I just played a demo of a newish game, World in Conflict. On Wikipedia it’s classified as a “real time tactical game” – that is, rather than the grand overview of the real time strategy game, you control a smaller group of troops, and are yourself under the command of a higher-level officer. This also means cooperating with other parts of the force, and having to fulfill ever-changing objectives. It also means gaining complete control over the special abilities of each unit, which does take quite a bit of time. An option to tell a vehicle to “stand ground and fire TOWs as needed” could be nice. Maybe it’s in the retail version.

It is set in 1989, and depicts the other course the Soviet Union could have taken – invading West Germany and the United States with force, instead of breaking down into little pieces. The setting is great, with the mission offered in the demo making use of the then-new HMMWV and the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, both quite recognizable from the first gulf war, and beautifully modeled.

The game seems to be really great, and has quite superior graphics. The battlefield starts out looking clean and nice, perhaps a little lacking in civilian activity, but is quickly pocked with craters and filled with the wrecks of fighting vehicles and buildings. The camera controls are a little strange at first, but they really allow you a good view of the superior graphics, even if it doesn’t allow a great overview.

I think I shall have to get this game.