R.U.S.E. Demo

The real-time strategy genre is saturated by C&C and Starcraft clones, so much so that every new release practically uses most of the same rules in its gameplay. While the aforementioned titles are extremely good and they deserve to be at the top of the food chain, a little diversity is always welcomed, especially in a genre such as RTS, which encourages clever tactics and logical thinking.

R.U.S.E. is a one-of-a-king real-time strategy game that comes with an almost entirely different view on the genre, which means that most of what you get to experience is original. While it may take you a while to get accustomed to the new rules, it is also a joy to be considered a newcomer once more, especially when the rewards for getting better are as motivating as they are in R.U.S.E..

The singleplayer mode does not have too much of a story, but it does feature a few scenarios and campaigns. All of the action takes place during the second World War, so the factions that are part of the conflict and the units you get to utilize on the battlefield are recognizable. On the other hand, the real fun lies in the multiplayer mode, because it is much more satisfying to make use of the game’s mechanics when another person is involved, than having to trick the A.I..

In essence, each nation has a specific list of special abilities that can come in handy during the skirmishes. Most of these involve deception and traps, so it is vital that you choose the right moment to deploy them and create the appropriate distraction, otherwise your opponent might guess your intentions. Ranging from ambushes, dummy units, and surprise aerial attacks, there are plenty of dirty tricks to be used in battle, all of which have a chance to end the match on the spot.

There are plenty of other gimmicks you can make use of in the campaign mode, including research, which allows you to unlock new units and technologies. Speaking of which, the technical aspect of the game is expertly presented, thanks to the high-end graphics engine and the smooth user interface, which makes every action easy to reach and the entire control panel incredibly intuitive.

R.U.S.E. may have gambled its future on a bunch of daring mechanics, but it managed to win the lottery. Hence, if you are looking for a solid strategy game and you do not mind a few new ideas thrown in for good measure, then R.U.S.E. should definitely be on top of your list.