Beginning by selecting the chosen campaign and nationality (each with their own victory conditions), players are given a large world map littered with cities, troops and resources to manage. Undoubtedly a little overwhelming at first, the final release will likely feature a significant tutorial of some sort, but here in this preview build Electronic Theatre is left to muddle through. Thankfully, near everything is clearly labelled and fairly intuitive. City commands can be initiated through the City Menu, as would be expected, and other conditions and variables behave much the same way; decide on the appropriate action and tackle that issue in itself, before moving onto the next decision. Making History II: The War of the World doesn’t have the pace of Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution, instead taking it’s inspiration from that game’s parent series, the elaborate and incredibly popular Sid Meier’s Civilization.
You’re something of a nerd. When asked what you read, you say “history.” What upset you about the movie Valkyrie wasn’t Tom Cruise, but the liberties taken with the actual facts. You regularly brag that were you Stalin (as you wiggle your thick mustache), you would have made a pre-war land-grab for Africa. Muzzy Lane Software understands you, unlike your so-called “friends”. “We know of your desires,” Muzzy whispers softly in your ear. “We know you yearn for more than just a wargame, but a mature, full-featured simulator of the mid-20th century.” Muzzy slips a disc from its coat and slyly passes it to you. It’s labeled Making History II: The War of the World. A shiver runs through your body. Can it be?
The origin of Making History II: the War of the World is somewhat unusual. It was designed as an learning mechanism for teachers of modern history and has since evolved both in ideology and intent into the game presented today. This origin marks the game as something a little different from the majority of hardcore strategy games. However, switching goals through development is fraught with danger in games development and whilst this background does give the game a unique soul, it does not guarantee good gameplay. Indeed, it is with fevered hope for the developers sake, this is simply one of its stage of evolution.
Perhaps it’s the strength of the reputation championed by Making History II: The War of the World’s closet peers was convincing enough however, as while the game mimics much of The Creative Assembly’s Empire: Total War, it adds a much more complex financial system to the formula. The Creative Assembly’s Total War series has always been about aggressive dominance, and while that is the ultimate goal of Making History II: The War of the World, getting there is a much more complicated set of negotiations. In fact, while the combat and forces employment is largely based on that of Empire: Total War, the monetary system is closer to that of Sid Meier’s Civilisation.
wish i was better at playing RISK this might help me get into the game more :D