Atari Act of War: Direct Action review

Verdict:

Review Date: 21 Jul 2005

Price when reviewed: inc VAT

Reviewed By: David Ludlow

Our Rating 3 stars out of 5

Review
Specs

Atari's Act of War: Direct Action is set in the near future where oil prices have risen to $7 (around £3.75) per gallon. Rather than lump it, like us British whose petrol is currently more expensive, the world is thrown into turmoil.

While the plot may seem implausible, the execution is top-notch. Live action cut scenes build up the tense plot and elaborately planned and filmed action scenes make up for the poor acting. The game involves three factions: the US Army, Task Force Talon and the evil Consortium. The single-player missions, however, only let you play as the good guys; you need the multiplayer or skirmish modes to try all the factions.

Act of War doesn't do anything different to existing games of the same genre, but it does its job well. The graphics, which are based on satellite images of towns such as London, are particularly lush. It uses a 3D engine, so you can zoom and swoop around the action.

The range of weapons available is impressive, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of individual units mean you have to plan attacks carefully. You can send troops into buildings to protect them, provide covering fire from windows and set up ambushes. Use the right combination of troops and tactics, and you're more efficient at dispatching the enemy.

The single-player mode consists of around 12 missions and can be completed quickly, and the plot runs out of steam towards the end. However, the multiplayer options will keep you occupied for longer. To build up your army you need money, which you get in a variety of ways, from building oil refineries to taking prisoners.

This has all been done before, but Act of War does it with such panache and style that it's still great fun to play. A longer single-player campaign would have been preferable, though.

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