World in Conflict - possibly the best strategy game ever? (World in Conflict (PC))

Member Name: ecolier

Product:	World in Conflict (PC)
Date:	05/10/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent graphics, Good gameplay, Nicely balanced units

Disadvantages: Limited units per game, No chance for "world domination" like other games

World in Conflict (WiC) is a real time strategy / tactical game. I am reviewing it for the PC but there are also console versions available too. This game has graphics so good that in recent years authors and editors of computer reviewing magazines have used it as a benchmarks for performance. So it has looks, but is it actually a good game... read on!

--- the BASICS ----

WiC is set in an alternative world in 1989, when the collapsing USSR decided to launch an assault against the USA.

The game very much hinges on control points - which are areas in the map which is highlighted by a circle. When a player moves their unit into the area, the circle turns into their colour (green = player, blue = allies of player, red = enemy / allies of enemy). Depending on the time of occupation fortications are built around the control points.

There are 2 main modes of the game - campaign and multiplayer. In the campaign, the player will then play as the USA as they try to repel the Russians from their land. In the multiplayer setting, the player can choose maps and play against either online opponents or bots (so offline play is possible).

--- the CAMPAIGN --- (!!SPOILERS!!)

The story starts as USSR launchs an amphibious assualt in Seattle in the West Coast of the USA. In the first game, the player controls a few units as the city is evacuated. As the storyline moves on it transpires that the Russians have the upper hand and the player is forced to retreat back East. A major turning point of the campaign is reached when the Russians decided they wanted to find out what secret a place called Cascade Falls holds. They were decisively beaten at this battle (want to know how? play the game!) and was forced to retreat west.
At this point the campaign flashes back to a few months ago when the World of Europe was raging on. The USSR has invaded the south of France and it is the player's job to win it back. There are then 2 further games played in northern Europe - the first one in Norway when the player is asked to retrieve documents from a crashed plane, and the second actually in Russian territory where 3 submarines, bound for the USA, are the player's job to be destroyed.
We then flashes forward and move back to USA, now in the East Coast and New York when the player is asked to force the USSR forces conquering the islands near the Statue of Liberty.
Finally we move back to the present and to our original objective of forcing the USSR back where they came from. In addition to the USSR the USA also have to stop the Chinese (an ally of the USSR) from landing on American soil. Eventually of course, the Americans win the day as they always do.

--- the MULTIPLAYER ---

The multiplayer maps are many and varied. There are 3 main modes - assault, domination and tug-of-war, depending on the map selective.
In assault, the player is given 10 minutes to attack or defend - depending on your team. There are usually 5 control points (see above) for the player to attack / enemy to defend, within 10 minutes (can be set longer or shorter). There is then a second game when the roles are reversed - the player now defend the control points they captured in the first game. If they manage this they will win the game.
In domination, there are various control points spread around the map and the players will to gain control of them. Depending on the number of points they control a meter on the top of the map moves towards USSR or USA. When the meter reaches the end of either side they will have said to have the match.
In tug-of-war, there is a frontline for the player to control - once they have captured it a new frontline will be available. There are 3 of these lines, and when they have all been taken - the game is the player's.

The multiplayer offers endless possbilities and there are additional maps for avid gamers to download over the internet. In order to practise the player can also choose to play with bots - which are artificial intelligence and acts as a sort of a computer opponent against the player.

--- the UNITS ---

The units are divided into 4 groups - support, air, armour and infantry. They are all nicely balanced - just like rocks, papers and scissors. One player will not be able to win a game by themselves.
The support consists of anti-air units, ground bombardment and artillery vehicles.
The air units is self explanatory and include heavy helicopters to scout helicopters.
The armour is the most important aspect of the game as players who play this role controls the tanks.
The infantry has also important units like anti-tank, snipers, troop transport etc.

Units are the same for USA and USSR except for design, naming and the special abilities.

--- the MAPS ---

The maps include places like Berlin, New York, Seattle, France (Vineyard), Norway, Murmansk, rural USA (Cascade Falls) etc. There are cities and countryside. All scenaries are destructible.

--- CONCLUSION ---

World in Conflict is simply an outstanding game. It is truly exceptional. It is no mistake that even after 2 years the community is vibrant and the multiplayer scene is as busy as ever. The game not only have good graphics but extremely viable gameplay too. Given that the game has also released an expansion pack (World in Conflict: Soviet Assault) with the ability to play as the Soviets in March 2009 (which I will be reviewing in due course) there is every chance this game will last for many years to come. It is definitely a game I would recommend and in my opinion fits into the legendary category!

Summary: An excellent game which will last many years!