'Axis & Allies'
By: Atari
(Windows 98 - Me - XP - 2000 / ASIN: B00029QR92 / Rated: T / $49.99)
Features: 'Alix & Allies' is a real-time strategy game where you can control the armies, navies, and air power of one of 5 world powers. Campaigns change each time they're played, leading to different outcomes. Go up against history's greatest generals, including Rommel, Eisenhower, and Yamamoto. It also has an online multiplayer option.
Description: World War II is In Your Hands. Determine the fate of the world as you command the army, navy, and air force of one of the five world powers in the most dynamic WWII Real Time Strategy experience you’ve ever booted up. The start of the conflict is 1939. The end? Well, that all depends on you.
Verdict: 'Axis & Allies' has been known for the past 20 years as 'the' WWII board game. Now it has been developed into a kick ass RTS as far as I'm concerned. This game isn't your board game anymore, it has become a real concrete game Atari and TimeGate can hang their hat on! There are several modes of play from which gamers can choose from. The first is campaign mode, 24 complete missions on both sides of the war, 12 missions as the Allies, 12 missions as the Axis. This gives the player two campaign options; the opportunity to play out the war as it historically took place, or to play an alternate history version of WWII.
It's a compelling aspect of the game that not many other RTS can boast about. The World War II mode is a meta map version of the Axis & Allies board that lets players move pieces on a turn based map of the world. When a player meets an enemy he has the option to fight out the battle in a quick resolve (dice roll based on relative unit strengths) or in a Real Time Strategy format. Multiplayer can be played on LAN or internet with up to 8 players on varied terrains. Something hardcore guys will really like is that the original map editor used by TimeGate is included in the game. Another awesome feature of the game is the supply lines (the perimeter around your base where units can automatically re-supply and regenerate). All of the buildings at your base are completely mobile, you have the ability to pack up and roll your entire base towards an opponent (with the exception of Air Fields, they must be sold off and repurchased to move). This gives your men the tactical advantage of rolling your supply lines towards the enemy for quicker re-supply. In my opinion, it's a unique feature that makes the game way more strategic. The game is obviously more RTS then conventional A&A gameplay, but for anyone who expected different, there are certain aspects you will still enjoy. It's a true old fashioned beer and pretzel game!
Gerry Manners
To give yourself the chance to win your very own 'Alix & Allies' Video Game just answer this easy question: In the game name one of the tanks that England can call upon to win their battles?
Send me your answers by December 5th and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these wonderful new Video Games. Just send us an e:mail here with your answer and the subject title 'AXIS' to:
exclusivemagazine@flash.net