Iron Storm

"A spiffy shooter with a lot to offer"

Iron Storm is a new shooter that takes place in an alternate future where World War I has continued into the 1960s. The game can be played in either 3rd person view (much like Max Payne) or the standard 1st person view. Switching between the two is quick and effortless.

Graphics 8/10

First off, I must say that the engine's graphics blew me away. There are few blocky, 90 degree corners that are often found in the Quake III engine. Trenches curve around the map, and the explosions are spectacular. The maps are very well made, cluttered with debris, bodies, and bunkers. I honestly felt like I wandering a World War I-era battlefield. The character models are well done and well animated. Your character looks truly amazing in 3rd person view.

Having said that, the character skins (besides your character) are just plain bad. The enemy soldier wear plain tan uniforms while friendlies wear navy blue. The skins have almost zero detail, they look like they are just placeholders from a beta version. In 1st person view, the weapon models and animations are awful. The weapon models and skins in Quake II were better. The reload animations are buggy and incomplete. The weapon models, skins, and animations found in any good quality Halflife mod (like Counter-Strike or Day of Defeat) are far superior.

I desperately wanted to give this category a 10, but I just couldn't.

Gameplay X/10

Realism nuts should go elsewhere, you will be disappointed with Iron Storm. Those looking for an emphasis on gameplay instead of realism will be pleased. While realism is not throw completely out the window, the emphasis is no doubt on fun and gameplay.

Audio 6/10

The audio is well done but unspectacular. Weapons sounds are good but lack a certain something that makes them believable. Music is well done but completely forgettable. Ambient noise is excellent and adds a lot to the game.

Voice acting is on par with most other computer games, which isn't saying a whole lot. Communications with others in game is decent but the opening mission briefing is horrible.

Controls 9/10

Controls are completely configurable and snappy. My only complaint is that the mouse is sluggish in the save/load and configuration menus. The hot points are small and sometimes difficult to hit.

Story 10/10

Oh my God! An FPS with a story! The background story is original and detailed and progresses nicely through out the game. While it's no RPG, the story is a quantum leap over most other shooters. My one complaint here is that the opening mission briefing throws you in head first, and is poorly written and acted.

A fake newspaper is included in the box. A big thumbs up for including this. I remember when games frequently came with such extras and not just a CD insert containing a keyboard reference.

Challenge and Replayability 8/10

Iron Storm is extremely challenging, even on the easiest difficulty level (three levels are included). You will have very limited ammo and will be greatly out-numbered.

While the game is fairly linear, there are nonessential places to explore and just walking around the maps and taking in the sights is worth a replay.

Technical Issues

I noticed no major bugs or crashing issues.

Overall 8/10

My few complaints are minor and the only thing holding back a perfect score is the poor skins and 1st person weapons. Certainly worth the $40 I payed.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/23/02, Updated 10/23/02