War on the edge of land and sea. Men of War: Red Tide tells the story of the Soviet naval infantry known as the “Black Pea Coats,” named after their distinctive uniform. The game’s script was written in collaboration with Alexander Zorich.

Unlike the broader front line coverage of Men of War, Red Tide focuses on a single military historical line: the path of the Black Pea Coats from early defensive battles to offensive amphibious operations. The narrative centers on collective heroism, desperate courage, and prolonged defense of coastal positions under overwhelming enemy fire.

The game includes six campaigns, each dedicated to one of six historical battles or landing operations between 1941 and 1945. The first campaign begins in August 1941 near Odesa, where the city faced isolation and a prolonged siege by Romanian forces. Players then progress through the defense of Sevastopol, the Kerch Feodosia landing operation, the battle for Kuban, the liberation of Novorossiysk, and other major wartime episodes.

At its core, Red Tide follows the gameplay established by Men of War while expanding it with naval warfare elements. Many of the 23 missions revolve around sea and river landings: troops disembark from boats under fire, gunboats support coastal advances, and naval artillery covers the assault. The focus is on coastal battles, holding beachheads, and coordination between ground forces and the fleet.