Soldiers: Heroes of World War 2 introduces new featues to the RTS genre, making it a fun, innovating and addictive game.
The RPG factor in this game can be seen in the form of equipping characters with different weapons (which are kept and used in the next level) and armor. It isn't a major factor, but it adds a little while really not taking away anything at all. The action factor is the most important addition, since the game's physics are as accurate and detailed as those of an FPS! You can take direct control of a unit and play the game as an over-head action game. You can then assign other units to support that unit. Unfortunately, you only have a set number of units for the ENTIRE CAMPAIGN, so your units are definately NOT expendable. Therefore, using RTS commands when staging complicated attacks really is not an option.
The game includes anything from motorcycles and unarmored cars to some of the heaviest tanks used in World War 2, such as the Tiger tank (in fact, one of the campaigns focuses on such a tank). As mentioned earlier, the vehicles in this game vary greatly. First, there are motorcycles and cars. These provide little to no protection, but can be used to haul items around in their inventory. They offer little to no protection, can be destroyed with machinegun fire, and are almost completely useless in combat (large target, poor armor). However, machineguns can be mounted on them and used against infantry. Any grenade will either disable or destroy this vehicle, assuming your infantry aren't shot while inside the vehicle. Then, there are armored cars and half-tracks. Most of the time, these cannot be damaged with the lightest, anti-infantry grenades. However, larger (moderate-strength) grenades will take out the wheels/tracks of the vehicles. Most of the time, these vehicles are only equipped with machineguns. If you are lucky, you will find one with a zenite cannon. Then, there are the heaviest vehicles: the tanks. There are light, medium and heavy tanks. Tanks usually come with a cannon (of different strengths) and a machinegun. There are two types of shells for each cannon size: AP and HE. HE is good for destroying light vehicles, infantry and buildings. AP works against armored targets. In general, all tanks are invulnerable to light anti-infantry grenades, somewhat vulnerable to medium grenades (can take out track of tank), and can only be destroyed by the heavier grenades (AT grenades). With the exception of vehicles and stationary weapons, AT grenades and rocket launchers are some of the only weapons that can destroy tanks. Molotov Coctails MAY kill the tank crew, but much of the time they cause no damage. The game also includes some stationary weapons (anti-tank, MG). There are rare appearances of artillery, but that's pretty much it.
Infantry can also be used effectively. In fact, one of the most interesting aspects of the game is using infantry in urban environments to disable and destroy tanks/superior forces. They can even be equipped with different armor and helmets. Once again, very realistic. Tanks can take damage in each track (disabling movement), turret (disables cannon rotation, machinegun rotation), cannon (disables cannon, but turret can rotate, allowing for machinegun fire), engine, and (I think) gas tank (leading to destruction of tank). Cannons can only use certain size shells. Machineguns can be removed or mounted. Fuel needs to be added to tanks (can be transfered in barrels or canisters from tank to tank). Shells can be scavanged from tanks with similar weaponry. Pretty much anything imaginable. Tanks can even smash through most buildings, adding to fun as well as realism. Of course, vehicles can be repaired with repair kits, UNLESS the damage they take is permanent (for example, completely blowing off a wheel of a car will render it immobile forever).
However, with the good, comes the bad. The game is simply too short. Some of the campaigns also prove to be tedious as opposed to fun. For example, on one mission, you have to lay out 5 pieces of wood to signal a plane. This includes pouring gasoline on it, too. Then, lighting it ablaze. Also, many of the campaigns are just frustrating and not all that fun. The German campaign is great, since you get to ride a tank pretty much on every mission. On the Russian campaign, you end up playing each level with 3 soldiers (that's it) and have no vehicles, unless you get lucky and steal an armoured car. The biggest letdown, however, is that there appears to be no "Skirmish" mode. There is a multiplayer mode, but no way to customize a battle between the player and a computer opponent. Such a feature would be great, but, unfortunately, is has been left out.
Overall, the game is amazing and will provide many hours of fun. Unfortunately, some tasks prove tedious and the game is simply too short.