I just picked up Silent Storm, a turn based tactics game for the PC. It's set in a WWII backdrop and features both an axis and allied campaign. If you are a fan of X-Com, Fallout Tactics and UFO:Aftermath type games, you will love this one.
Graphics - The graphics are 3D and mostly from the 3/4 to above view. You can use the mouse to spin around and adjust elevation of the camera. This game won't push the limits of your PC but the graphics are decent enough and the backgrounds and such are highly detailed. There is a great attention to detail in some of the effects. The puff of gunsmoke, brass cartridges, and most importantly, everything in the game can be damaged and destroyed if it takes enough damage. Damage remains onscreen - walls collapse, furniture shatters into splinters. Bullet holes, scorchmarks, blood trails (helpful in tracking down an escaping enemy) it's all there.
Sound - The sound effects are excellent. Gunfire, the spack of bullets hitting concrete. The voice acting is adequate and the dialogue is a bit tongue in cheek. The music is exciting and really makes the game have a cinematic feel.
Interface - You control your squad through spending each member's action points. Everything costs AP. Walking, running, shooting, etc. The interface is simple. You click on buttons that correspond with the desired action and use the mouse to designate where you want the action to take place. Movement is plotted out and the total AP for the move is shown. When out of combat, the game allows free movement until an enemy is spotted or the players chooses to go back into turn based mode.
Gameplay - If you like turn based tactics games, you will already love this game. It's challenging. Waltzing right into combat will get your squad killed quickly. The squad members can take a bit of damage before perishing and wounds effect their ability. If they are hit particularly badly, they will bleed. Bleeding must be stopped or the character will eventually succumb to their wounds.
This is a campaign based game, meaning you select your squad and venture out. Along the way, as you perform actions, your characters will notify you that they have gained experience. You can immediately go to the ability tree and select a special ability that suits their role in combat. Like other games with power trees, you had better plan early on what you want each person to specialize in and work towards that goal. Some of the powers are really neat, such as night vision.
When you down a foe, you can scavange his equipment, which conveinently spills out onto the ground as he falls. You have to have a careful eye when searching for those tiny little clips of ammo and grenades. Since the game uses ragdoll physics, if a foe dies on a hill, his equipment will scatter and roll down the hill with him. A satisfying effect after taking out an enemy who's been tearing up your men.
Buildings are multistory (including basements). You can move the depth of field up and down accordingly, and characters are smart enough to move up stairs and climb walls on their own. Click where you want your man to go and he'll get there.
You will most likely make each person in your squad specialized. Medic, sniper, soldier, engineer and heavy weapons guy. The sniper can go into snipe mode and will store AP over several turns in order to increase accuracy on a shot. You can target specific body parts for a slight reduction in accuracy. The medic has first aid kits, hemostats and more available and he will soon become your most valuable team member as wounds are a very bad thing. You troops remind you each turn, in their own unique way, that they are dying.
Along the way, you will find clues and items that lead you to your next mission. In the campaign map, you can select the next mission or simply scout out for random encounters. You can return to a home base to completely heal, get new members and resupply.
All in all, I give this game 5 out of 5!
Graphics - The graphics are 3D and mostly from the 3/4 to above view. You can use the mouse to spin around and adjust elevation of the camera. This game won't push the limits of your PC but the graphics are decent enough and the backgrounds and such are highly detailed. There is a great attention to detail in some of the effects. The puff of gunsmoke, brass cartridges, and most importantly, everything in the game can be damaged and destroyed if it takes enough damage. Damage remains onscreen - walls collapse, furniture shatters into splinters. Bullet holes, scorchmarks, blood trails (helpful in tracking down an escaping enemy) it's all there.
Sound - The sound effects are excellent. Gunfire, the spack of bullets hitting concrete. The voice acting is adequate and the dialogue is a bit tongue in cheek. The music is exciting and really makes the game have a cinematic feel.
Interface - You control your squad through spending each member's action points. Everything costs AP. Walking, running, shooting, etc. The interface is simple. You click on buttons that correspond with the desired action and use the mouse to designate where you want the action to take place. Movement is plotted out and the total AP for the move is shown. When out of combat, the game allows free movement until an enemy is spotted or the players chooses to go back into turn based mode.
Gameplay - If you like turn based tactics games, you will already love this game. It's challenging. Waltzing right into combat will get your squad killed quickly. The squad members can take a bit of damage before perishing and wounds effect their ability. If they are hit particularly badly, they will bleed. Bleeding must be stopped or the character will eventually succumb to their wounds.
This is a campaign based game, meaning you select your squad and venture out. Along the way, as you perform actions, your characters will notify you that they have gained experience. You can immediately go to the ability tree and select a special ability that suits their role in combat. Like other games with power trees, you had better plan early on what you want each person to specialize in and work towards that goal. Some of the powers are really neat, such as night vision.
When you down a foe, you can scavange his equipment, which conveinently spills out onto the ground as he falls. You have to have a careful eye when searching for those tiny little clips of ammo and grenades. Since the game uses ragdoll physics, if a foe dies on a hill, his equipment will scatter and roll down the hill with him. A satisfying effect after taking out an enemy who's been tearing up your men.
Buildings are multistory (including basements). You can move the depth of field up and down accordingly, and characters are smart enough to move up stairs and climb walls on their own. Click where you want your man to go and he'll get there.
You will most likely make each person in your squad specialized. Medic, sniper, soldier, engineer and heavy weapons guy. The sniper can go into snipe mode and will store AP over several turns in order to increase accuracy on a shot. You can target specific body parts for a slight reduction in accuracy. The medic has first aid kits, hemostats and more available and he will soon become your most valuable team member as wounds are a very bad thing. You troops remind you each turn, in their own unique way, that they are dying.
Along the way, you will find clues and items that lead you to your next mission. In the campaign map, you can select the next mission or simply scout out for random encounters. You can return to a home base to completely heal, get new members and resupply.
All in all, I give this game 5 out of 5!
