In the majority of strategy games victory is only attainable through destruction and elimination. Air Command 3.0 is a strategy game in which violence creates failure, not success.
A rather unique game, Air Command 3.0 belongs to the strategy sub-genre of the air traffic control sim. The player is responsible for directing air traffic at one of ten airports through all manner of environmental conditions. Winning the game is dependent on those aircraft landing safely, and though it features a great UI that makes Air Command 3.0 highly accessible, there is a lot more to getting those aircraft on the ground then just a click or two.
Air Command 3.0 does an excellent job of setting the mood. Digitized vocal acknowledgements from the pilots will make you feel like you're up in the tower at Hartsfield, and realistic doppler precipitation patterns will make your local weatherman jealous. Four levels of difficulty ensure that everyone from professionals who do this kind of thing for a living to those that are afraid to fly will find the right amount of challenge. There is even an option to simulate communication difficulty with the pilots, adding yet another layer to the challenge. An editor to create your own airports is also included, making it possible to create any airport in the world.
Gamespy said it best of Air Command 3.0. "Have you ever seen those jugglers that juggle three objects and then suddenly have three or four more thrown into the mix? That's what it feels like during the rush hour in Air Command 3.0. Just when you think you've got the situation under control, it changes. However, when you get it right, it's very rewarding, and when you get it wrong, you're left with the mix of anger and desire to improve that is sometimes called addiction."
Isn't it time you try something other than panzers, bowmen, or cows armed with potato guns in your strategy game? Air Command 3.0 normally retails for $39.95 but can be had for only $33.95. It is available for Windows and can be purchased either as a physical product shipped to your door anywhere in the world or as a download. An expansion pack featuring thirty-four additional airports is also available.
What the world needs are more wargames based on Pink Floyd albums. Okay, so ProSIM's The Falklands War: 1982 might not be, but we dare you to play it and not want to pop in The Final Cut.
The Falklands War: 1982 is a professional grade simulation of the 1982 conflict between Great Britain and Argentina over the Falklands/Malvinas islands. Lasting a little over two months long it was a great victory for the British, who had to retake the islands using a hastily assembled invasion fleet, little air support, and do this far away from friendly British territory.
A command-time simulation all action takes place in pausable real-time. Using the same engine that powers ATF: Armored Task Force and Raging Tiger: The Second Korean War, this is an extremely detailed, high fidelity model of modern warfare on a subject that has rarely been gamed.
Wargamers will appreciate the level of detail presented in The Falklands War: 1982. Units are company to brigade sized, and the battlefields are true high resolution topographical maps of the real battlefields. There is a full historic campaign along with "what if?" variants. Dynamic weather presents interesting additional challenges to your virtual command, and the ability to set unit quality skill sets opens up a high level of replayability. A huge weapon platform database with a strong emphasis on infantry fighting since that's what the majority of the conflict involved.
We're not going to sugarcoat it, The Falklands War: 1982 is not a game that you can just jump into, start clicking, and expect to win. It is a game that will challenge you, but it is also a very rewarding experience. You'll come to learn real world tactics, and quite a bit of history about a conflict that has largely been forgotten about. What also makes it unique is the very nature of the carnage; this was not a war won by precision missile strikes and high tech drones, this was a war won by the grunt on the ground. Death was personal, a bayonet to the gut or a bullet in the head.
Jim Werbaneth, designer of the best Sea Lion game ever, Britain Stands Alone, and editor of Line of Departure quarterly said of The Falklands War: 1982, "One of the highest forms of praise that one can offer a wargame, on computer or cardboard, is to say that it makes sense. This one makes sense, a lot of sense at that."
What also makes a lot of sense is picking it up on sale. Normally retailing for $44.95, in August it can be purchased for only $37.95. It is available for Windows as either a physical product or a download.
Please visit the monthly specials page at the Gamers Front to directly purchase either (or both!) games featured this month.
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