Publisher: TalonSoft

Jagged Alliance 2 (1999)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 6 minutes read

Summary

Jagged Alliance 2: A Classic Strategy Game That Still Holds Up Today

Jagged Alliance 2 is a turn-based strategy game developed by Sir-Tech Canada and released in 1999. It is the sequel to the 1995 game Jagged Alliance, and it is considered by many to be one of the greatest strategy games ever made.

The game is set in the fictional country of Arulco, which has been taken over by a ruthless dictator named Deidranna Reitman. The player takes control of a squad of mercenaries and must fight their way through the country to overthrow Reitman and restore democracy.

Jagged Alliance 2 is a complex and challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The game features a deep and engaging story, memorable characters, and challenging combat.

Gameplay

Jagged Alliance 2 is a turn-based strategy game. The player controls a squad of up to six mercenaries, and must use them to fight their way through the country of Arulco. The game features a variety of different missions, including escort missions, assassination missions, and sabotage missions.

The combat in Jagged Alliance 2 is very realistic and challenging. The player must take into account the terrain, the weather, and the enemy’s position when making decisions. The game also features a variety of different weapons and equipment, which the player can use to customize their squad.

In addition to the main campaign, Jagged Alliance 2 also features a number of side missions and challenges. These missions can be completed to earn money and experience, and they can also help the player to unlock new weapons and equipment.

Characters

Jagged Alliance 2 features a cast of memorable and well-developed characters. The player can choose from a variety of different mercenaries to join their squad, each with their own unique skills and abilities.

Some of the most popular characters in Jagged Alliance 2 include:

  • Ivan Dolvich: A Russian mercenary and former Spetsnaz operative. Ivan is a tough and experienced fighter, and he is always ready for a fight.
  • Carmen Diaz: A Colombian mercenary and former guerrilla fighter. Carmen is a skilled sniper and a deadly close-quarters combatant.
  • Gus Tarballs: An American mercenary and former Green Beret. Gus is a demolitions expert and a master of disguise.
  • Biff Wellington: A British mercenary and former SAS operative. Biff is a skilled pilot and a crack shot.
  • Meltdown: A Canadian mercenary and former nuclear physicist. Meltdown is a brilliant strategist and a skilled hacker.

Story

The story of Jagged Alliance 2 is complex and engaging. The player takes control of a squad of mercenaries and must fight their way through the country of Arulco to overthrow the ruthless dictator Deidranna Reitman.

Along the way, the player will encounter a variety of different characters and factions. Some of these characters will be friendly and helpful, while others will be hostile and dangerous. The player must use their wits and their combat skills to overcome their enemies and achieve their goals.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in Jagged Alliance 2 are not particularly impressive by today’s standards, but they are still functional and effective. The game’s sound design is excellent, and it helps to create a realistic and immersive atmosphere.

Conclusion

Jagged Alliance 2 is a classic strategy game that still holds up today. The game features a deep and engaging story, memorable characters, challenging combat, and a variety of different missions and challenges. If you are a fan of strategy games, then Jagged Alliance 2 is a must-play.

Score

9.5/10

Review Score

9.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Tzar: The Burden of the Crown (2000)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Tzar: The Burden of the Crown (2000)

Tzar: The Burden of the Crown is a real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Haemimont Games and published by Take-Two Interactive in 2000. The game is set in a fictional medieval world and tasks players with conquering neighboring kingdoms and destroying their castles.

Tzar features three playable races: the Europeans, Asians, and Arabians. Each race has its own unique set of buildings, units, and special abilities. The Europeans are a well-rounded race with a strong focus on infantry and cavalry. The Asians are known for their powerful ranged units and siege weapons. The Arabians are a versatile race with a mix of infantry, cavalry, and ranged units.

The game’s campaign mode consists of 12 missions, each with its own unique objectives. In some missions, the player must destroy an enemy force, while in others they must protect a citadel from attack. The campaign mode also introduces the game’s three different difficulty levels: easy, normal, and hard.

In addition to the campaign mode, Tzar also features a skirmish mode where players can battle against AI opponents or other human players. Skirmish mode can be played on a variety of maps, each with its own unique terrain and resources.

Tzar was praised for its innovative gameplay, detailed graphics, and challenging campaign mode. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Tzar is a real-time strategy game in which the player controls a group of units and buildings in order to conquer neighboring kingdoms. The game’s basic gameplay mechanics are similar to other RTS games such as Warcraft and StarCraft. The player must gather resources, build structures, and train units in order to grow their army and attack their enemies.

