With East Versus West (eastversuswest.com), the Heart of Iron game series moves beyond World War II, through the Cold War and into the conflict that never happened – World War III. Players take control of any country between 1946 and 1991 and then beseech the United Nations for peace or drop thermonuclear warheads at the slightest provocation.
True to the series’ previous games, East Versus West unfolds in real time, although players can pause the action whenever they like to ponder their next decision. And there is a lot to consider, such as which technology to research, what diplomacy to conduct and which wars to fight. Players can also spy on their opponents, wage economic warfare or ask the U.N. for assistance.
East Versus West is a deep, detailed game that’s not for the strategic faint of heart. It hits retail outlets in early 2014.
Wolfenstein: The New Order (wolfenstein.com/age) reboots the seminal first-person shooter. Imagine a world in which Nazi Germany develops the first atomic bomb and then subsequently conquers a weakened America – that is Wolfenstein: The New Order.
Gamers play the role of chiseled-jawed, steely-eyed B.J. Blazkowicz, an American war hero who leads the resistance against the Nazi occupation. Players have fun fighting with giant Mechs (biped tanks), exotic weaponry and much more.
The story-driven campaign in Wolfenstein: The New Order looks promising, and its developers, Machine-Games, indicate the game will have a robust multiplayer suite, as well. We’ll find out if it lives up to expectations when it releases in 2014.
Great Battles Medieval (slitherine.com) simulates the protracted conflict between England and France known as the Hundred Years War. The game ships with two campaigns, British and French. After surveying a strategic map, players choose which battles to fight, and as the gameplay progresses more engagements become available.
Great Battles Medieval includes strong role-playing elements that allow players to customize their army units with various skills and weapons. Archers, knights, swordsmen and many others stand ready to fight. In addition, gamers can choose battle cards to play during the skirmishes to enhance their soldiers’ attributes or to impede the enemy.
Each conflict plays out in two phases: deployment and battle. The fighting unfolds in real time, although the game can be paused to give players an opportunity to consider their next move. Furthermore, the killing ground is sectioned into tiles to allow them to see exactly how far their units can advance and shoot.
Great Battles Medieval is real-time strategy that feels turn-based. Gamers are encouraged to check it out. It’s great fun.
Mark H. Walker is a retired U.S. Navy commander and the author of over 40 books, including three novels. Read his insight into gaming, writing, and living at overdaedge.blogspot.com or markhwalker.com.
Originally published in the January 2014 issue of Armchair General.
