Observer Tue Oct 29 2024

11 bit studios inks a deal with Microsoft for new Xbox Game Pass additions

11 bit studios, the Polish studio behind the hit PC strategy game Frostpunk, has announced a deal with Microsoft that will bring select...

Windows Central Tue Aug 29 2023

This War of Mine: The Little Ones Review

Marko returns from his scavenging expedition at a quiet house in the northern part of town that was owned by an elderly couple. He knows that he left them...

www.well-played.com.au Tue May 29 2018

Frostpunk 2 and The Alters composer announced

11 bit studios has announced that Piotr Musiał will be returning for composer duties for Frostpunk 2, but also The Alters.

GodisaGeek.com Mon Jul 29 2024

'The Alters' Suffers Another Delay, Now Set For Sometime Later In 2025

Originally planned for 2024, delayed until Q1 2025, Polish developer 11 bit studios has now pushed The Alters until somewhere later in 2025.

Worthplaying Sat Mar 29 2025

Poland’s thriving video game industry is ready to step out of CD Projekt’s shadow

By Marcin Lewandowski. Cyberpunk 2077 was supposed to change the market. Eight years in the making, repeatedly delayed, the game was...

Notes From Poland Mon Mar 01 2021

18 Biggest New Simulation Games of 2018 & Beyond

18. Tropico 6 Developer: Limbic Entertainment Publisher: Kalypso Media Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1 Release Date: TBA 2018

Cultured Vultures Thu Mar 29 2018

Gameplays

Narrative Survival

Players navigate 2D side-scrolling environments, scavenging for supplies and interacting with NPCs. The gameplay loop involves fortifying your home during the day and exploring dangerous, story-specific locations under the cover of night.