PREVIEW
Here at GamesFirst! we’re not only big PC game fans; we’re big Games Workshop fans. It’s almost sad (and a bit scary) how excited we get when we get wind of a PC game based upon the Warhammer world. Unfortunately, most of the PC games that have addressed the Warhammer world haven’t quite captured the flavor of the tabletop games. Shadow of the Horned Rat attempted to translate the Warhammer Fantasy turn-based miniatures game into a real-time PC game, with limited success. The sequel, Dark Omen, attempted the same thing with more success, but hardcore Warhammer players still frowned upon the real-time engine and often insanely difficult missions. Space Hulk–a 3D shooter based upon the game of the same name–was a pretty decent, but got lost in the glut of first person shooters released at about the same time, and Final Liberation, based upon the Epic game system, was a fine game hobbled by undistinguished graphics. Frankly, the best game of the bunch thus far has been Chaos Gate, an underappreciated gem of a game. One of the reasons for the game’s success is that it plays a lot like Warhammer 40K—it’s a great turn-based translation of a great turn-based board game.
So imagine our excitement when we heard that SSI, the publishers of Chaos Gate, are combining with DreamForge to produce Warhammer 40K: Rites of War, a game that will attempt to combine the Warhammer 40K universe with the critically-acclaimed Panzer General II engine.
The game will allow you to take command of the Eldar (and about time, too—this will be their first appearance in the PC world) as they attempt to stave off a Tyranid invasion of one of their worlds. Space Marines and Imperial troops will make appearances as well, and from what we can divine, you’ll be able to command the Tyranid and Imperial armies in some single-player scenarios, and all of the races in multiplayer. The single-player campaign promises 24 missions with various objectives—including rescue, escort, and delay—and an engaging storyline that SSI hopes will remind players of those in Starcraft and Brood Wars.
The big news, however, is the graphics. While the Panzer General II engine has always been known for its stunning 800x600 hi-color graphics, Rites of War looks to raise the bar even higher. Unit sprites are not only colorful, but twice the size of previous PGII-engine units. Even better, they’ll be animated, and SSI promises very cool special effects for psyker powers and weapons. I can’t wait to see what they come up with for the D-cannon. While we don’t yet know exactly what units from the Eldar, Imperial, and ‘Nid armies will make it into the game, there will be over 70, and from the exclusive screen shots we’ve been sent, it appears that such Eldar unit favorites as Harlies, Swooping Hawks, Banshees, and even the Avatar will make it in, as will such vehicles as the Falcon and possibly some of the larger Eldar war machines.
As they did in Chaos Gate, SSI plans to introduce an almost “role playing” aspect to the game. You’ll be able to gain “glory points”—like prestige points in PGII—and with them you’ll be able to customize your army. As your units gain experience, they’ll be able to add new skills and psyker powers, and unit upgrades will become available as well. Finally, Heroes of Might and Magic-like, units will stumble across powerful artifacts in temples and cities as they fight their way through the campaign.
A scenario editor will also be included—while you won’t be able to edit the hand-drawn maps, you will be able to edit scenario victory objectives, set-up, and forces.
We’ve got high hopes for Rites of War. We really enjoy of the simple-yet-addictive Panzer General system, and in the colorful Warhammer 40K universe it may find its most popular topic yet. We have some concerns—we’re not sure if the tactically oriented and complicated 40K system will lose its flavor in its translation to the beer-and-pretzels strategic PG system, and we hope that the game, if successful, will be supported. This is a sticking point for Warhammer fans, who are still waiting—probably in vain—for expansions to Dark Omen, Final Liberation, and Chaos Gate.
According to our local Farseer, Rites of War should hit store shelves in June.