Yes, the artificial intelligence is that predictable.Īnd then there's gameplay itself. The computer-controlled unit deployment schemes you must use seldom make sense, until you consider that if you were allowed to control unit placement, the battles would be even less interesting. Unfortunately, rather than providing variety, campaign battles quickly become repetitive.
The campaign and random scenario generator should add replay value. Strangely, the ability to command from higher organizational levels (a feature in the Battleground series) has been excluded from East Front, a game that practically cries out for it. The historical scenarios are clearly the best part of the game, yet some of them are so huge, only the most patient and dedicated gamer will want to invest the time needed to plow through a corps-level battle - platoon by platoon. The confusing multiple-phase turns have been replaced with a more straightforward turn sequence. On top of that, there are significant improvements, such as a more intuitive interface and options for added realism. With East Front, TalonSoft has built on experience from its Battleground series and added features that many wargamers requested. There's also a scenario builder, map editor, and order-of-battle editor. It features more than 50 historical scenarios, a campaign mode, a random scenario generator, and a variety of multiplayer options, including Internet, network, e-mail, hot seat, and modem play. On the plus side, East Front is the most visually impressive turn-based wargame ever produced, and the sound effects and music are noteworthy enhancements. Points for holding objectives and destroying enemy units are totaled at battle's end to determine the level of victory. Each hex equals 250 meters, and a turn represents six minutes of combat. Parts of it are exceptionally well done while other parts tend to cancel out its positive aspects.Įast Front is a turn-based game played on hex grid maps with platoon-sized units.
Now on version 1.06 (the subject of this review), the game is closer to fulfilling its original potential. Since then, TalonSoft has been working to repair the damage, releasing a series of patches and a supplement to the manual. The chief complaints were an inadequate manual, some questionable design decisions, and features that didn't function properly. When East Front was released before Christmas last year, wargamers hoping for a serious treatment of the epic World War II struggle between Germany and Russia were disappointed when the game failed to live up to TalonSoft's usually high standards.
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