14 DAY TRIAL // Massive Entertainment had a tough time getting out this extra content for World in Conflict, its extremely popular strategy title. It was set to be released under the Sierra brand, but that didn’t exist any longer, so Ubisoft picked up the developer and allowed it to put out the Soviet Assault add on. Let's see how it goes:
14:00. Same title screens. I get the urge to replay the whole game, even some of the American side missions that I know by heart.
14:03. The first missions of the game are no longer the defense of Seattle. Instead of the soothing voice of Alec Baldwin telling me about surprise assaults, I get to see how two Soviet commanders are preparing for the beginning of the war, with a surprise assault against West Berlin. This should be good.
14:10. Damn, these cutscenes are quite long. I should probably start paying at least some attention if Massive wants to add the same “human impact” factor to the Soviet missions as it did for the Allies in the original game.
14:15. At last, a bit of fighting. I get to take out some guns in preparation for the advance. I also get to hear what passes for an inspirational speech in the Red Army.
14:20. The game is as lovely as I remembered it and the Battle for Berlin seems designed to showcase this as there are a lot of units at the same time on screen and special pyrotechnics take out the Wall in order to allow me to go through.
14:28. One annoying element is that you only control a small force on the battlefield and are ordered around by higher ups. A little less hand holding would have been nice.
14:37. Dropping huge amounts of ordnance on top of incoming tanks is always satisfying. Being a Communist makes no difference when it comes to my fighting skills.
14:40. Berlin is now ours, comrades. Although I know how all this ends, I want to see how the Russians continue their early victories.
14:45. The problem is that I now have to see the original intro of the game, set in Seattle, again. And I suspect that after the Battle for Berlin, the Retreat and Skirmish for Seattle will feel somewhat subdued.
14:52. Who would think Bannon would turn out to be a good guy, given his early performances? I liked serving under the Soviet leadership better than following this fool.
After one hour, World in Conflict seems as solid as ever when it comes to streamlined strategy and the Soviet missions are well built. Give it a try and see America burn and be reborn.