Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War (PC Game)

Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War (PC Game)

Reviewed by Brian Schell

This turn-based strategy game is based upon the same engine used in the Panzer General II game.  I initially wasn't expecting much from this game, as I assumed it would be "Panzer General" with different units & graphics.  Surprisingly I was right, and STILL found it to be a top-notch game. Although there are no real surprises with the game, I found the distinctive units and "personality" of the game to be enough to be entertaining and actually addictive.

The graphics are not terribly flashy, although units are animated when walking and fighting. The game is easy to learn and the units are much easier to identify and distinguish than those in the Panzer General series of games this system was based upon- all those Panzer tanks start to look alike after a while, but it's easy to tell a Fire Dragon from a Scorpion Exarch. There are over 70 different units in the game, but all are quite distinctive in design.

In the main 24 mission campaign, you play as the Eldar race battling the human Imperium and later in the game, the alien Tyranids. Your units gain experience from each battle, and grow in ability with each new experience level. The missions usually involve taking and holding certain locations on the map. There is some variety to the missions, including assassination missions and hostage rescue missions.

The key to success is the advancement of your units due to experience. An experienced unit can take on several inexperienced units with little difficulty. It's quite often to your advantage to pull back and give your units a chance to rest before pressing the battle further. Since all of your experienced troops hold over from one scenario to the next, keeping your experienced units alive can mean success or failure in all the following scenarios. Most of the missions are limited to 40 turns, but this is no major hardship- it allows plenty of time for tactical retreats and recuperation.

Effective use of support units such the Fire Dragons is also a major advantage in battle. With each attack on one of your front line troops, the support unit gets to fire a defensive round, thereby doubling your retaliation.

Overall, it's a good addition to your turn-based strategy collection, but don't look for any technical innovations here. It also seems easier to play and learn than many of the other Panzer General series of games- this is a good "First Wargame" to learn with.

Warhammer 40,000 Rites Of War

By The Learning Company / SSI

Requires: Pentium 200 w/64 Meg RAM

For More Info: http://www.ritesofwar.com