World War Zero: Iron Storm

This is World War Zero: Iron Storm, a brilliant take on a war that never happened. With a mix between gameplay styles like tactical strategy and trench warfare, this alternative 1964 follows a world where World War One never ended and all hell has broken loose across eastern Europe. You are tasked with fixing this issue, as any good game would have you do. If you want to play a game that tries something new, switches it up with unique character, world, and war equipment designs, let’s say I have good news and that you should keep reading as I convince you to play this game. Let’s jump into it.

Gameplay

As I stated, this game has a mix of gameplay that varies from trench warfare that you could get in Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, and tactical warfare that you could find in Medal of Honor. This game is one of those titles where you are the only person who can shoot a gun apparently, and it’s solely up to you to throw a wrench in the enemies plans. How do you do this? With a bunch of guns and a tremendous amount of ammo.

The combat in this game is punishing, as it doesn’t take much for you to die. There is little in the way of story, cutscenes, or even waypoints, so much of your time will be spent exploring the battlefield trying to figure out where you’re going. Some would consider that a weakness in game design, but it unironically makes this one of the most challenging and unique games that doesn’t hold your hand through it.

I found the game difficult, definitely, but there was realism in not being told exactly where to go and not being near immortal, able to take 30 bullets directly to the face and survive after a short breather.

Visuals

The visuals of this game are not exactly pretty, but it definitely has a unique take on combat. Due to it being set in an alternate history, they have taken a lot of creative licenses with how things are designed and presented, and I cannot say that I hate it. There is something unique about its look and presentation, that many other games don’t really manage. There is almost something similar to Killzone about it, and that game absolutely slaps. The environments have depth, but also capture the mayhem of war and the inherent difficulty in determining what to do and where to go.

Story

You take control of US Army Lieutenant James Anderson, a one man army and unhinged killing machine who is sent to destroy the Russo-Mongolians chances at developing a deadly weapon that could devastate the world. Unbeknownst to you, there are others who would seek to see your goals accomplished, but perhaps not for the altruistic means that they imply.

While you are out there in your suicide mission, you will have to rely on all your training and all your mad ideas to get through this hell they call war.

Pros

• Interesting Story
• Unique Character

Cons

• Visuals don’t hold up
• Animations are few and far between