Setting and Narrative Premise

Set in 1930s Birmingham, England, the game casts players as Alisa, a grieving widow seeking vengeance for her murdered gangster husband. The narrative follows a revenge story in 1930s Birmingham, England, where players battle criminal elements.

Core Combat Mechanics and Lethal Design

Combat in Cohen 1939 emphasizes split-second positioning, tactical timing, and immediate consequences. According to official gameplay descriptions, the title discards traditional health bars in favor of an instant-kill system where both the player and enemies fall from a single hit. Every encounter requires careful route planning, spatial awareness, and deliberate control over attack sequencing.

To maintain aggressive momentum, the developers deliberately streamlined traditional reload interruptions. Players who fire empty chambers can hurl their weapons directly at enemies or scavenge rival equipment mid-combat to turn the tide. The arsenal includes baseball bats, firearms, grenades, and brutal close-quarters melee attacks, each offering distinct handling characteristics.

Playable Characters and Progression Systems

Beyond Alisa, the game features three additional playable characters, bringing the total roster to four distinct figures. Each character possesses unique abilities tailored to different playstyles, including sliding shots, focus time, raven summoning, and a berserk mode.

Completion rewards and high-rating performance badges allow players to visit their base of operations to unlock new weapons, firearm attachments, and skill upgrades.