Handmark has announced that they are developing a new RTS game called warfare. The graphics look great. It is a shame I don't really like strategy games. More info can be found here.
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RTS : Real-Time Strategy. As the name implies, everything happens at once, and the fastest person to click usually gets a huge advantage. Warcraft, Starcraft, Command&Conquer and Total Annihilation are good examples.
TBS : every player gets a turn (some games put a time limit on each turn). Some TBS use simultaneous turns (both players play at the same time, then actions of both players are resolved), others are linear (one player plays after the other). Good examples of TBS are Risk, Heroes of Might and Magic, Civilization, UFO...
Generally, TBS are seen as more "strategic" (as reflexes don't play a big part), while RTS are seen as more "fun".
I've just run through the demo for Warfare and have some quick thoughts on it. Presentation:
The game presentation is nice, with information transmitted to you in the game via emails from your company. The movable base was a nice touch, unfortunately once deployed it was permanent.
Graphics:
Really nice detail and animation on the units and buidlings. The environments were pretty good too. Seems to be a bit more detailed than Argentum, if my memory serves me right.
Sound:
Good sound, some explosion sound a bit tinny, but that is probably just the Axim's speaker. Voices from your units acknowledge your orders, but can a tiresome/repetative.
Gameplay:
The second level of the demo was different from the usual setup base and destroy everything, but turned out to be too easy. The AI is disappointing. Your units will only attack when shot at and if they are ordered to destroy a structure, they will stop when it is destroyed, even when surrounded by other buildings/target. Enemy AI will also ignore you attacking their base, provided you just stay out of their range. The biggest flaw is the inability to create battle units like in Argentum, you are constantly having to reselect your groups.
Overall:
6.5/10 - some good concepts and graphics, but lacking in the AI and unit groupings. Was hoping for something that was more than Argentum.
Hehe...I like this game! Handamark owes me a game and I am glad I didn't get Scrabble or Monopoly yet ;). Warfare is $29.99, which is a fair price, but I am so broke right now it's not even funny.
I agree with the Captain about the sounds. They can get repetitive, but I know AOE is like that as is Argentum (if I remember correctly). Unfortunately it's just one of those litte annoyances we have to live with.
AI? Well, yeah, they could kick thinks up a notch, but I can live with it as it is.
The graphics are excellent! Another nice feature is that you can play the game in portrait or landscape mode.
When you start the game, you get a little background story to read and a short tutorial to go thru. This is kind of nice because there are a lot of different buildings/vehicles.
I think AOE is going will be getting some much needed rest :)