Video Game Review: Act of War: Direct Action

Act of War or C&C, which game am I playing. Atari has done a good job improving all of the Command & Conquers. This game is literally a carbon copy of C&C, yet it is still two times better than Generals. If you like Command and Conquer, then you will like this game. I happily reward this game a 9.1 out of 10. It is a great game with excellent handle and a lot of realistic aspects as you learn the ins and outs. Here are my 10 reasons why.

For originality, I must give this game a 5. It carries a good deal of realism. However, it is very similar to C&C but far more advanced. In my opinion, there are too many games like it. The only thing that makes it a 5 and not a four is the realism.

As for the storyline, I must give this game a 9, I was very impressed because it was an original storyline that proved to have great progression; however, it is a repetitive theme that has been repeated since the real war on terrorism. Of course, it gets a 9 because Atari added a twist by going on possible energy issues which has not been looked at by any game. I love this game because I wanted to know what was next. With its various twists and surprises as you uncover and fight against new terrorist attempts, this game's storyline is not predictable. This is a more addicting storyline than C&C.

The third thing I look at a game for is playability. The system is a little used in all the C&Cs. However, it is very addicting, and some of it copies off of C&C, which has been around for a long time. However, the game play is still user friendly and easy to understand while becoming addicting. I give it an 8.

Then of course there is the question of graphics. For a PC, game I must give it a 10. They are very well done, and they are a leap beyond C&C. I would buy this game again, for it is a must have for C&C fans.

The fifth thing I would look at is the ending. I haven't beaten the game yet, so I must give it by default a 10. I can't judge something I haven't seen.

The next item would have to be extras. I must give it a 10 for extras. The saving system in the game works. The camera scroll was also a common but still great idea; I like how the camera is controlled. Each mission available becomes fun, and there are many challenging missions in the game. The solo missions are also fun to do. I like it!

As for innovation, this game features some new things. Atari tried, and I can give them an A for effort, so I give Act of War: Direct Action a 10 for all of Atari's effort to make it innovative and realistic. This game is far better than C&C Generals. The game play is sure to win your heart, and it is fun for those die-hard real-time strategists. The game play is very innovative also.

How does the game work? Storyline progression is pretty smooth, it flows. I haven't seen any real glitches, but the save the world from international terrorists theme is getting old; they should have tried something different than the over-used and abused terrorist theme. It is annoying when you love strategy games and the games have similar or like story-lines. Still, it does work. As for the keys, everything is just right, for the mouse movement is smooth and the real-time controllability is off the hook. For example: picture yourself in the heat of battle. As you are fighting, you have to get from one place to the other. The movement to focus your attacks in a battle is never glitched by a freeze and a staggering pause. It gets right to the point. As well, the AI is not stupid. I'll give them a 9.

Then, of course, there is system compatibility. You may ask, "What does that mean?" Well, I am going to tell you. Sometimes you may have a game not meant for a system. I.e. PS II port-overs are not always improved for play on the XBOX. For example, Max Payne was alright for the PS II, but there was so much they could have done for it when it ported over to the XBOX, and they didn't. Anyway, this game is a good game for the PC. I would recommend it while also giving it a 10. This game was born for the PC.

Finally, there is a question of replay ability. I would gladly play it over and over. I will probably not put this game down for a minute, so it has good replay ability. I give it a 10 for replay ability.