World in Conflict
- September 19, 2009
- Massive Entertainment
"World in Conflict" is a real-time strategy game with a focus on tactical unit deployment and support assets. The single-player campaign features an intriguing story and varying units for each mission, while the multiplayer allows for battles between the United States, Soviet Union, and NATO factions. The game boasts exceptional graphics and unique gameplay mechanics, such as the 20-second airdrop delay and point refund system for destroyed units.
Reviews
- Engaging and immersive story with well-developed characters and emotional moments.
- Unique gameplay mechanics that focus on tactical unit management without base building.
- Stunning graphics and explosive effects that still hold up well over time.
- Frequent technical issues and crashes, especially on modern systems.
- Limited multiplayer community and support, making online play challenging.
- Some players may find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth in strategy.
- story161 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "World in Conflict" is highly praised for its engaging narrative and character development, offering a unique perspective on the Cold War through both American and Soviet campaigns. Players appreciate the cinematic cutscenes and voice acting, which enhance the emotional depth of the storyline, making it feel like an action drama. The addition of the "Soviet Assault" expansion enriches the experience by integrating new missions that provide insight into the Soviet viewpoint, although some players feel it disrupts the original campaign's flow.
“The game's story is mostly told through cinematic in-engine cutscenes (as well as occasional CGI cutscenes), that while dated in appearance, do a fantastic job at tricking you into thinking you're watching a war film.”
“The story is extremely engrossing, the voice acting superb, and gameplay solid.”
“There's actually a well-written plot that allows you to explore both sides of the conflict in a very human way.”
“The addition of Soviet Assault only adds Soviet missions to the existing campaign, and I feel that this implementation slightly breaks up the narrative in the previously US-focused original campaign.”
“Soviet Assault changes almost nothing except for the fact that it includes 6 Russian missions which are inserted between 2 American missions, which makes it possible to clear up black areas of the original campaign.”
“The plot and acting are second-rate and no new units or mission types are added - there is nothing of value for singleplayer mode game-wise.”
- gameplay60 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its engaging and fluid mechanics, offering a mix of tactical depth and accessibility that appeals to both newcomers and veterans of the RTS genre. While some players note a degree of repetitiveness in the campaign, many praise its unique approach, strong narrative, and innovative multiplayer elements that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its solid gameplay, impressive graphics, and a captivating storyline that keeps players invested.
“Great music, great gameplay that is still fun on the 5th replay, and great action.”
“The gameplay mechanics are all solid, and I have yet to encounter any game-breaking bugs or unsolvable crashes.”
“With accessible yet deep and unique game mechanics, plenty of fireworks to dazzle your eyes, a modern warfare story that actually makes sense without being too dumb, an action-heavy and high-production value campaign that just may be one of the best RTS single-player campaigns ever.”
“The gameplay is monotonous and unremarkable; the campaign is unrealistic and tiresome; the graphics belong in a game five years older; and the developer was too lazy to even differentiate between the two sides, resulting in each unit class being identical across the factions.”
“The actual gameplay lacks depth compared to some other RTS titles, but it's not bad by any means.”
“The campaign is very straightforward, and the gameplay, like any RTS, does get repetitive.”
- graphics57 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, despite its age, are frequently praised for their impressive detail and visual effects, particularly in explosions and environmental destruction. Many players note that the visuals still hold up well against modern standards, showcasing a level of artistry that enhances the overall gameplay experience. While some reviews mention minor technical issues, the consensus is that the graphics remain a standout feature, contributing to the game's enduring appeal.
“Not to mention the insane attention to detail in the visuals & audio.”
“Visually stunning, this game has aged gracefully and even now it can tax your rig at high graphical settings.”
“A defining RTS in its time, World in Conflict has beautiful graphics and unique gameplay compared to other RTS games like Command & Conquer and Age of Empires.”
“The graphics belong in a game five years older; and the developer was too lazy to even differentiate between the two sides, resulting in each unit class being identical across the factions.”
