Order of War Demo

Coming up with the right strategy for the incoming battle used to be the job of highly decorated generals and it decided the fates of thousands of people. Now, video gamers have the same power over their virtual troops and they can also devise ingenious tactics to employ on the battlefield, only without all the death and agony that usually comes with real wars.

Order of War is a real-time strategy game that features a more cinematic take on the war and very little micromanagement involved in the skirmishes, given that the units cannot be selected individually, nor trained in the usual RTS manner. Hence, while some substance is lost in the process, you are still left with a very good-looking and atmospheric experience, with enough interactivity involved not to be mistaken for a movie.

The creators did not strain too hard when it comes to the story either, since the main campaign and the entire setting of the game revolves around the dusty old World War II and some of the more recognizable battles that took place around Europe. As a player, you get to control the Nazi, Soviet and US forces, depending on your preferences and the battle you participate in. In the skirmish matches, you are free to choose one of the tree factions and make full use of their unique units.

Order of War is not a classic hardcore strategy title and it doesn't want to be one either, which is why it wouldn't be fair to judge it as one. You buy your units instead of training them and they get stronger the more money you spend on them, thus giving you the upper hand in battle. Upgrades are also available and they can be used to increase the attributes of your infantry, artillery or vehicle squads, whether it's range, damage or the ability to fire more accurately.

The visual quality is one of the strong points as well, since the cinematic nature of the battles practically begs you to simply right-click on the area you wish to attack and watch the skirmish unfold in silence. The beautiful models and special effects are mesmerizing to witness, although the shadows are a bit lacking and a bit more work could have went into the animations.

Strategy enthusiasts should probably stay away from Order of War, since it is about as deep and intricate as a coloring book. On the other hand, if you are only interested in having a bit of fun and watching beautiful explosions scar the French countryside, there is plenty of fun to be had with this game.