I’m no stranger to overly complicated games that require some serious investment in learning. I remember playing Star Trek: Birth of the Federation way back in 99’ and spending hours figuring everything out all on my own. Unfortunately, I no longer have the time needed to invest or even the patience required to squeeze the enjoyment series regulars are having with Wargame: Red Dragon.
The detailed unit models, coupled with the wonderful use on terrain make Red Dragon a very pretty game. A majority of the reason I stuck with the game so long was because of the fact that it’s design was just so well done. The sounds of gunfire, tank shells and the games musical score are all evocative of the time period the game is set in, but nothing really stays with you. There might well be something great just under the surface that makes Wargame: Red Dragon a good game, but only if you are willing to forgive the hard to navigate interface, amount of micromanagement required and harsh learning curve.
Another big problem that I had with Red Dragon was with the marketing push behind the game. All the videos, all the trailers that I saw prior to release had me really excited for the game, but as it turned out most of those trailers were outright lies. All the videos and featurettes showed close quarters combat between ground, air and naval units. Nearly everything featured would lead a consumer to believe that they would be getting an RTS experience in the vain of StarCraft or Total Annihilation, only set in during Asian conflicts of the past. At best, this is deceptive marketing, at worst it’s outright lying to the general public.
I did manage to enjoy my time toward the end of the many hours I put in learning to play, but I don’t feel that that small amount of enjoyment is worth the hassle or asking price for the game, or even come close to remedy the feeling of being lied to. If you are a fan of the series then you are no doubt going to fill the comments defending the game, and that’s fine. Wargame: Red Dragon was created with you in mind, but if you are like me and new to the series, be warned that you are going to be spending as much time just learning to play this game as you would completing another.
J. Luis
2.3 out of 5
PC
Style
Single/MultiPlayer
Publisher
Focus Home Interactive
Developer
Eugen Systems
Release
April 17