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Rush For Berlin

	Author: Lloyd Sabin Article Type: PC Game Preview Publication Date: 5/25/2006 Developer: Stormregion Publisher: Deep Silver Related Categories: World War II, Ground Combat, Real-time, Europe

Rush for Berlin is a real-time strategy game that is set during the closing years of World War II (1944-1945) on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. Players can choose to command Allied, Soviet, German, or French partisan forces (the French campaign will be a bonus to be unlocked once the other campaigns have been beaten.)

This is familiar ground to Stormregion, developers of Codename: Panzers. However, Rush for Berlin is different in that the subject matter is not nearly as comprehensive as “all of World War II in Europe.” Rush for Berlin deals strictly with the close of the war, the months when the most desperate fighting was unleashed in both the East and the West. The Battle for Germany was not just the final campaign for the end of World War II in Europe, it was the battle that settled all the old scores of the previous 50 years of European history. A classic struggle for power, it finally destroyed the old European order and established the next. I personally find RTS games that focus on smaller events like individual battles or specific years of wider struggles to be of much more satisfying than era-spanning RTS games. I’ve always felt that tremendous amounts of historical content are better suited to strategic level games, and not squeezed it into a half hour game. Rush for Berlin does an excellent job of including lots of detail into its short (18-month) scope.

In addition to dominating Europe, Rush for Berlin gives players two choices on how they will dominate: by closely following the actual history of the Battle for Germany, or by following an alternate World War II timeline. The Western allies can be wiped out, the Soviets can be pushed back, or the Germans can snatch a victory from what appears to be imminent destruction.

Whether players opt for the historical approach or attempt to change events as they see fit, a key feature of both modes of play is the use of later World War II era technology not seen in too many other games. Such armored units include German Sturmtigers and Jagdtigers, Soviet T-40As and JS IIs, and allied M36 Sluggers and the Sherman M4A3 Firefly. Additionally, players will also have the opportunity to use experimental units that were actually deployed towards the end of the war, but did not see widespread use. These include armored vehicles like the American M22 Locust light tank, the British Churchill Crocodile armored flamethrower, and the German remote-controlled Goliath ‘tankette’ minesweeper.

Rush for Berlin delivers in the most important category of all: fun. In my preview build, there were about five missions per nation, except for the French Resistance, which was not available. The Allied, Soviet, and German sides each had different gameplay styles, but they also had many things in common. Officers are powerful units for each side, and can rally or force-march units as needed. Medics are vital, as the action in Rush for Berlin can unfold very quickly and replacements (as they were in the actual conflict) are precious. Armored units and HQ buildings are also of paramount importance to all sides; the player who can build up a strong armored force and defend his HQ will be a tough player to take down. Additionally, resource management is minimal and usually involves allocating points from one mission to the next to buy new equipment.

A variety of mission types are available in Rush for Berlin too, from defensive nail-biters, to overland escort duty, to mountainous rendezvous with partisans, to urban street fights between squads of heavily armed infantry backed by tanks and supported by air cover. The game looked beautiful, with great zoom features, and had a gritty, realistic feel to the gameplay. Yes, I said realistic, and I’m still talking about a WWII-based RTS. Granted, I didn’t fight in World War II, but Rush for Berlin creates some very convincing images of what the Battle for Germany must have been like. Plus it becomes engrossing when details like the musical score, weather effects, a day/night cycle, native unit languages, and dynamic graphic details are considered. Multiplayer has been promised for the final release but was unavailable for this preview.

Rush for Berlin may carve a niche for itself by becoming one of the more realistic World War II RTS games available. Rush for Berlin is one to watch, especially for those interested in World War II from a slightly different perspective than is usually portrayed in RTS games. Gamers interested in some of the prototypical weapons systems of the day will want to keep an eye on it, too. Slated for release in Europe in just a couple of days, and in the US next week, keep an eye out for our review.

About The Author

Lloyd is currently a part time grad student in search of a degree in history, and a full time slave of the publishing industry, working as a desktop editor while editing articles and writing reviews for Wargamer.com. When not juggling these responsibilities, he is constantly trying to keep his wife from sealing up his computer room with bricks, awaiting a proud on-field moment from the NY Jets, and reading until his eyes can stand no more . He is also an avid midget submarine racer.