World In Conflict Is Revolutionary, Yet Simple
If there is one gaming question I hear the most, it's, "Does anyone ever get tired of the generic and predictable genre that is RTS?". You start; You build; You fortify; You sustain; You attack; and You win. Yes I know, this must all sound very, very familiar, considering games like Age of Empires, Warcraft, and Empire Earth are all following the same suffocated and dry formula.
This is what World in Conflict does differently...
WIC was built on a new formula centered around a pre-deployed 2 (3 in realty) faction system. In this system of play, no longer must you build up a society, or build houses to increase the population limit; in WIC, you are instantly dropped into the action. And what action it is! The explosions are impressive (the heavy artillery barrage is simply stunning), the framerate is usually solid, and most important, it is balanced. Both factions are pretty much the same though, which is in my opinion one of the game's only downsides. While they do have their visual differences (bigger or smaller heavy artillary, differently shaped vehicles and infantry), their functionalities are one in the same.
The factions in WIC are the USSR Russia, and the Unitied States of America, which leads to the setting of WIC. The singleplayer campain takes place during the late 80's when Russia decides it's not just about to give up on the global conquest it had in store all along; no indeed not, they want to spread communism like the bubonic plague on Europe. After the USSR invades most of Europe, the United States decides it's going to just stay out of the conflict all together, like the beginning of WII. But history tends to repeat itself and Russia invades the USA in a heartbeat. WIII has arrived, and you get to experience it one small town at a time. The personal feel you get from WIC's singleplayer is lacking, but still existent in the form of touching picture and video cutscenes.
WIC's inner factions are revolvant around a 4 class system. Wether you're playing as the USSR, or the USA, your teammates have 4 roles to choose from. Infantry, Armor, Air, or Support. Each depends on the other, and in order to be successful online, you have to work together almost flawlessly to be victorious, which can be quite aggravating considering team communication is limited to text (you can use a mic, but only (about )1 person per match uses one, so it's stripped of its value).
WIC is really all about the multiplayer. Online is fast and addictive: from the second you log on, you can enter a battle in 5 seconds. Making it all the better, WIC offers an impressive and simple interface, letting you create, find, and view friends in a flash. Multiplayer is also refreshing considering the computer AI is average, and a bore to play against.
Determining if WIC is for you depends on your attachment to civilization building. If you just cannot live without the glee of commanding an entire empire at the click of a mouse, then WIC is not for you. You only command a small group of troops, tanks, and/or helicopters. But this enables the player to stand out in the team as a leader, a contributor, or just a player dragging the team behind, who can then be banned.
Now get out of your basement and buy World In Conflict!
Sincerely,
Dave.
