R.U.S.E. (Xbox)

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The battlefields of World War II, tours have been countless times in video games, both in the field of action and in the strategy, not to mention air combat games, etc. RUSE is in the field of strategy, and, of course, brings us back to the hard world conflict. Its great advantage is that it is one of the few quality proposals that are in the console market, although it is certainly a much more competitive sector in PC, where real-time strategy with very great representatives. That does not mean that the game has some merits noteworthy, highlighting the clear presentation and approach, which is unusual in the titles of this type we have seen in recent years on the consoles. Similarly, the interface control responds surprisingly well adapted to the controls, and regardless of the cursor.

This is accomplished by moving the camera toward the unity that we want to move, press a button, move to your destination, marking it on the stage, watching all the time with great accuracy where it will be displayed semi-transparent representation, so faults are eliminated so common in the transition to a world without keyboard and mouse for this genre. In any event, PlayStation 3 users should be aware that in a few days can use the Move PlayStation controller to control the game, which places it in an experience much closer control the mouse, thanks to the function pointer. In this case, select the drive to control the remote and press the button if we move more, we can regulate the size of the cursor. The other options are, in general, identical to control with traditional control either Xbox 360 or PS3, by using the different buttons included in this command.

So, which players must keep in mind is that the title resolves an ingenious way, and without trying to imitate the use of the mouse, the presence of the traditional control knobs, so it does not become an obstacle in any time, although occasionally miss a little more precision, whatever the employee control. But it is because the control system itself is imprecise, but because occasionally the game is very demanding and requires a high level of accuracy.

A good example of RUSE requirement is that even in the first battles can be won simply by using brute force to pass over, like a roller on the enemy. That simply will not work, not even in the lowest levels of difficulty, which always forces us to take a strategic approach in managing not only resources but also at the offensive, something that may seem like platitudes, but often is overlooked in the genre.

The difficulty levels are key differences, like the fact that if we choose to accept the greatest challenge we will not have reinforcements that saved us at the last moment, even the more innocent side quest can become a little hell. This is something that must be taken into account, because even though the game experience is, in itself, very similar, the big difference that comes from raised levels of difficulty makes the game experience can be very different, either because it is easy and boring, and because its proposed challenge is impossible. It is advisable to opt for the lowest level, at least until we control, but then genre fans will appreciate the presence of a really difficult.

Similarly, the missions show a good level of variety in their approach, something that becomes clear from the beginning, when the game opens its doors to the front of Tunisia, in 1942. Throughout these early missions, the game's protagonist, Joe Sheridan will escalate in the military, which will take you to be a great general in the German front in the twilight of the conflict.

We follow its story, and is a good way to bring the story and define what battles are reflected in the game. It is a good approach, and works very well, as it provides a narrative defined in scope, focusing on the protagonist and his environment, and can offer a story within the framework of the World War II, instead of tell-for the umpteenth time-that war.

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On the map, you actually mark the movements of enemy troops, but these are represented through tokens in two sizes: tanks and other heavy vehicles through wholesale or chips and infantry units supported by little. But then, what kind of information is insufficient to actually conduct an offensive-cons and it is therefore necessary to seek further clarification before going into battle. Similarly, it is important to know the intentions of the enemy in order not to be squeezed even worse, having stripped the rear defenses.

It is at this level comes the second innovation invented by Eugen Systems: cards tell of cunning that gave their name to the game often huge map of the battle area and is divided into several regions. On each, the player can activate a maximum of two tricks which can both accelerate the movement of our armored vehicles that show lures, ask to fight to the death, put a radio silence, jam radio transmissions or instead, send a spy behind enemy lines in order to have a full report on the status of enemy troops.

In effect, these tricks are acting as the skills of a hero role playing and should therefore be used to good effect: limited, our reserves of tricks does not reconstitute very quickly and very duration of the effect of these tricks is very variable ranging from a few tens of seconds or minutes ... With all that and even though on paper it does not necessarily seem so complicated to fully understand, you can believe us when you're told that the 23 missions that make up the campaign are a prerequisite before embarking on other modes game (battle, multiplayer and operation) that make up the menu for this RUSE.

