Take back, successfully, gameplays which have been vastly ignored since the late 80ish.
Strong points:
- Difficulty level; this game challenge me, very few can. (you don't need to play at the highest difficulty setting). I just recently complete the last map. Some maps are easy, but some are devious and will take every thing you have.
- No random, so the focus is on strategy/tactics, if you fail/succeed, you only got yourself to blame/credit for it, no hiding behind I was lucky/unlucky.
- Units models are neats.
- Disclosure is an interesting system, you can often get the better of the computer on this level.
- AI always maximise the current turn, so the computer will do maximum damage/destruction of units for this current turn...don't even try to compete with him on the level, think many turns ahead. The computer has more ressources and more units as well...so you have to think carefully and to understand his moves in order to build a successfull strategy/tactics.
- AI is predictable. Maybe to some peoples it is bad. But to someone who is focused on the achievements and progression, this is good. You learn you enemy, you outplay him, you progress. IMO this is sweat.
- Campaigns, Careers and scenarios are outstanding. You have quite a LOT of content to much in before your done with this game.
Weakpoints:
- AI, despite it maximise effects, is predictable, and to some peoples, it will be a downside. Me I like it that way, but some may prefer more challenge and less of what I would call, evolution.
- Poor replayability. Once you complete a map or something, you can try to do better a few times, but overall, you will most likely be done with it and never come back.
***************************************************
This is the BEST game these devs ever did. Hopefully the future will be bright with other great titles such as this one.