War Plan Pacific nicely straddles the sometimes contradictory concepts of realism and accessibility. With a simple interface and gameplay that's focused more on basic essentials, the game proves that you don't need reams and reams of technical data in order to be successful. It's true that IGN would like to have seen a few more features here and there but, overall, War Plan Pacific is a welcome addition to the wargame catalog that makes good decisions in terms of sacrificing details and streamlining gameplay. Sadly, the AI isn't likely to be particularly challenging to the types of players who are interested in this game in the first place, and the lack of a matchmaking service means you'll have to set up matches outside of the game.
Presentation - 8.0
Graphics - 6.5
Sound - 5.5
Gameplay - 7.5
Lasting Appeal - 7.5
Overall -
Shrapnel Games has released a new patch for its strategy title War Plan Pacific, now available for download. The update brings the game to v1.0.3 and adds the new game mode Play By E-Mail.
War Plan Pacific is simply the latest wargame to demonstrate that the genre has moved well beyond the grognard mainstays of hexes and combat resolution tables. It is a quick playing and transparent game with an elegance that puts a lot of larger budget games to shame.
Brush text with greatness! Shrapnel Games, publisher of the critically acclaimed naval wargame, War Plan Pacific, is hosting a chat with John Hawkins of KE Studios on January 27th at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST. John is the lead developer and designer of War Plan Pacific, so it will be a great time to ask him questions like, "Why can't we firebomb the Japanese mainland with incendiary bats?" Yes, the US actually did toy around with explosive flying mammals but realized that since you can't really train bats there's no guarantee they'd end up where you'd want them.