The missions, as we said, are varied from the first steps we take in this game, and we have the advantage that as the story progresses and Sheridan has more troops under his command, won in a variety of units, resources, bases, etc., implying indirectly that the policy approaches also are becoming more complex. The pace of play, yes, is not exactly giddy, even may be a bit slow. In some ways, this reflects the slow but real movement, but hinders the ability to react to unexpected events, and forces us to be prepared for multiple contingencies.

Therefore, the player must always have a card up his sleeve, and prepare the offensive without neglecting the defenses, so that the strategic approach is complete, as we said before launching into crowd with all the resources at the enemy and will not work , as in real war, is a suicidal move.

This rather slow pace is something that is not surprising in most relevant representatives in the genre, but it is strange that there has been rapid in conception Consolers. Do not think, however, that while troops are deployed with his arms crossed, or watching the scenery, then we must have resources for intelligence work.

As mentioned, it is very difficult to react to an unexpected movement of the enemy, but that they are spies: we can send them behind enemy lines to gather information, not forgetting to intercept and decode enemy communications, etc. Furthermore, in a sense, the intelligence work can also be conceived as a system of technical improvements, as we can report improvements such as increasing the speed of movement of troops, without going any further. But beware, we must also take account of the spying enemy, and find ways to cheat, how to deploy some troops to an area, but real preparation for another offensive.

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This is an interesting addition to the suite playable, no doubt, for although the use of espionage will not give in any moment of victory, their neglect it can be a humiliating failure. If you know where exactly the enemies are, and how many resources available to you, our decisions will be much stronger, which is essential in a game that forgives some mistakes, and where even small details in the configuration details of the troop may involve are detected and destroyed, or until they reach their goal and give us victory. For example, you need to know to put the foot in places where they can hide, such as forests and villages, waiting to be time to attack, we must also monitor radio communications, because they can be detected by .

As the game progresses, the difficulty remains, because although we have many more resources and options for deployment on the battlefield, there are more elements to consider. This implies that, although at a certain moment, we can create our bases, we also have to establish supply lines, and that's one more factor to consider. Once we have checked and made in our strategic routine, the fact is that they represent an undeniable advantage. Interestingly, one realizes this more when he starts a new game, betting on a higher difficulty level, and discovers that overcoming the first mission without the use of bases makes them much more difficult, because you have become accustomed to them.

What does not change at any time is the general slow pace of RUSE, but it is interesting to see how the tension builds as the game progresses and objectives are more difficult. It is not a game for his frenetic pace, but the challenge comes to ask the player, but this, of course, could end up playing against the title and the public console.

Fans of RTS are more accustomed to the PC, users may want to try the genre on the console (but not normal to it, or having an interest) will feel somewhat disappointed by his deliberate style. But there is more to consider: the first hours with the game are misleading, since RUSE starts very slow, and hides his letters will show their real potential costs, and that makes the first few hours of play does not serve as a sample of what is actually offered for more than two thirds of its extensive development. The multiplayer, competitive, shows these real options strategy much more direct way, but in this case the truth is that it is somewhat lacking in options and rhythm to convince the veteran fans, who probably will opt to continue with the items multiplayer strategy game of its reference.

In the technical field, although there are no graphical problems in the form of slowdowns, yes there is a generation of polygons very obvious at times, what makes different elements and even the stage can appear suddenly on the screen. It is not spectacular, and certainly not one of the leading games of the moment, but manages to fulfill its objectives, and adapts well to the genre without excessive luxuries. For its part, paragraph sound is more solid, especially the well-made effects, rather than the soundtrack, although it is dramatic and well adapted, is somewhat behind the strength of the explosions, sound engine , etc.

Conclusions:

RUSE has a slow pace, but not only in their battles, but when opened to the player. It costs to go giving us all the units and actual combat options, so that the first impression is somewhat distressing to veterans of the genre ... but it needs time to let the story tell us, and with it came the new playable. Only then is shown as: a challenging game, well made, but with some first steps are awkward, today unforgivable in a market that moves very fast, and a group of players with little open to give second chances either because the game is not convincing at first, or because the demo was not as juicy as they expected. Its single player campaign is very attractive, yes, although unable to penetrate competitive multiplayer as well.