Ok, I love the visuals, like the treatment, it's a great game. Now is there any way to make it any less brutally hard?!?

I am still stuck on the first map

Some tips:
- Play on "Easy" difficulty.
- Think tactically; don't run in with guns blazing.
- If you're using a tank, learn when to use different kinds of ammo - AP against other tanks, HP against lighter vehicles and personel, mgun agains soldiers.
- When using tanks, always check for a repair kit. Use it whenever needed. Don't forget to check the fuel level too.
- Use direct control/targeting when firing. Direct control is much more precise and accurate than AI control.

I do play on the easy level. I am stuck at the depot on the hill. I lost the (gun car), but not the soilders. I use direct control, but I seem to be too slow or something.

Play it coop. 3-4 players make it quite a bit easier since you don't have to deal with everything yourself. And the more strategy-friendly players can do it as a RTS and the action-friendly players can play it as an action game with direct control, so it should be easier to convince everyone you know to play it with you :)

Try to draw out enemy soldiers first and gun them down with the tank's machinegun. Enemy infantry are very dangerous because many of them carry sticky grenades that can disable your tank in one blast. After taking care of the footsoldiers, try to disable an enemy tank and gun down the enemy tank crew when they are fleeing for their lives. Hopefully, if the enemy tank isn't too damaged, you can fix it with your repair kit and gain another tank in the process!

I think you can change the game speed by pressing Backspace.

Just got the game and started to play. I have played the first mission a few times, but I finally beat it (on easy of course).
However, the second mission is crazy hard even on easy. I wish they had a winnie level as that is what I need.
The game is very unforgiving and requires you to do a lot of things in the heat of battle.
Does anyone have any tips on how to survive and do well in this game?
Also, is there a way to check what you are suppose to do in a map other than run around and kill stuff and try not to die?
Oh, fun game (if not completely frustrating) and the graphics are great!
Thanks for any help you can provide.

I'm trying to figure out what makes this game fun to people. Not a good sign...
I'm working on the 3rd mission and I haven't had fun yet.

I guess it's very subjective... I have not only found it to be lots of fun, as I don't think it's that hard.
For me, it's one of the best games I've played... the attention to detail is staggering.

Haha, if you think the first Russian missions are hard, try going onto the British!
I went stright from training to the British campaign (Being a patriotic sort of chap), currently I'm on the 4th British mission on medium difficulty.
I'm actually loving it! It reminds me of that Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, but , more fun as the AI is far better. And like C:BEL the attention to detail is fantastic!
Only one gripe though, is there a mod to change the ammo? I hate the way all SMGs use the same ammo! StG44 / Thompson / MP40 all use the same ammo which is drastically wrong, considering everything else is bang on...
My tip: Ambush! Such as hiding a bren-gunner in a bush then using a SMG soldier to lure them out, only to have the bren-gunner jump up behind a wall and mow them down!
Still need people playing online though.

Arggg! The difficulty is insane. I'm going to give this game a chance, but I already regret getting it. It's time to dig up an FAQ or something. I've tried the first mission three or four times, with no success. Clearly, I'm doing it wrong.
The game is very good looking, and the attention to detail is fantastic. I just wish it was more noob-friendly.

You can't blame them really. They're used to Command and Conquer/Starcraft rushfests with a paper/scissors/rock unit mechanic that lets a tank chew through infantry simply because it's a tank.
I was going to write tips in this thread, but I had so many I made a new one. Suffice to say that infantry are much more versatile than tanks in this game.

Tips:
- Start to think like a real soldier and, first of all, protect yourself.
- Use cover, get inside buildings, save ammo and scavenge for amunition and more powerful weapons.
- Always look for AT grenades and a good sniper rifle inside deaths inventory.
- Play tactical, this game is not a shooter.
- If u are using a soldier, move with point and click like RTS and shoot using "control" key.
- If u are using a Tank, use full direct control. Use cover too for tanks.
- Play stealth and prepare ambushes, always you'll be outnumbered.
- In order to beat enemy tank fast, look for a clear shoot on tank´s rear.
- Use all resourses u have. AT and AP mines are very useful if u want to have time to organize your troops.
- Play campaings in coop mode, it´s simply amazing.
This game worth all the time you expend learning how to play and more.