Addictive and polished macro-focused RTS
I have clocked in over 100 hours of the game already, mostly during the open betas earlier in the year. So I would like to think I have a decent idea of what the game is like. This review will be multiplayer-focused, because that is what I play the game for.
Firstly, some notable aspects of RUSE. Compared to most games in the genre, it has huge maps. Add to that the fact that units move quite slowly, and you have a fairly leisurely RTS, at least until things start heating up. This is certainly a macro focused game, and was designed as such. However, like in any RTS, good micro skills are a big help. Unit control is straight-forward. Click to move, no special abilities to activate. You cannot even easily choose the facing of units, although it rarely matters.
The namesake of the game, RUSE cards, are useful, but not as innovative or practical as they could be. There are deception RUSE's such as building decoy structures and sending dummy units onto the battlefield, but in the end these have limited usefulness. Then there are two RUSE's which are nearly unusable, reverted intel and and decryption. These are rarely - if ever- used in competitive multiplayer. The most common and practical RUSE cards end up being simple buffs/debuffs, such as speeding up your units or making them fight to the death instead of routing. It is disappointing that this part of the game isn't as interesting as it made out to be.
However, RUSE is at its core a solid RTS in its own right. Well balanced factions; a diverse array of armored-, infantry- and air-based units; and an emphasis on reconnaissance and countering. A couple AT guns can take out streams of lighter tanks, and a swarm of infantry can get pounded by a single medium tank. Infantry hiding in forests and cities can ambush and annihilate nearly any unit in the game, providing they can get close enough. Choosing and positioning the right counters is crucial. The overall feeling of the game is very slick and enjoyable, and there are many great moments in games when you manage to outwit an opponent, or when you get humiliated by a devious, unexpected move. Doing things like maneuvering your bombers to carpet-bomb costly enemy structures is always satisfying.
The most significant gripes I have about the game should be cleared up in patches: the multiplayer matchmaking is shaky, voice chat is very buggy, and lag and disconnects are unfortunately still issues.
Overall, RUSE provides a exceptional, refreshing, and fairly laid-back RTS experience. It's clean and boardgame-esque style gives the game aesthetic value. Don't miss RUSE if you enjoy macro-focused, cerebral, multiplayer strategy gaming.