World in Conflict: Soviet Assault

This Is The purest example of an expansion, because it does just that: it expands World in Conflict's campaign with six missions. These aren't bolted-on afterthoughts; they bring humanity to the faceless Commies you were blasting in the main game.

The ability to take the role of the Soviets doesn't change how the game plays at all. The majority of fans will be lapping this expansion up, although no doubt there'll be a minority who might bemoan the lack of real progress made by Massive. This, of course, is pretty much the case with every expansion.

Along with six new single-player missions, two new multiplayer maps have been added. The single-player additions weave a Soviet-oriented story around the main US one, telling us what the invaders are thinking, doing and feeling. This side of the story is dramatic and even WIC veterans will find it worth their while to see how events progress.

The first mission shows how the NATO started the war, by sneaking a team of Spetsnaz (NATO special forces) into a Russia command post in West Berlin, prior to invading. This mission is a great introduction for new players, as the battle is exciting without forcing the player to work too hard to win. Players with a bit of experience will be all over it within seconds, but as an introductory level, it does its job superbly. Things then move back into familiar territory with the invasion of Seattle signalling the beginning of the US campaign.

Sales Problem

The multiplayer side has been left pretty much intact, with a few minor but no major changes being made. The new maps are interesting, and bring the total number of official ones to 25.

There's only one problem with this expansion: buying it. In the UK Soviet Assault is only available with the main game, in World in Conflict: Complete Edition. Even Amazon and Play.com only sell WIC:CE, leaving Steam and Direct 2 Drive the only outlets selling Soviet Assault solo. If you know who at Ubisoft is to blame for this decision, let us know so we can berate them.

While we are recommending this expansion because it fleshes out the original and gives it a fresh perspective, it doesn't contain anything that will cause previously unconvinced players to get involved.