Soldiers: Heroes of World War II Preview

The last few years in gaming have marked a ceaseless effort to make countless PC games based on the events of World War II. So, here we go again, baby! Ukrainian development team Best Way and renowned publisher Codemasters join forces to create a brand-new 3D real-time action game, entitled Soldiers: Heroes of World War II. This game is actually a third-person shooter with several standard RTS elements thrown into the mix. According to the designing team, the game is sort of a cross between Edios Interactive's strategy Commandos and the all-time classic Cannon Fodder.

Just keep on coming, ya Nazi bastards!

Oh man, that must've hurt.

The game is currently in mid-production and a long way away from its release - you can expect it some time during Summer 2004. Until then, we take the time to chew over some of the game's promising features, so sit back and enjoy. And while you're at it make sure to check out the exclusive shots we have on display for you, courtesy of the folks at Codemasters.

Set in the height of the Second World War, this game allows you to experience intense battles throughout four action-packed single-player campaigns: Russian, American, British, and German. There's a wide range of missions to complete, all of which are set on the battlegrounds of Europe; so you're gonna be pretty busy during each campaign. The developers also promised to include unique tasks and events for each campaign, to make sure players won't get bored going through the entire course of the single-player game. By the way, once in the combat zone, your team is left to deal with the situation on its own. In other words, there will be no reinforcements or rescues until you've achieved your ultimate goal (I guess that's why they refer to them as heroes of WWII).

By now you're probably thinking that the game draws heavily on the Commandos series. Granted, there are various features that make the gameplay similar to contemporary strategies set in WWII. The unique part, however, is that players are able to take control of their units individually and move them about in a third-person view (a la Hidden & Dangerous). This particular feature is no doubt one of the game's defining characteristics. Although camera control remains automatic in this mode, you are completely free to use characters in any way you wish, handling movement, assigning targets, switching weapons, etc. Such an open-ended aspect will surely make all the difference as players form their own strategy on the battlefield.

Another commendable moment is that all your troops are able to look after themselves during combat without your involvement, which may be of big help when you are overwhelmed by enemy forces. Basically, each unit behaves realistically in order to survive on its own. Depending on the situation, your troopers can take cover, rush into action, lob grenades, always looking to stay as far way from harm as possible. Such efforts also show that the programming team at Best Way are serious about installing some top-notch AI routines. Well, here's hoping. We all know how difficult it is to establish decent AI and good pathfinding in real-time strategies nowadays. Similarly to friendly characters, enemy AI is also being scrupulously worked at. Every single AI-controlled unit can also take cover and fight on its own. This means, of course, that you'll spend a lot less time micro-managing units during heavy fire fights. This should in turn ensure that the action remains fluid and intense at all times. But to get back what I was saying, given the enemy AI's advanced routines, engaging in combat often requires more than standard tactics. If nearby guards hear the sound of gunfire, they will immediately rush into action and do their best to enclose around your squad. Once they become aware of your location, enemies will disperse into two groups - one provides covering fire, while the other attempts to flank your positions. Hm, this will obviously create many different situations on the battlefield, leaving combat open for different tactical approaches.

Right on the money, baby!

This train will never reach its intended destination.

Your team is pretty much outnumbered throughout practically every assignment. (That's why they're heroes mind you! - Ed.) Luckily, all characters can use the environment to their advantage - hiding in the grass, swimming across rivers, blowing up buildings, and so on. The high level of interactivity denotes a commendable effort to establish realistic in-game physics. To begin with, nearly everything in the background is susceptible to damage. Buildings, vehicles, and other objects, can be destroyed or dented with the right kind of firepower. During battles, you'll actually be able to see the terrain changing shape due to powerful explosions. Objects like trucks and cars can also be detonated, and players will witness shrapnel flying all over the place. Carefully rendered tank models also represent another example of well-incorporated physics. Amongst other things, tanks can smash through building walls and devastate almost anything that lies in their path. That doesn't make them indestructible though. Using the right approach, it will be possible to rupture through the tank's track, thereby effectively hindering its movement. Other vehicles, like cars, can be slowed down if you pop their tires (once you take the tires out, you'll see the wheels coming off the vehicle and rolling down the street). Apart from being able to drive a variety of land vehicles, gamers will also be welcome to operate planes and boats; both of which feature equally rewarding physics.

From the exclusive media we've seen so far, there seems to be a satisfying range of impressive visual effects on display. All maps, vehicles and character models, were designed to match that particular period. To ensure a more convincing ambiance, additional visual delicacies were put in, such as day and night cycles, enhanced particle effects, topnotch lighting, shadows, etc. All of which, by the way, presents an effective contribution to gameplay. Plainly, the visuals were tweaked to ensure a genuine atmosphere as well as an addictive and involving gameplay. Thanks to high-quality lighting and shadows, for instance, your team will get the opportunity to slip past enemy patrols more easily. Also, the ideal solution here is to shootout any streetlights in the nearby area, which will significantly increase your chances of moving in silently. Still, players are required to be cautious at all times, since there are certain factors that might give away their position; like if you're standing close to a sentry in the dark, a single flash of lightning will uncover your whereabouts.