Warzone 2100, real-time strategy and tactics, and you will fail

Every one to two months or so we will feature a free game that is interesting to us. This game must be part of an active project with regular releases, and be free to download as a complete package - no demos. Although GameBoom promotes open-source games, we might have a (free) indie game once in a while to keep things interesting. We call this new section GOTM or Game Of The Moment.



We will push this game down your throats as much as possible until you surrender to our will and try the game. And hopefully you will write a quick review! Ha-ha!

The GOTM of the moment ( GOTMOTM ???? ) right now is Warzone 2100, a real-time strategy game that defines a new genre. Really. One of the many aspects where WZ2100 stands out is the use real-time tactics (RTT) in its gameplay. In an RTS-RTT game, the terrain and unit placement determine your victory on the battlefield. Combine this with excellent AI and awesome graphics, and you know you'll get your arse kicked for sure - many times over.

The overall goal in WZ2100 is to find the enemy and destroy them. Simple enough no? Yes, except you have limited time and resources to make this happen. You can't just amass a super army and scorch everything. You will be defeated a few times before you can discover the strategy to win. If you are easily frustrated or have rage issues, please don't play this game. You *will* destroy your keyboard. Consider yourself warned. Also, do yourself a favor and crank up the graphic settings all the way, the graphics are excellent.

The game features tech research and unit design. There's 400 tech you can research - just take a look at the tech tree. Unit design plays an - if not the most - important aspect of the game. There's OVER 2,000 TWO THOUSAND unit design combinations that you can try. I'm glad they kept the units under 10,000. The pace of the gameplay is fast and relentless, so you won't get bored. I'm writing this and remembering, I'm getting stressed out... The computer AI is way smarter than you, almost godlike. The way to win in this game is to play humbly, and remember this phrase: "Thank you Sir, may I have another?". You will use it often.



WZ2100 excels in fun-factor, but its history is a true Cinderella story. It was first published by Eidos Interactive for Windows and Sony Playstation back in 1999. And after a five year run of great success the complete game was opened under the GPL in 2004. Since then, a dedicated community of developers and players have contributed improvements to both gameplay and content. The current incarnation of the game is version 2.2.4, but version 2.3 is being developed heavily and it's release is eagerly awaited. We have been following this game for a while and it's on my Top-Ten-Favorites list.

The Breakdown:

• Real-time strategy and tactical gameplay
• Nuclear post-apocalyptic story
• Awesome-looking graphics and effects
• Engaging soundtrack and sounds
• Kickass AI system
• You will fail multiple times

What else is there to say? Download and play Warzone 2100 NAO. And tell us what you think, please fill-in a quick 3-question review + blurb afterwards.