World in Conflict (PC)

In this Cold War-turned-hot-RTS, it's the multiplayer that saves the day.
1/31/2008 12:00 AM | 0 Comments | Page 2 of 2

Teamwork is absolutely essential in World in Conflict. The player that decides to be the loner usually gets picked off quickly -- proper coordination is crucial to team success. The matches don't last too long, which places further emphasis on working together and is another boon to the game -- it's easy to hop in and play a 30-minute match and not have to dedicate two hours at a time.

With such a tension-filled multiplayer design, hopping into a random game can lead to some frustrations, because with its unrelenting pace you're bound to run into some unforgiving players. If you make a mistake, rest assured that your teammates will let you know -- repeatedly. Thankfully, you can also form clans or use a friend list, which is by far the best way to enjoy the game if you're not one who enjoys being yelled at by impatient teammates.

World in Conflict is not for those who like their real-time strategy played at a leisurely pace; the game moves at a breakneck speed, and a speed setting would have been appreciated for those who simply need a little extra time to think things through, because you are constantly on the go -- moving units, calling in air strikes, and so on.

As the multiplayer game is demanding, you'll need a high-end PC to get the most out of the presentation. World in Conflict is the best-looking strategy game on the market. From the destructible landscapes to the spectacular explosions from an air strike or artillery barrage, it is a jaw-dropping spectacle, but seeing the game as it was intended to be seen demands pretty beefy rig. The minimum specs simply won't cut it here. While the game will run on as little as a single core 2.4 GHz machine with a good video card, you won't be able to turn on all of its bells and whistles, and this is the sort of game you want to see in all its intended graphical glory.

In the end, World in Conflict is a game for the real-time strategy junkie. It's not intended for new players or those who like to stop and smell the roses, or even those who are after a deep and rewarding single-player campaign. It's for speed demons that live to play multiplayer matches in short, exciting bursts. If that's your bag, your ship has officially come in.

This review is based on a retail copy of the game purchased by Crispy Gamer.