“Graphics is ok for a 2007 game.”
“I wish they would make a new one with improved mechanics & graphics, because this game brought to new graphic standards would be completely mind blowing.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, particularly in strategy missions, with standout tracks that elevate the experience to S-tier status in the RTS genre. While some users find certain pieces forgettable, others appreciate the epic themes and nostalgic 80s tunes that complement the game's historical context. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the enjoyment and replayability of the game.
“The music is good and the atmosphere for a strategy game is very nice in some missions.”
“S-tier OST with some of the best work in the RTS genre.”
“The soundtrack remains very neat with epic music at will, as in any self-respecting war game, and music from the 80s during certain cutscenes, to stick even more in the historical context of the game.”
“The music is mostly forgettable, but some pieces really stood out as nice.”
“My go-to stress relief game, but the music doesn't leave a lasting impression.”
- stability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it features impressive technical details and is largely bug-free in certain aspects, players often encounter bugs and must engage in significant troubleshooting to resolve issues.
“Technically, it is beautiful. The terrain is ultra-detailed, with a multitude of features, realistic shading, and impressive particle effects. The level of detail is remarkable and, moreover, bug-free.”
“At this point, you need to go through a lot of troubleshooting to maybe, just maybe, run it or get past other issues that crop up.”
“It's buggy at times, but overall it's a good enough game.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally praised, with users noting stable performance at 60fps on high settings, even during extensive battlefield exploration. It appears to be an improvement over the original, particularly for quad-core systems.
“In which performance doesn't tank while you look around the entire battlefield (as it does in Relic's titles).”
“It seems to be slightly more optimized than the original as well.”
“Optimized pretty well for a quad core as well, ran like a dream on my rig, basically steady 60fps, maxed with AA at 1080p.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by impactful character interactions and a few memorable moments, particularly during the climactic battle. While the single-player campaign is generally considered forgettable, it features a well-integrated story that evokes genuine emotions, especially in key scenes related to the overarching conflict.
“You go through the game repelling an invasion and after some quite emotional events and character interactions, you get to a slightly less losing stance.”
“Campaign has a well-integrated story that even gets quite emotional at times.”
“The single-player campaign has a handful of touching moments, most notably at the climactic battle to protect the still-fictitious Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as the Star Wars project, from Soviet forces.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with commendable music and exceptional voice acting that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the immersive environment, particularly in certain missions, and highlight the strong character development as a key contributor to the overall ambiance.
“The music is good, and the atmosphere for a strategy game is very nice in some missions.”
“The voice acting is astounding, the character development is marvelous, and the atmosphere is simply amazing.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting its depth and effectiveness, complemented by outstanding voice acting and an immersive atmosphere.
“The voice acting is astounding, the character development is marvelous, and the atmosphere is simply amazing.”
“It has story and character development.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's strong replayability, particularly in the skirmish mode against bots, which offers a fresh experience each time. The focus on strategic battles across diverse landscapes in Europe and North America enhances the game's longevity and keeps players engaged.
“Graphics and gameplay are great, with a decent replay value in the skirmish mode (with bots).”
“This game pretty much redefines traditional RTS by focusing only on the strategy battle aspect while providing replayability over and over again across vast battlefields of Europe and North America.”
“This game pretty much redefines traditional RTS by focusing only on the strategy battle aspect while providing replayability over and over again across vast battlefields of Europe and North America. That's right, North America.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is minimized due to a clever unit purchase system that prioritizes micromanagement over tedious economy-building, allowing for a more engaging experience without the burden of extensive resource management.
“Micromanagement is more important than broad strategic lines, and a very clever unit purchase system means there is no tedious economy-building, but one cannot throw valuable units around either.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The campaign is praised for its amazing content, featuring witty humor that enhances the overall experience.
“The campaign is amazing, and you'll love the witty humor.”
“The game's humor is spot-on, making every moment enjoyable.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the clever jokes and funny dialogue throughout the game.”