Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps single-player demo

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

Whereas most real-time strategy games force you to mine resources, learn technology, and develop infrastructure, Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps (DRvAK) cuts right to the chase, dropping you directly into tactical battles in North Africa. Instead of building your own units, you get a certain number of points on each mission that you can allocate toward troops, weapons, and vehicles. Although the demo offers only one brief mission, the detailed graphics, interactive environment, and variety of available units make this WWII strategy game very enjoyable.

Following the actual battles between Rommel's Afrika Korps and British troops, DRvAK lets you play as either the Axis or Allied forces, each with more than 70 units to choose from. Before each mission, a default unit selection is presented. You can modify your units as much as you like, within your allocation. The easy-to-learn controls work similarly to most real-time strategy games. Although the detailed graphics scale well for large battles, we had some quibbles with the interface. The action buttons are too small (though they all have hot keys), and the font is difficult to read. Also, camera movement is limited, requiring one eye on the radar at all times. Despite these minor flaws and the too-short demo mission, we recommend DRvAK to any fans of tactical-strategy games.

Publisher's description

From Encore Software :

Telling the story of the North African campaigns of World War II from both the Axis's and Allies' sides, Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps is a real-time tactical game in full 3D with single- and multiplayer modes. Across two campaigns and 20 missions inspired by history, players follow the destiny of a German and an English hero, who were once friends and who are now constrained to fight each other.

Missions range from reconnaissance operations in the desert and urban flush-out missions to large-scale sieges of desert fortresses. Each mission starts with a briefing and a recap of the historical background to the ensuing battle. More than 30 units can be allocated to each side, selected in the army-management system. Desert Rats is characterized by a high level of combat realism and varied combat tactics. A pause feature allows players to think over tactics if necessary.

The single-player demo will let you get a feel for this game's real-time tactical combat. It offers one mission from the Axis campaign of the full game.

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