Review: Divide, conquer with 'Act of War'
By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service
If you're looking to blow off some steam after a long day, a new and exceptionally good war game lets you wield weapons of mass destruction.
Atari's "Act of War: Direct Action" tells of an international conflict spawned by an energy crisis.
Penned by best-selling author and military expert, Dale Brown, "Act of War: Direct Action" is a real-time strategy game for the PC, set against a backdrop of modern terror networks, energy crises and conspiracies.
Similar to strategy titles such as the "Command and Conquer" series, the game features more than an hour of live-motion footage, such as television news broadcasts.
Despite some questionable acting, the effect works as it fits the game's premise.
This geopolitical thriller, which requires a DVD-ROM drive to play, puts players in charge of an elite counterterrorist troupe, Task Force Talon, dispatched to defend cities such as Washington and London, England.
You must assign commands to the units as well as fund the initiative by taking control of oil refineries and banks.
Players, the latter of which results in better weapons, control towers, healing centers and vehicles.
"Act of War" features three unique and well-balanced factions: Task Force Talon, the U.S. Army and the secretive Consortium. Each side has its own buildings, vehicles and weapons, and its set of strengths and weaknesses. You can play as either faction in the multiplayer modes against others over the Net.
Atari's "Act of War" for the PC retails for $49.99 and carries a "Teen" rating.
