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Blitzkrieg 2

	Author: Jim Cobb Article Type: PC Game Review Publication Date: 11/30/2005 Developer: Nival Interactive Publisher: CDV Entertainment Related Categories: World War II, Air Combat, Ground Combat, Real-time, Armor Combat, North Africa, Strategic, Europe

World War II tactical 3D games are eye-catching and exciting to play. Older gamers can enjoy them in lighter moments but, more importantly, these products could entice the younger crowd into more serious study of the conflict that still resonates in our world. Thus, the grain must be separated from the chaff constituting most games of this genre. CDV’s Blitzkrieg stood out in the earlier attempts as a game that was the most realistic. Granted, this statement is not a ringing endorsement as Blitzkrieg still had “click fest” and “tank rush” elements, causing serious gamers to tear their hair. For all that, it was a beacon of hope indicative of how the genre could evolve. Perhaps the sequel, Blitzkrieg 2, could be another progressive, innovative step forward.

Installation and Documentation

Using four CDs, Blitzkrieg 2’s two GB worth of files installs rather quickly, although it does install the regrettable Starforce copy protection system. The in-game tutorial is a repeat of the game’s predecessor but still does a good job teaching basic commands and concepts. The 72-page manual does a very good job explaining the in-depth aspects of the interface and game mechanics, going into great detail about multi-play. The in-game encyclopedia gives a fairly good view of units. Its accuracy is ironic giving the idiosyncrasies of play to be described below.

Quite Fetching

The graphics have been improved. The zoom feature allows vehicle details to be seen very clearly and infantry units need no longer look like ants. In fact, the precious binocular-carrying officers of infantry squads can be distinguished from their men. Aircraft and landing craft are nicely detailed. Movement and fire animation is extremely well done and are integral to play. The 3D terrain and structures are beautiful as well as useful. Of course, players can “remodel” terrain and buildings to taste by appropriate application of high explosives and tank treads. Terrain damage is spectacular and permanent. Explosions and fires are nicely done and wrecks remain on the map until rolled over by another vehicle. Night missions have a delightfully eerie feel.

A German ground attack creates spectacular effects.	Germans and Russians struggle in night and snow.

German forces round a bend with the information panels hidden.

The information window below the main map shows the same attention to detail as the battle map. Vehicles have even more detail with armor values shown per side. Each weapon is shown with its damage, armor piercing values are shown along with ammunition levels. The ever-present “health bar” shows the status of a vehicle or unit. When more than one unit is selected, only the health bar is visible. The information windows and other peripheral graphics such as the mini-map can be hidden to show a larger battle map. Small tags on battle map units show orders and status in terms of critical but non-fatal damage and ammunition depletion.

Sound effects are all exciting with realistic booms, rat-a-tat-tat, and screams. One can hear the bricks crumble when a tank enters a house. The voice acting is very nice and not as annoying as is usually the case with games of this genre; in fact, they are important tools for assessing the situation. The German and English colloquialisms are slick; another writer can comment on the Russian.