First off, I have been looking forward to this game since Oleg Maddox first announced work on it several years ago. Knowing his team's work on the IL2 series of WW2 combat flight sims, I expected great things and am pleased to say that he once again raises the bar on realism for a historical WW2 RTS. Having once been a student and practitioner of small unit tactics and maneuver on the modern battlefield, I can say that this game enables you to use real world techniques to great effect. Bluntly, tank rushes are out and detailed terrain analysis coupled with a sound recon and manuever to bring max firepower on your opponent are in. Further expect to be surprised and plan for it with your reserves accordingly. The AI is good, as in most recent sims, almost too good. It can seem almost too easy when your plan goes well and utterly frustrating and impossible when it doesn't. Graphics are dated but adequate (the engine is an updated version of the most recent IL2 iteration). Terrain is bland and uninspired--perhaps too realistic. More effort should have been put into designing interesting terrain rather than grabbing map data. Unit animations and damage effects are quite nice when you have time to view them. Some sort of playback engine should have been included. Sounds are especially good on a 5.1 or better system. Sometimes I wish that the authors would realize that we still want to have an adictively fun time playing these games. This game is a save and restore fest with major fun stuff left out. Grognards would say to try to play through without saving, but that is utterly frustrating. Most lacking here is some kind of engrosing campaign system that would allow resource management a la Medieval Total War, alternate historical endings a la Panzer General, and a multiplayer experience like Civ4. I realize that is asking a lot ,but if you don't ask you'll never see it.
Overall, this game is only for the serious WW2 wargame buff. RTS speed freaks will be especially thrown off by the more realistic pace which ranges from agonizingly slow to hyperspeed--much like a real battlefield.
It depends on which side you come from. I can see why anaolgies are made. If you are a seasoned grognard, then this game really isn't particularly deep. Comparisons with Panther Games and Norm Kruger's offerings show... Read Full Review
Theatre of War has gotten quite a bad bunch of reviews from these posters. To be honest with you all, I'm not sure why. The game has plenty intuitive control, and the tutorial covers everything from movement to line of s... Read Full Review
