Developed
by Digital Reality and published by CDV and 10Tencle Studios, War Front: Turning
Point is a WWII RTS with a slight twist. Well, make that a twist that spirals
out of control. The game’s alternate future storyline and crazy weaponry work to
set it apart from the doldrums of the WWII RTS genre. For the most part, they do
help make the game compelling and add a unique touch to it. However, too much of
the game falls into “same ol’ same ol’” grounds and comes off as a bit
unoriginal. Still, it does offer a crazy storyline and some great weaponry, so
fans of the genre who don’t mind the too common elements might want to check
this one out.
In War
Front: Turning Point, an alternate timeline is presented where Hitler was
assassinated in the earlier days of World War II. This leads Germany to undergo
a transformation, ending the extermination of innocent people and working to
develop their weapons technology, since the world is still embroiled in a huge
war. This leads to an arms race of sorts, as the Soviets and the Allied forces
begin to develop their technology as well, and all three sides are forced to
fight it out.
In War
Front: Turning Point you play as the Germans, Allies and the Soviets, who have
been separated into their own entity in the new global conflict following
Hitler’s assassination. Each of them has their own unique means of firepower,
and some of them can be pretty crazy, but also awesome. The Germans develop
their zeppelin technology into some pretty intense air-to-ground weapons and
created mech-like vehicles, the Soviets create ice cannons that shoot liquid
nitrogen at enemies, and the Allies have developed bombs capable of creating
earthquakes and shield generators.
The
concept behind War Front: Turning Point is pretty off-the-wall, but that is the
best thing about the game. It is pretty surreal to be able to fly around in a
battle zeppelin in a WWII game, or transport your troops via an underground
craft in order to get the drop on them. Of course, you’ll still get the basic
staples of a World War II-ish battlefield, like tanks and foot soldiers and
fighter planes. The alternate timeline helps to set the game apart from the rest
of the pack in a genre that has sadly become “a dime a dozen”.
Graphically, the game is great, and is configured to run on a myriad of systems
with different specs. Higher-end PCs will be treated to a nice amount of eye
candy, including detailed vehicles, great environments and excellent special and
explosion effects. The music and sound effects are pretty standard fare for the
genre
Unfortunately, the game is sadly familiar territory for anyone who has played a
WWII RTS. The game does put an extra emphasis action elements and maintaining a
high level of battlefield intensity, but the gameplay is a little too common.
There are hero elements (been done), a little bit of RPG-stuff thrown in (also
been done), and other elements that have become a little too comfortable in the
genre.
Therefore,
it ultimately boils down to how much of a fan you are of the genre. While War
Front: Turning Point is very solid and intriguing RTS game, the gameplay still
feels a little bit derivative overall. However, if you are a huge fan of the
genre and can overlook repetition, then you should definitely check out its
unique concept and cool experimental units.
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Gameplay: 7.5
War Front:
Turning Point is a solidly built RTS, with tons of action and pretty easy
controls. The new units are pretty fun and unique. Unfortunately, the rest of
the gameplay feels a little too derivative.
Graphics: 8.5
The game’s graphics
are great, with tons of details on the unit models and in the environments.
Also, the game’s special effects are excellent, and the specifications are
pretty adaptive to many systems.
Sound: 7.0
The sound effects
and voice acting are decent and not uncommon to what you’d find from other
titles in the genre.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 7.5
War Front:
Turning Point is a pretty interesting game, and the new units are things that
you probably haven’t seen in a WWII RTS. However, most of the gameplay is pretty
regular stuff for an RTS.
Multiplayer: 7.5
War Front:
Turning Point has some pretty decent multiplayer options, allowing you to
customize all kinds of factors for the match, like random drops and weather
effects. Aside from the skirmish mode there is a conquest mode similar to
Battlefield 1942, only in RTS form.
Overall: 7.5
War Front:
Turning Point is a pretty fun RTS with some interesting units and story
elements. However, the game still ends up being a little derivative and runs
together with a lot of other titles in the genre.
