Men of War II covers some of the most ground that has been covered in games, culture, and global history: World War II. Numerous video games, movies, TV shows, and other media depict these tales from almost every angle conceivable. Having said that, Best Way, the developer, will soon be launching their own interpretation of the World War II role-playing game genre. I had the good fortune to participate in a few of multiplayer games with developers and other players. Despite the preview's little material, I have to admit that Men of War IIfelt really distinct, profound, and inventive. I participated in three 2v2 multiplayer matches during the playtest, where I was matched with a developer and placed against another developer/press team. Every match was played in a distinct game mode and terrain.
The complexity, customization, and control that the Men of War IIpreview offers players—even at the Army choosing screen—was what first caught my attention. The preview I played allowed me to play as the US, German, and Soviet armies. There are multiple battalions available in each army, including artillery, tanks, and infantry. I tried out battalions of every kind throughout one game. Based on the developers' suggestion, I went with the US tank battalion for the first game. When I realized how many commands I could issue and how many tasks each unit could do, my mouth fell open. Each tank, for instance, carried many guns, and some of them were equipped with several kinds of ammunition. Of course, the functions of various weapons and ammunition types vary. The majority of the tanks I played with have a lighter machine gun for infantry and a primary cannon for larger vehicles.
My favorite part of the preview was also made possible by the variety of weapons, ammunition, and vehicle types that the Battalions had. I started out in an unusual-looking USA tank that could be equipped with missile salvos. My development partner used his understanding of the game and his opponent's tactics to suggest a location for setup. During these playtests, it was clear that the developers were having good rivalry. Following his advice, I launched the rocket salvo, which swiftly destroyed a few opposing tanks by taking them by surprise. Numerous vehicles with identical designations and other units with distinct specialized duties according to their real-life roles in the battle were present.
Photo courtesy of Fulqrum Publishing/Best Way
The developers of
Ensuring accuracy
and Men of War II likewise went above and above in terms of historical accuracy. They stressed how crucial it is to discover the ideal balance between total realism and pure enjoyment. I was amazed at how much real-world information they managed to include in the game without sacrificing its enjoyable gameplay. I learned that the vehicles in Men of War II are composed of several separate pieces throughout my tank game. When broken, each individual component lessens the vehicle's efficacy in a corresponding way. The cars in the game have incredible realism thanks to these little details. For instance, the Panzer 4 Model G of the German tank battalion was a larger tank than previous Panzer models in existence. The Model G in the game has larger components, which makes it a more heavier model and playstyle.An additional significant component of the game's historical origins came from multiplayer maps. Although the maps were not complete scans of real World War II battlefields, they provided realistic appearances, textures, and locations typical of the European Theater. First, we used the Combat game mode on the Borovaya River map. The traditional real-time strategic gaming that we have all grown to appreciate was offered by the combat mode. Other than taking out the enemy, there were no other goals. The map was filled with farmlands, hills, and lush green woods. It included, of course, a sizable river basin that divided portions of the map. Strong positions were taken by each force because to the excellent combination of high and low land. But these sites are dispersed over the landscape sufficiently that no location takes center stage.
Next, we engaged in Frontline gameplay on the map known as the Winter March. The Winter March, performed just as it sounds—a snowy winter scene. It made me think of Hitler's actual choice to attack the Soviet Union in the dead of winter. This was made worse by the fact that I was the German infantry battalion player. Additionally, the infantry units exhibit more of the game's complexity and adaptability. Regardless of composition, a few infantry units are included in every battalion. But the infantry battalions have far more specialized and adaptable infantry units. On each spawn, for instance, I was able to choose between mechanized infantry units, experienced riflemen, grenadiers, and SMG. The value of the troops was further highlighted in the Frontline game mode. The battlefield is divided in half by a frontline in this mode. While defending its own, each side must advance its front line into enemy territory. The problem is that the frontline can only be moved by infantry troops.
Photo courtesy of Fulqrum Publishing/Best Way
At last, we engaged in our last game using the Incursion game option on the Coast map. An interesting new spin on the traditional RTS gameplay is offered by Incursion. As one side defends, the other launches an assault. The frontline must be pushed by the assaulting team in order to envelop the defenders' numerous locations. The defenders must, of course, stop this. The Coast map did a good job of giving the match a D-Day vibe even if it lacked the cliffsides of actual Normandy. Attackers must advance inland after starting from the shoreline. The vast quantity of spots attackers must take in Incursion also considerably quickens the tempo of matches. Attackers have a certain amount of time to occupy as many spots as possible. As a result, the attacking team cannot afford to concentrate or prepare for too long in one area.
Additionally, there are a ton of contextual gameplay components in Men of War II. Infantry troops, for instance, may conceal themselves behind structures and take shelter against almost any obstacle. In the playtest's third round, I gave a squad the command to hold a home to provide cover from the approaching enemy. It was then that I discovered there are distractibility factors in the game. When I checked on the home a few minutes later, the squad and the house were vanished. reduced by enemy gunfire to atoms.
This Men of War II preview was so much fun that I am eager to go back and check out the other battalions Best Way and Fulqrum Publishing are working on. Put it on your Steam wishlist, please. Although a firm release date for the game has not yet been announced, it is anticipated to launch in 2023.
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