One of the best RTS games to hit the market in years. A step above and beyond the typical RTS, making tactics matter.
Gameplay: 9/10
The days of the tank rush from Comand and Conquer are gone. No more just zerging the enemy base, try it here, and you will more than likely lose early, and often. You'll have to exercise some tactics is you really want to accomplish things. Move units around, fire from cover, know when it's time to pull up stakes and retreat. The AI is extremely solid, and will find your weakpoints, and take advantage of your mistakes. After so many of the same style RTS's in the past, it does take some time to get used to it, to find out when and what you should be upgrading, and what will give you the best benefit.
Graphics: 10/10
Okay, I've got a newer system, so I can turn everything up, and it look fabulous. However, the detail, and the ability to use surroundings to your advantage is new. Blow up a building, and then use the rubble for your infantry to get behind, and provide them with cover. See a blown up tank, and do the same. If it's there, odds are it can have some effect in the game, that you can take advantage of.
Sound: 9/10
The sounds of the airstrikes are great, hearing the howitzers or PAK-38's roar is outstanding, and hearing your troops barking out orders. Although I do wish they had a few more things they say, and be aware, they can give it loud and dirty to make the grunts understand it !
Value: 10/10
On the whole, very solid. The single player campaign is shaping up to be fairly solid so far, but Multiplayer by far is what attracts me to the game. I would have really liked to have a "Risk" mode that some other RTS's seem to have, although enough pieces are in place that it could happen in an expansion. I certainly wont take away too much for it not having it.
Tilt: 9/10
Best RTS I've picked up in a few years, enough innovations to make it worth the while, and a relief that tactics matters, which is more what I'd expect from a Total War type game, as opposed to this style. I'd have liked to have seen another faction, or a German campaign, but again, I'm sure we could easily see the Russian Front as an expansion. A few things I would have liked, but the good is tremendously good, and makes me almost forget those other things that I might wish.
I think this game might hold a little more value for folks who want a little more complexity, and focus on tactics than those who want the standard RTS fare.