Summary
Men of War: Assault Squad is a real-time tactics game that focuses on strategy and realism in WWII scenarios. With its intricate simulation, absence of fixed force scenarios, and direct control feature, it offers a challenging and immersive experience for players.
- Release Year: 2011
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Tactical
- Platforms: Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Digitalmindsoft
Introduction
Men of War: Assault Squad is a real-time tactics strategy game developed by Digitalmindsoft and published by 1C Company. The game focuses on WWII battles, offering a mix of tactical and strategic gameplay without fixed force scenarios, allowing for a more dynamic approach to warfare.
Synopsis
“Men of War: Assault Squad” is a real-time tactics strategy game set in the backdrop of World War II. Released on February 25, 2011, for PC, it is a standalone expansion pack for the 2009 game “Men of War”.
The game introduces a completely new cooperative skirmish game mode with access to five different nations: Russia, Germany, USA, Commonwealth, and Japan. Each nation has its unique abilities on the battlefield. The game focuses more on the infantry part of the war, adding 15 new missions, improved graphics, and a few new units.
In “Men of War: Assault Squad”, every soldier is a self-contained unit controllable by the player using a traditional real-time strategy control scheme or through direct control. Each soldier has an inventory consisting of ammunition, weapons, and equipment. Elite troops like Rangers or Panzergrenadiers might have a pair of anti-tank grenades and several anti-personnel grenades as well as advanced equipment like anti-tank rifles or dynamite. Equipment and weapons can be collected from dead soldiers or the ground, or transferred between units.
The game is primarily a real-time tactics game but veers more toward strategy due to the absence of any “fixed force” (i.e., no reinforcements) scenarios. It is driven by an intricate simulation that tracks ammunition and fuel, inventories for each unit, cover and line of sight, tank combat with penetration and deflection of shells, field of view, and much more.
“Assault Squad” includes a “direct control” feature that allows the player to take control of any unit on the field. This allows fine control during firefights, such as priming grenades before throwing and aiming for specific parts on a tank. The multiplayer uses the GameSpy client and has a built-in Elo rating system. Multiplayer matches can take place on dozens of maps and between the game’s five factions. New multiplayer maps are released as DLC.
“Men of War: Assault Squad” offers a unique blend of real-time tactics and strategy, set in the historical context of World War II. With its focus on infantry combat, detailed simulation, and the ability to control individual units, it provides a rich and immersive gaming experience for fans of the genre.
Characters
The game features five factions, each with their own unique units and strategies. Players can control a wide range of units, from infantry to tanks, in various WWII scenarios.
Gameplay
Players engage in real-time battles, managing resources and strategically positioning units. The absence of fixed force scenarios means players must carefully plan their tactics without relying on reinforcements. The game emphasizes realism in combat, with detailed simulations affecting gameplay.
Conclusion
Men of War: Assault Squad offers a deep and challenging experience for fans of real-time tactics and strategy games. Its focus on realism and detailed combat simulation provides a unique and immersive WWII experience.
Review Score
8/10