Innovative FPS ideas infused with ignored universal concepts equates to the yin yang of FPS.
Graphics: 6
Sounds: 5
Value: 6
Tilt: 8
Actual score: 6.8
I'm not sure if this is true however we constantly read/hear people debating about whether countries go to war to finance their budgets. Well, it does create jobs I guess however placing people's lives in lieu of financing the country is not a good idea in my opinion. Yet the developers for Iron Storm '4X Studios' used this concept about an on-going war that literally hasn't end since the beginning of World War I. Financed by the private sector by buying shares on the stock market investing on weapons of mass destruction to further their pockets. Where you come in is that the Baron (a.k.a. The Russian Leader) is in a process of developing a deadly weapon that can literally destroy the world (and naturally the money supply) and with the guidance from your superiors requesting you to stop this lunatic.
So Iron Storm is regarded as a first person shooter yet cleverly can be switched in third person view by pressing the allocated key. However before you play this game download the 1.4 patch otherwise reassigning the keys will cause the game to crash. I really don't know how this was missed during the quality check so you have been warned. Anyways the game starts off feeling like World War I trench warfare as you battle your way through desolated landscapes towards the church for which the opening cut scene depict this also. Call it déjà vu though as it does feel like the Battle of Normandy save the vast open seas. Yet as you progress further into the game, you get to see modern tech infused with old methodology which sits well considering.
Iron Storm brought in features that's rarely seen elsewhere. In first person view, in addition to seeing your arms, you also get to see your legs so the 'floaty' arms concept is now out of the door. Also this adds immersion as you now cannot shoot whilst climbing a ladder as your field of vision is somewhat limited. Adding to this is that it finally solves the falling off the ladder problem or failing to grab on by pressing the 'use' key. Such a revolutionary concept deserves recognition. And if you somehow got bored of shooting your foes, there are T.V. sets around so you see what's hot in the stock market and if listen carefully can provide hints for your next objective/s.
However with all said and done, there are some universal concepts that were removed from the game. Ideas like no mini maps and vague mission objectives can send your character in an endless loop of nothingness. As mentioned before though, pay attention to those 'televised' clips as it will assist you in your next goal. Trial and error can also produce the same result. For example there was a time I was wondering why on Earth a cannon is sitting in the middle of nowhere until I used it and randomly blast holes. Then I realise one of the holes it created I can scramble through to the next part of the story. Lastly if the game tells you to doing something, do it and nothing else. An example of this is the stealth mission so without going into too much detail, suffices to say I went guns a blazing only to realise a chopper arrived out of nowhere and mowed me down. And this happened quite often if you decide to go off the beaten track. So you can say the good comes with the bad.
The engine that powered is game is actually quite nice to see if it was released two years ago. Yes the engine debuted in the year 2000 with 'The Messenger' and yet the very same engine powered Iron Storm. So expect to see out dated graphics with plenty of greys and blacks however considering the plot, the lack of colour somehow brings in the bleak mood. Yet on the bright side of things (no pun intended) the engine can now render outdoor environments like a charm as computers can take on the heat without serious dips in the frame rate. So expect wide landscapes with multiple entry/exit points that actually look impressive (especially the town mission) however like I stated before, the lack of mission objectives can be a real downer.
When I stated the good comes with the bad doesn't apply to the sounds as it's just bad. It's a real shame though as considering the game has a lot to offer, it fell down here. Actually there's not much to say here as literally there's not much sounds period. Of course you have your typical sounds like gunfire and the like however there is nothing much else. No rustling of trees, the occasional drips of water or anything else to that effect that can bring you into this world. Yet credit is due to the voice acting and I'm not talking about the English speaking people either. I'm talking about all the Germans as it do sound convincing enough. Oddly though, wasn't the main villain a Russian?
Length wise I pulled it off in a cool fifteen hours yet this is a misdemeanour as at times I enjoyed wondering around checking out the sights and other times wondering around not knowing where to go next. Yet if knocked off a couple of hours here and there, it's going to be a little short. Yet there's a multiplayer option if you want some online mayhem with four playing modes being death match, team death match, capture the flag and Iron Storm's feature 'isolation case'. I really don't know what isolation case is as I didn't get the manual when I bought it from eBay nor there was anyone online to play with me.
So with all said and done Iron Storm has its revolutionary aspects like resolving the 'falling off the ladder' routine to viewing the news on T.V. and let's not forget the impressive storyline gives a two thumbs up from me. Yet oddly enough, there's an equally two thumbs down for vague mission objectives, lack of sounds and linear approach as to 'do what I say' even though the maps are large with multiple entry/exit points. I took this game with a grain of salt and with a couple of moans here and there actually enjoyed this adventure from start to finish. Yet I'm a patient person with a positive outlook on things who does enjoy a good tale despite of its obvious downfalls.