(2.2GHz in Windows Vista), 512MB RAM (1GB in Windows Vista), 9GB hard drive space, 128MB videocard MULTIPLAYER: 2-16 players
Review: Of the many grand “what if?” scenarios of history, perhaps none captures the popular consciousness more than “what if socialism hadn’t failed?” Two of the most enduringly popular alternate-history fantasies (or nightmares, depending) are those in which either national or just plain ol’ socialism continues to exist and thrive. Philip K. Dick’s novel The Man in the High Castle is the most interesting take on the “Nazis win” version. But it may surprise some people to find that a computer game—namely Massive Entertainment’s new World in Conflict— features the most compelling exploration of the “Commies win” (or, more accurately, “Commiesdon’t- go-down-without-a-fight”) scenario.
WOLVERINES!Like any good epic, WIC starts in medias res— circa 1989. Rather than allow perestroika to turn
it into a capitalist society, the U.S.S.R. decides not to go gently into that good market economy.
Without warning, a Red Army blitzkrieg (into Germany, appropriately) sends Europe reeling
like it hooked a 20-pound bass. U.S. forces scramble to help, but no sooner do they secure
the European front than the Russians get all Pearl Harbor on downtown Seattle. Lt. Parker—your alter ego—straps on his M4 Carbine and jumps into the defense of the Pacific Northwest.
Of course, it’s not called World in Conflict for nothing. Once you’re done making sure the grunge movement goes off without a hitch, the game transports you to France, Germany, Russia, and finally New York City. Along for the ride is a cast of eminently relatable (if a tad clichéd) supporting characters…and a surprisingly compelling, John Milius–worthy plot. Pair strong
storytelling with topographically realistic terrain, destructible buildings, and weather and weapon effects worthy of ILM, and you’ve got yourself an honest-to-goodness cinematic experience.
GLOBAL THERMONUCLEAR WAR
Still, all the nifty graphical effects in the world won’t get a game anywhere without compelling gameplay, and WIC’s got one of the most innovative RTS models since M.U.L.E. Evolved from the highly regarded Ground Control series, WIC does away with the standard whip-the-peons resource accruement regime, instead providing you with an ever-recharging pool of logistical “points” with which you simply buy units. If your boys get pureed, you get their initial cost reimbursed to your pool. No tech tree, no production cycles, no rock-paper-scissors unit breakdowns—you just buy what you think you need and go at it. more...>
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