My in-game avatar is JimmyRabbitte. I haven't used the friends system yet, but I think you can just search for people and add them on the spot. Same with making clans.
{pDs}BelligerentPimp wrote:How is it? Strengths and weaknesses? Long term playability?
The game is pretty revolutionary as far as new RTS games go. It's oriented for tactics, as opposed to most RTS games that require you to gather resources and build structures. The supply of units is based on reinforcement points, which splinter explained above. This also means however that micromanagement is a more important skill here than other games, so whether or not that's good or bad is really subjective. Another feature is tactical aide, which are also purchased with points, these ones are earned when you kill units and capture points. Tactical aide can range from dropping in airborne infantry to dropping a tactical nuke, and everything in between. This is one of the most kickass aspects of the game, it really makes it more enjoyable, especially when you're the one initiating the carpet bombings and artillery barrages
In online play, games are structured similarly to FPS games. Matches are played on continuous servers, usually with a few people on each side. Each player chooses a specific role (Infantry, Armor, Support, and Air) and teams work together to accomplish various objectives. In my opinion this is a pretty awesome way to structure the game. The only shortcoming I can think of here is that sometimes teams can be unfair, but thats usually up to the players/server admins. Another cool thing with the way the game is played, is that its so fast-paced and the tables can be turned very easily, which means you can't just stick to one strategy like other RTS games.
You move the camera around with the WASD keys, and you pan and tilt with the mouse/middle mouse button. Moving the camera feels really natural, but it takes getting used to. Same goes for the hotkeys, but that's pretty much true for every RTS, as long as you want to have good micro.
The campaign is pretty cool. At first some of the character development seemed a little tacked on, but this is because the campaign jumps around in time like a Tarantino flick. Alec Baldwin narrates the story, which is.. weird.. Some people don't like Alec Baldwin for some reason, but I think he's alright. He sounds a little melodramatic in the game though, lol.
The graphics just add on to everything good about the game. WiC is one of the prettiest things to look at today , which is odd considering how ugly war gets.
Overall I have to say the game is exemplary. Not many shortcomings come to mind, and I haven't had an unenjoyable time in either campaign or online play. I really love tactics and fast-paced combat, so this game appeals to me a lot more than more economic- and strategy-based games like SupCom. A lot of reviewers agree too, I think IGN gave it one of its highest ratings. As far as long term playability goes, sure, as long as you're that kind of person. Some people have an addictive nature and volunteer to pay for the mindless grind that is MMORPG, some people like to just run around and shoot the crap out of people, and some of us like to use our heads
. If you like strategy games, and you especially like the tactics aspect, then you'll like this game. Hell, just look at how Starcraft and CNC survive to this day. Also, WiC is already structured for organised and tournament play. It was played in the 2007 CPL games IIRC and it will probably be played in more tournaments.