Soldiers: Heroes of World War II

"Real-Time World War II Strategy on Steroids"

Ever since the movie "Saving Private Ryan" there has been a huge increase in the World War II based game genre. Soldiers: Heroes of World War II is another one of these games. It is a RTS (Real-Time Strategy) with a few little improvements. In this game you can control American, British, Russian and German forces in deadly combat. You can control your forces in a single group or control them individually. As commander you have infantry, tanks and various amounts of firepower at your disposal.

Graphics: 8/10

The graphics are very clean and fluid at times. When too many troops or tanks come on the screen it gets a little slow. Explosions can look blocky
and unrealistic. However, the way people look when they get shot looks pretty good. I like when soldiers are hit with grenades or rockets. They fly in the air or are just pulverised, limbs and all. The vehicles look very authentic and move as one would think a World War aged vehicle would. The environment you fight in is very well done. There are a few times where trees look a bit blocky. Overall, graphics are done well in Soldiers.

Sound: 8/10

Sound is good for what this type of game needs. The explosions are done fairly well. When soldiers get shot you hear there groans. Tanks and other vehicles sound pretty much like you would expect. I did wish this game could have strayed away from the classical music, but it does fit the times.

Game-play: 7/10

Code-masters could have made this a little easier. Training doesn't even begin to help you for even the first missions. Most people will give up after a few minutes, but hard gamers will step up and clean house. Quick saves are a must and I mean that. Battles can turn in just a matter of seconds. The fact that you can directly control your soldier or vehicle is enough to buy the game.
I wish the soldiers not under your direct control were smarter. Riding in vehicles might be challenging for some, but patience will get you killing in no time.

Overall: 8/10

With the ability to sneak around over the whole landscape and systematical destroy all enemy forces in your way makes this a hardcore RTS gamers trial by ordeal.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/30/04