Dark Reign: The Future of War

"A great game caught in the middle of a strategy gaming war."

Dark Reign was a great game. A lot of people may disagree, but I have my reasons. The game was released in 1997 along side with Total Annihilation, Dark Colony, and a whole slew of strategy games that were just waiting for you to pick them off the store shelves. Unfortunately, Dark Reign (DR) never really got the attention it deserved. Most of the games that were released in 97 were mediocore at best. Very few of them stood out. Very few RTS games were as good as Dark Reign and Total Annihilation. Most people prefered Total Annihilation, and left DR in the trenches, even though the game got great reviews. Perfect example of an underdog. Allow me to explain:

STORY
It is in the far future, the earth government formerly knows as the JDA became the Imperium of the universe. (evil, yada yada yada) The corrupted government sent convicts to colonize space. As the colonized universe got vast, the Imperium was worried. To regulate these people, they were injected with a virus that allowed them a maximum age of 25. This virus is passed down from generation to the next. Eventually, they sorta got ticked off and became the Freedom Guard, and fought against the evil Imperium with many worlds aiding them. (that's how I remember the story. It's very good though) Oh yeah, and they also poisoned the water supply on most of the planets to regulate and be in total control.

GRAPHICS
Sharp. That's all I can say. The game ran very smoothly, and the graphics were crisp and clear, although no match for the mighty 3-D engine of TA (total annihilation). The only complaint I have is that some of the units were not very well animated, or lack there of. And the firing rate of the units is... extremely hasty. The terrain looked great though and the Super Weapons' effects for both sides were amazing. (just have a glance at the Imperium's vortex blowing everything up...)

SOUND/MUSIC
The sound is good and all, but nothing special. The voice acting was quite adequate and the weapon effects were pretty good. The thing that really stands out is the musical score. Activision's games are usually very nicely presented (with huge manuals and cool boxes) and this game's music proves that it matches that high standard. It's a combination of Modern techo with classical music, and it's quite effective to say the least.

GAMEPLAY
This is where the games shines. You collect resources (water and taelon), sell it for money and fund your war. A whole bunch of great sci-fi units to go with the game, DR has to have great AI to uphold the gameplay. To this day, I have honestly seen very few video games' AIs that matches those of Dark Reign. You can order your units to scout (go around fast and running away quickly), harass (go around finding enemy, take pot shots and run like hell), or search and destroy (you know). That's not even the tip of the iceberg. On one mission, I kept on sending tanks across this vital bridge to assault the enemy base. After 2 attacks, I found myself stunned as I watched the AI's newly built turrets next to the bridge incinerate my forces. The AI is smart... VERY smart. Good stuff overall.

REPLAY
With skirmish/custom missions, a long campaign that has 2 seperate perspectives (freedom guard and Imperium), and a pretty robust map editor (almost as good as Star Craft's), this game lasted quite a while for me.

If you do get a chance, pick this one up from the bargin bin. It's worth a try definately, if only for the amazing AI. Seriously an underdog.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/04/01, Updated 11/04/01