One of the unique features of Tzar is its focus on diplomacy. Players can form alliances with other kingdoms, trade resources, and even marry their daughters to foreign rulers. Diplomacy can be a powerful tool for expanding one’s empire without resorting to war.

Another unique feature of Tzar is its unit customization system. Players can upgrade their units with new weapons and armor, and they can also train them in new abilities. This system allows players to create a truly unique army that is tailored to their own playstyle.

Setting

Tzar is set in a fictional medieval world known as the Realm of Aon. The realm is divided into a number of different kingdoms, each with its own unique culture and military. The game’s story follows the rise and fall of these kingdoms as they struggle for power and control.

The Realm of Aon is a harsh and unforgiving world. The land is ravaged by war and disease, and the people are constantly struggling to survive. However, the realm is also a place of great beauty and wonder. The forests are filled with ancient trees and magical creatures, and the mountains are home to snow-capped peaks and sparkling glaciers.

Characters

Tzar features a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique motivations and goals. The game’s protagonist is Ivan, a young prince who is destined to become the Tzar of Aon. Ivan is a brave and compassionate leader, but he is also haunted by the death of his father.

Other important characters in the game include:

  • Sophia, Ivan’s sister and the princess of Aon. Sophia is a wise and beautiful woman who is a trusted advisor to her brother.
  • Boris, Ivan’s cousin and a powerful general. Boris is a skilled warrior and a loyal friend, but he is also ambitious and ruthless.
  • Anastasia, a young woman who is destined to become the Tzarina of Aon. Anastasia is a kind and gentle woman who is loved by all who know her.

Reception

Tzar was released to critical acclaim in 2000. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, detailed graphics, and challenging campaign mode. Tzar was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

The game has been praised for its:

  • Innovative gameplay: Tzar’s focus on diplomacy and unit customization set it apart from other RTS games at the time.
  • Detailed graphics: Tzar’s graphics were some of the best in the industry at the time, and they still hold up today.
  • Challenging campaign mode: Tzar’s campaign mode is full of challenging missions that will test even the most experienced RTS players.

Overall, Tzar is a classic RTS game that is still enjoyed by many today. If you are a fan of the genre, then you owe it to yourself to check out Tzar.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Rising Sun (2000)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Rising Sun (2000)

Rising Sun is a turn-based strategy game developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Entertainment. It was released on October 31, 2000, for Microsoft Windows. The game is set in the Pacific Theater of World War II and allows players to take control of either the United States or the Japanese Empire.

Rising Sun is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a deep and immersive experience. The game’s turn-based combat system is easy to learn but difficult to master, and the AI is challenging enough to keep even the most experienced players on their toes. The game also features a wide variety of units and weapons, which allows players to tailor their strategies to their own playstyles.

One of the things that makes Rising Sun so unique is its focus on realism. The game’s developers went to great lengths to ensure that the game accurately reflects the historical events of World War II. The game’s maps are based on real-world locations, and the units and weapons are all based on actual historical counterparts. This attention to detail helps to create a truly immersive experience that draws players into the world of the game.

Another thing that sets Rising Sun apart from other strategy games is its emphasis on combined arms warfare. In order to be successful in Rising Sun, players must learn to use all of the different types of units and weapons at their disposal. Infantry, tanks, artillery, and aircraft all have their own unique roles to play, and players must be able to coordinate their forces effectively in order to achieve victory.

Rising Sun is a complex and challenging game, but it is also a rewarding one. The game’s deep and immersive gameplay, combined with its focus on realism and combined arms warfare, make it a must-play for fans of strategy games.

Gameplay

Rising Sun is a turn-based strategy game in which players take control of either the United States or the Japanese Empire. The game is played on a hex-based map, and players must move their units around the map in order to capture objectives and defeat their opponents.

The game features a wide variety of units and weapons, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Infantry is the most basic unit type, and it is good for capturing objectives and holding ground. Tanks are more powerful than infantry, but they are also more expensive and slower. Artillery can attack units from a distance, and it is good for softening up enemy defenses. Aircraft can be used to attack ground units or to provide air support for other units.

Players must use all of the different types of units and weapons at their disposal in order to be successful in Rising Sun. Infantry is good for capturing objectives and holding ground, tanks are good for breaking through enemy defenses, artillery is good for softening up enemy defenses, and aircraft can be used to attack ground units or to provide air support for other units.

