The Pure Wargame

WAR IS PURE

A Review of The Pure Wargame

Quantum Quality Production’s latest strategy software to hit the market, "The

Pure Wargame", offer the same type of quality gamers have come to expect from

QQP. This hex-based strategy game explores an area of World War II seldom

discussed, much less simulated. The focus is on the strategic importance of

airborne troops. These units often were followed by a main attacking force,

so their success was vital to overall victory in the war. Five famous scenarios

are available to challenge you into changing history. Play against the

computer AI at various difficulty settings, or battle it out head to head

with a human opponent on the same PC.

The Pure Wargame (or TPW) is very similar to many other wargames out on the

market. Wargame veterans can easily jump right in and get started without

even glancing at the manual. TPW was obviously not created with the intention of

attracting new gamers to this type of game. The graphics are nothing to gawk

at, but they look sharp and don’t distract you from planning your strategy.

For boardgame war fans, the traditional icons represent each unit, but can be

toggled to symbols to make it easier for unseasoned players. Destroyed units

are simply taken off the map, no fancy animation here. QQP chose to stick to

the basics, and focused on perfecting the game engine, not covering up an

inferior engine with snazzy effects. The sound effects are great, but

extremely repetitive. When an airborne unit attacks, it produces the same

crackle of rifle fire every time. The music, however, is the most

comprehensive I have ever seen in a strategy game. On the CD-ROM version,

over 60 classical music selections play in the background! The musical scores

created by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and others take advantage of

sound cards that use wave table synthesis and sound excellent.

Gameplay remains the popular turn-based system, which gives the player ample

time to plan the next move. On a players turn, attacks, retreats, moves,

etc., are performed until all units have exhausted their energy. Air strikes can be

performed if the scenario permits it, and artillery can fire within their

limited range. Fatigue remains a factor in all units actions during the

battle, as well as morale. If this level of realism proves to be too

difficult, you can start a scenario with the fatigue effects off, but bear in

mind that your opponent will no longer experience fatigue effects either.

Before moving a unit, it can be switched between different "modes", such as

march, attack, defend, reserve, and entrenched. These modes determine the

different variables for combat and movement.

The attackers units are limited due to the fact that they are from airborne

squadrons. Troops are the mainstay, with a sprinkle of light artillery and

the occasional recon patrol. Defenders often possess a wider range of combat

types. Each unit is given a numerical strength score, that diminishes during

fighting. These strength scores are generated from actual war documents, so

the historical scenarios are quite realistic. Players will surely enjoy the

hypothetical "Operation Sea Lion" in which Germany invades lower England.

Overall, TPW is a very strong wargame for those already interested in the

strategy genre. Beginners may get frustrated too quickly to spend more than

the 3 hours or so it takes for some of the scenarios. The biggest weakness is

the lack of head to head competition through modem or net play. This has

become a standard actually set by QQP with "The Perfect General", and I was

disappointed not to see it as an option here. However, the scenarios are very

entertaining and the AI is smart enough to provide many hours of play. While

QQP still strives to create the "pure" wargame, they informed me they have no

immediate plans for future installments to TPW. In the meantime, fill your

enemies skies with thousands of small white chutes and prepare them for

occupation!

Copyright © 1995 Aaron Tarvin for infoMedia. All rights reserved worldwide.