World War III: Black Gold
- September 27, 2013
- Reality Pump
Get on Steam"World War III: Black Gold" is a strategy game set in a near future where actual armies and weapons are used amidst global political crisis. The game features 3 campaigns in the US, Russia, and Iraq, with 30 missions focusing on courage and honor. The 3D war terrain, day/night cycles, weather conditions, and a technology tree weapons research system make for an immersive and challenging experience .
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- A nostalgic experience that brings back fond memories for many players.
- Interesting mechanics and a unique atmosphere that can engage players for hours.
- Despite its age, it still offers enjoyable gameplay and a classic RTS feel.
- Clunky controls and poor pathfinding make gameplay frustrating.
- Graphics and audio are outdated, detracting from the overall experience.
- The AI is often unresponsive and the objectives can be confusing, leading to a tedious gameplay experience.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally criticized for being clunky, simplistic, and outdated compared to modern RTS standards, with many reviewers noting its tediousness and lack of depth in resource management. While some mechanics are considered interesting and the game offers a standard RTS experience with a focus on combat and base building, it ultimately fails to impress, leading some players to recommend seeking better alternatives. Despite its shortcomings, a few players find value in the game's nostalgic elements and immersive aspects, especially if purchased at a low price.
“The gameplay is fairly standard RTS, with a bit more control over the equipment of the units and less resource management.”
“While the gameplay itself may not be up to 2013 RTS standards, the music, ambience, mission creativity, mechanics, and immersion are top-notch for its time.”
“Typical RTS gameplay, not much resource management, just drill for oil -> money, focus on combat and base building.”
“I can withstand old graphics, outdated gameplay, even low fps and 'software'-powered cursor... but man, those controls are clunky, to say the least!!!”
“Honestly, go to Kongregate; there are free games there with better gameplay.”
“As for the gameplay of WW3: Black Gold, it looks very dated now and has been left way behind by so many more modern games in the RTS genre.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and unattractive, reminiscent of early 2000s titles, with many players finding them unappealing or even "ugly." While some fans of classic games may appreciate the nostalgic blocky style, the overall consensus is that the visuals do not meet modern standards and may deter new players. Those who are tolerant of older graphics might still enjoy the gameplay, but expectations should be tempered accordingly.
“Absolutely for those who do not mind older graphics and sometimes challenging AI, and for those who loved the preceding Earth games, you absolutely do not want to miss this out of the collection!”
“Graphics are okay (circa 2005 style), blocky 3D but effective enough.”
“Good strategy game, it's old so don't expect much from graphics, hit it when it's on special offers.”
“Combat is shallow, base building is shallow, graphics are ugly (for the time even) and the audio is mediocre.”
“Graphically, those players who never really tasted the look of games from 2001 and around will mostly find this piece unpleasant, or even outright trash.”
“It's from 2001, so don't expect much from the graphics.”
- story9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story is criticized for being unclear and confusing, with objectives that often lead players to guess their next steps, resulting in frustrating gameplay experiences. While the narrative serves as a catalyst for future events, it lacks depth and coherence, leaving players disengaged from the campaign. Despite these shortcomings, some elements like music and immersion are noted as strengths.
“Just what really happened in the story that you failed to notice while playing?”
“This story is just a catalyst; in exactly 40 years after the story's end, the mayhem will begin anew, but this time the world will not stop at just three nukes.”
“While the gameplay itself may not be up to 2013 RTS standards, the music, ambience, mission creativity, mechanics, and immersion are top notch for its time.”
“Objectives are baffling and obscure, and you just have to guess where the game wants you to go. If you go in the wrong direction, it can downright make you lose the mission.”
“I've given up on the campaign after the third mission, having spent half an hour flying with my helicopters around the map, trying to find the couple of hostile units I must have missed.”
“First mission: drive to another base.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a mixed experience; while some tracks evoke nostalgia and enhance immersion, others can become repetitive and annoying, particularly during combat. Overall, it contributes positively to the atmosphere, despite some players finding it depressing and unable to be muted.
“Very fun nostalgia trip, awesome soundtrack and cool real-world vehicles to command :)”
“While the gameplay itself may not be up to 2013 RTS standards, the music, ambience, mission creativity, mechanics, and immersion are top notch for its time.”
“The music constantly loops, while not being great at the same time.”
“The music is a mixed bag, with some parts of it decent, and other parts getting really annoying after a while, especially the combat bits.”
“The music is depressing, and you can't turn it off!”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the campaign is criticized for being tedious and reminiscent of older RTS games from the 90s, making the gameplay feel standard and repetitive. However, some users suggest that it may still be worth purchasing on sale for those seeking another RTS experience, especially at a low price.
“The campaign is grindy, copying the sins of old RTS games from the 90s.”
“In terms of gameplay, it is rather standard and sometimes tedious.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is described as eerie and psychologically unsettling, particularly appealing to fans of Cold War themes.
“The game creates a haunting ambiance that immerses you in its chilling narrative.”
“Every sound and visual detail contributes to an unsettling atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
“The eerie atmosphere really messes with your head, especially if you're into Cold War themes.”
“The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving it feeling flat and uninspired.”
“Despite its potential, the atmosphere feels lifeless and fails to immerse you in the experience.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting it as buggy, laggy, and ultimately unplayable.
“The game is incredibly buggy and laggy, making it nearly unplayable.”
“Frequent crashes and glitches ruin the overall experience.”
“I constantly encounter stability issues that disrupt gameplay.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express concern that Steam's monetization practices are undermining its integrity in the gaming industry, urging players to scrutinize the fine print in game advertisements to avoid potential pitfalls.
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the game.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to fully experience the game without shelling out extra cash.”
“The constant barrage of in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment, turning what could be a fun experience into a money-grab.”