The game also features a variety of different terrain types, which can affect the movement and combat abilities of units. For example, forests provide cover for infantry, but they can also slow down tanks. Mountains provide a defensive bonus for units, but they can also make it difficult to move around.

Players must take into account the different terrain types when planning their moves. For example, it is important to use forests to cover your infantry, and to avoid moving tanks through mountains.

Historical Accuracy

Rising Sun is one of the most historically accurate strategy games ever made. The game’s developers went to great lengths to ensure that the game accurately reflects the historical events of World War II.

The game’s maps are based on real-world locations, and the units and weapons are all based on actual historical counterparts. The game also features a number of historical events, such as the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway.

The game’s attention to detail helps to create a truly immersive experience that draws players into the world of the game. Players can feel like they are actually participating in the historical events of World War II.

Combined Arms Warfare

Rising Sun is a game that emphasizes combined arms warfare. In order to be successful, players must learn to use all of the different types of units and weapons at their disposal.

Infantry is good for capturing objectives and holding ground, tanks are good for breaking through enemy defenses, artillery is good for softening up enemy defenses, and aircraft can be used to attack ground units or to provide air support for other units.

Players must be able to coordinate their forces effectively in order to achieve victory. For example, players can use infantry to capture an objective, and then use tanks to support the infantry and hold the objective. Players can also use artillery to soften up enemy defenses, and then use aircraft to attack the weakened enemy units.

Combined arms warfare is a complex and challenging aspect of Rising Sun, but it is also a rewarding one. Players who are able to master combined arms warfare will be able to achieve great success in the game.

Conclusion

Rising Sun is a must-play for fans of strategy games. The game’s deep and immersive gameplay, combined with its focus on realism and combined arms warfare, make it a truly unique and rewarding experience.

Review Score

8.5/10

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Battleground 4: Shiloh (1996)

by Nish
written by Nish 4 minutes read

Summary

Battleground 4: Shiloh (1996)

A Tactical Masterpiece of Civil War Gaming

Journey back to the hallowed grounds of Shiloh, Tennessee, where one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War unfolded. Battleground 4: Shiloh (1996) invites you to relive this pivotal conflict in a groundbreaking tactical wargame that combines historical accuracy with thrilling gameplay.

Immerse Yourself in the Chaos of Shiloh

Step into the fray as Union or Confederate forces and command your troops across a sprawling battlefield teeming with authentic Civil War units. From the roar of artillery to the thunderous charge of cavalry, Battleground 4: Shiloh recreates the chaos and intensity of the original battle with meticulous detail.

Command a Vast Array of Units

Take command of a diverse range of infantry, cavalry, and artillery units, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Infantry can engage in close-quarters combat or form defensive lines, while cavalry excels at flanking maneuvers and rapid pursuit. Artillery provides devastating long-range support, capable of shattering enemy formations.

Master the Art of Strategy

Battleground 4: Shiloh is not a game of brute force. Victory requires careful planning, tactical maneuvering, and a keen understanding of the battlefield. Utilize cover, coordinate your units effectively, and exploit the terrain to outsmart your opponent. Every decision you make can turn the tide of battle.

Experience Historical Authenticity

The developers of Battleground 4: Shiloh have gone to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy. The game features meticulously researched uniforms, weapons, and equipment, as well as detailed recreations of the actual battlefield. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Civil War and witness the conflict unfold as it truly happened.

Unleash Your Inner General

With a vast array of customizable options, Battleground 4: Shiloh allows you to tailor your gameplay experience to your liking. Choose from a variety of difficulty levels, adjust the AI behavior, and even create your own custom scenarios. Whether you’re a seasoned wargamer or a newcomer to the genre, Battleground 4: Shiloh offers a challenging and rewarding experience.

A Legacy of Excellence

Battleground 4: Shiloh is the fourth installment in the acclaimed Battleground series, known for its innovative gameplay and historical accuracy. The game has received widespread critical praise, earning a review score of 8.5 out of 10 from IGN. It has also been recognized by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design, winning the Origins Award for Best Historical Game in 1997.

Conclusion

Battleground 4: Shiloh (1996) stands as a testament to the power of video games to educate and entertain. It is a masterpiece of tactical wargaming that immerses players in the chaos and grandeur of the American Civil War. Whether you’re a history buff, a wargaming enthusiast, or simply a fan of great games, Battleground 4: Shiloh is an essential experience.

Review Score

8.5/10

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