Overview
World in Conflict is a tactics-focused strategy game that takes place in a 1989 where the Cold War did not end as it did in history. The game features both a captivating, story-driven single-player game and a fast-paced, action-filled team-play game. The single-player game takes players right into the middle of the action, as the Americans attempt to fight the Soviet troops off of their homeland. Multiplayer can either be played via LAN or Massgate, the official online community for World in Conflict. In Massgate, players can enjoy an extensive experience, with leaderboards, rankings and an immense support for clans. With its unique drop-in multiplayer, World in Conflict offers fast-paced and action-filled tactical battles where each player plays a role that matters.
Background Information
As the 1980s drew to a close, the Soviet Union found itself bankrupt, disorganized and unable to keep up with the United States in the Cold War arms race. Adding to this bubbling cauldron, President Reagan’s US Strategic Defense Initiative, or “Star Wars” project, was threatening to significantly upset the delicate balance of mutual deterrence. Funds required for upgrading the Soviet nuclear arsenal and conventional forces were rapidly becoming scarce within the communist state. This led to increasing cuts in the civilian sector, which in turn caused widespread famines and supply shortages. As a last resort, the Soviet Politburo devised to blackmail Western Europe. They demanded from Europe the aid they needed, or they would invade and take it for themselves.
The Western Alliance initially viewed the Politburo’s threats as a bluff, and attempted to orchestrate an end to the crisis through diplomatic channels. However, though the West’s fevered rhetoric could have filled volumes, the Soviet Union had already decided on a path from which there was no turning back. As the crisis wore on, the Warsaw Pact steadily increased its readiness level, compelling NATO to mobilize a defense along the borders of the Iron Curtain. Then in what seemed like an instant, World War III had begun.
During the initial stages of the war, the Soviet Union made significant progress. Though marshaled, NATO was ill-prepared, initially finding itself pushed back on several fronts as the Soviets attacked both along the expected axis through West Germany, and with an amphibious assault on southern France. But as the battles wore on, REFORGER convoys were eventually able to resupply the NATO troops with fresh reinforcements and weaponry. Though the fighting was hard and at great cost to the NATO forces, the Soviet offensive in Europe was eventually halted.
However, unknown to its enemies, the Soviets had lightened their European ambitions and turned their eyes to the American foe. With strategic planning on an unparalleled scale, the Red Army launched a devastating surprise attack on the west coast of the United States.
The Roles
All the units available in the game are divided between four different roles. As a player of a team game, you can only choose one role to play at a time, and you will have to rely on your teammate’s to cover your back when you need it. Even though some of the units are available across the role borders, there’s no doubt that commanders who choose a certain role have certain expectations on themselves from their teammates.
Armor
The armor role is for anyone who likes to keep it simple. With unparalleled armor protection, the armor role is a powerful presence on ground. Tanks hold their ground very well, and the transport vehicles work as helpful aid in fast-paced advancements and give tanks some moderate protection against enemy helicopters.
Air
The air role is perfect for commanders who prefer fast movement and high attack power. The transport and scout helicopters also give the team the benefit of larger visual range and mobility on the battlefield. But although the air role is a powerful offensive force, it lacks the ability to capture Command Points.
Infantry
The infantry role puts a lot of demands on the commander. Being the most vulnerable to enemy fire, infantry units have to depend on movement and stealth to survive against enemy vehicles. Able to hide in forests and buildings, infantry units are most at home in the forests and larger cities. Armed with highly effective firearms, they pose a big threat against all other roles if played well.
Support
The support role is probably one of the most diverse roles available, with many different uses. Besides its very effective mobile artillery and anti-air vehicles, the support role also includes repair tanks that can aid friendly tanks. The support role can be hard to master, but it is an essential role for a strong and intimidating army.
The Game Modes
Domination
In Domination mode, two teams fight for domination over a number of Command Points that are spread out across the map. The team that controls the most Command Points will push the Domination bar to that team’s advantage. You win Domination by holding the majority of the Domination bar, either when the time runs out or by holding it completely. If you control all the Command Points on the map, the Domination bar will move twice as fast as it did before. This is called Total Domination.
Assault
Assault mode is played in a set of two rounds. One team acts as defender while the other team plays the role of attacker. The attacking team must take a number of Command Points in a pre-set order of succession. When the attacking team takes control of the first Command Point, a second Command Point will appear behind it. When time runs out, or when the attackers take control of all the Command Points, the sides are reversed and it’s the other team’s turn to attack. In order to win, the second team must capture more Command Points than the first attacking team or capture them faster than the first attacking team.
Tug of War
In the Tug of War mode, one long Command Point acts as a front line. Both teams struggle to control all the Perimeter Points at the same time to push the front line forward. The map is won when one team pushes the front line all the way to the other team’s side, or when a team has pushed the enemy back and holds the majority of the map when the time runs out.
Few-Player Mode
All the different game modes can also be played in Few-Player Mode. Few-Player Mode is a special mode where the game is tuned for 1 on 1 or 2 on 2. In Few-Player Mode, the role system is removed and the Reinforcement Points are vastly increased, to make sure that all the players get enough firepower to fight off their enemy. This game mode puts a lot of demand on player’s individual skills, and is great for commanders who like to have full control of the battle.
