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The Axis and Allies series includes the best WWII strategy board games available. So if you like those, then TimeGate Studio's Axis and Allies (for the PC) is a definite must have. This version keeps the board game's world map and gameplay, but adds to it with great RTS play. Choosing between Great Britain, the U.S., the Soviet Union, Germany, and Japan, you must attempt to conquer the world. But if you don't like the idea of moving a couple pieces around a board, then there are plenty of other options for gameplay.
In Axis and Allies (A&A), you take the command of an army corps. From your Corps HQ, you can deploy infantry, mechanized, armored, and airborne divisions. Each Division HQ allows the requisition of three to six regiments of several different types. Regiments usually consist of five to nine infantry, halftracks, or tanks. Units are realistically employed, with realistic weapons, but balance is still kept between the different nations. Also available are engineer and artillery brigades, and motor pools, which unlock additional units and provide useful technologies. Engineers can repair buildings as well as construct static defenses. Airfields are available once all brigades are deployed, allowing you to order powerful airstrikes on your enemy. Naval units are not producible, but are available in some missions.
Balancing resources involves accumulating money as well as keeping an income of ammunition and oil. Money is accumulated and spent, while ammo and oil is needed for the upkeep of divisions, and a deficit means less money income. Keeping units in supply is vital, since they will automatically repair and get reinforcements. Experience and entrenchment add to their capabilities, different formations and terrain affect their attack efficiency, and morale keeps them fighting. Keeping track of these variables is not difficult thanks to an effective layout. The AI will also keep you on your feet, pressing to find weaknesses, and then thrusting whole divisions at your lines. While the presentation is not up to some of today's high standards, combat can become extremely chaotic and enjoyable. You gain experience points at a constant rate, which increases when in combat, and can then be used to purchase certain powers like increased supplies, saboteurs, and carpet bombings.
If you enjoy the board game's gameplay, then you will enjoy hearing that it carried over to A&A on the PC nicely. You control a nation, using money to buy armies and technology, and then move your armies into different territories to capture them. You can take as many uncontested territories as you want, but each nation gets only one attack per turn. These battles can either be handled by the AI, or controlled by the player in an RTS match. But if you don't like the grand strategy element, then there are other options. A campaign is available which puts you in historical battles, each quite lengthy with a healthy amount of difficulty. Both the Axis and Allied powers have different campaigns, with the Axis version ending in victory for Germany and Japan (leading to obviously fictitious missions). There is also a custom mission editor, and a skirmish mode that puts up to eight players on a random map. Multiplayer communities still exist, with many player-made maps available. So, there are other choices for gameplay.
A&A is another aging, but still highly playable game, and can be found for quite a bargain. For WWII RTS enthusiasts, it is a great strategy game to pick up. The ability for both grand and operational strategy play makes A&A quite unique. I highly suggest checking it out for new and old strategy gamers. Whether you want to build your own army and invade Japan, or find out what could have happened if Germany had repulsed the Allies in Normandy, Axis and Allies can deliver great gameplay time and time again.
Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more reviews, info, and screenshots.
SPACE.com - Every once in a while, something will appear in the night sky that will attract the attention of even those who normally don't bother looking up. It's likely to be that way on Monday evening, Dec. 1.
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