Soldiers at War

Rating:
Summary: Impressed
Review: I usually stay away from SSI games. They tend to put too much into their games making the instruction book read like a Russian novel. However they behaved themselves in this game, it's addictive and fun. Each trooper has his own stats, can improve on them by getting promoted, along with an inventory that you can add to as you kill off nazis, this game is just terrific. By the end of the campaign you even become attached to some of your guys. It's a must buy for anyone who wants to fight squad to squad warfare and doesn't have the guts to join the real army.

Rating:
Summary: Impressed
Review: I usually stay away from SSI games. They tend to put too much into their games making the instruction book read like a Russian novel. However they behaved themselves in this game, it's addictive and fun. Each trooper has his own stats, can improve on them by getting promoted, along with an inventory that you can add to as you kill off nazis, this game is just terrific. By the end of the campaign you even become attached to some of your guys. It's a must buy for anyone who wants to fight squad to squad warfare and doesn't have the guts to join the real army.

Rating:
Summary: Fun and challenging
Review: This game puts you smack in the middle of a classic WWII movie, complete with a background music. At least, that's the atmosphere that the game presents, and it works really well.

You get to command a rugged team of soldiers, sent on missions ranging from recon to desperate "hold that position at all costs" standoffs. There is an extremely wide range of weapons that can be used (how many games let you use a flamethrower?), and you can even capture and use enemy weapons and tanks.

One thing I liked about this game is that your soldiers are injured far more realistically than in other games. A few shots will kill a man, so tradidional burst-in-and-shoot-everything tactics don't work. You've really got to think.

At first the turn-based gameplay bugged me, but I got hooked after a while. It forced me to plan and to seriously think about tactics, drawing me into the game on a much deeper mental level.

The graphics are pretty good, and while not up to the detailed standards of other games, will not disappoint. The cut scenes are a little corny, and, in my opinion, detract from the game.

The floating control boards have a habit of getting in the way, and take up a large portion of the screen. However, this shouldn't interfere with gameplay much.

All in all, this is a fun, entertaining, and challenging game, well worth the investment. It's not a serious recreation of war, but if you've ever wanted to be in an adventurous war movie, this is the game for you.

Rating:
Summary: Soldiers at War
Review: This is one of the best games of its kind. It allows you to use many different tactics that are normally available to you. Out of ammo, grab your enemy's weapon. Rifles too loud, use a knife. I especially like the fact that your soldiers are given promotions for their experience between the scenarios of the campaign game. Overall I think this is a great game that never plays the same way twice.