Iron Conflict - a brand new real-time strategy game!
After several playtests and many months of development, Angela Game came up with the game Iron Conflict. They got the help of the publisher Imperium Interactive Entertainment Limited to get their game on the market. Angela Game seems to be a Chinese development studio. the latter will result in some details in the game of which I will speak later in this article.
Birds-eye view
Being a true fan of the Wargaming games, called World of Tanks (WoT), World of Warplanes and World of Warships, I definitely wanted to have a closer look at this game. I love tanks, warplanes and everything else that has a place in old and modern warfare, with tanks being my greatest love. But this game is being different than the above-named games. This game approaches warfare from a different angle, being a birds-eye-view angle. Instead of driving your tank or flying your aeroplane in the first-person view, you have now a detailed look of the battlefield from above and you have to move your units according to warfare tactics.
Tech-tree
I already talked about units. But what are those units? Well, there are five different types: tanks, aeroplanes, AA guns/canons, ballistic missiles, infantry. Every type of unit has its strong points but also its weaknesses and within each type of unit, there can be different classes. For tanks that would be the light tanks, medium tanks and main battle tanks or heavy tanks. For aeroplanes, there are fighters, bombers and reconnaissance planes. For the AA guns and ballistic missiles, we have the mobile, self-propelled vehicles and the ones that need another all-terrain vehicle to get pulled, etc. All those unit types are divided into 4 nations: Eagle, Dragon, Lion and Bear. Strange names are used here, but it seems that Eagle consists out of American units and Dragon is a collection of Chinese units. Lion and Bear are not in use yet, but that is probably going to be Germany and U.K.
Tech-tree
When we have a look at the tech-tree and how everything is put together, we can see that a lot of inspiration was taken from the game World of Tanks. In fact, the tech-tree looks exactly the same, with the modules that need to be researched with earned experience point (XP) and bought with earned silver credits. After all, modules are researched, we’re able to unlock and buy the next tier vehicle or infantry. In total there are eight tiers in the game of which tier eight is top tier. The higher you go into those tiers, the more powerful the units are and the more difficult the battles are going to be.
Exchange system
Next to the XP and the silver credits, there is also something called free XP and gold credits. The XP you earn after every battle, are vehicle or infantry bound. That XP can only be used to research modules for that unit part and to unlock the next tier. Free XP is something that can be used for whatever means necessary. There is also the possibility to exchange combat XP (after each battle earned XP) to Free XP, through the XP Exchange system, but therefore you also need gold credits. Gold credits is an in-game currency that can be obtained by putting real money into the game or maybe in the future by obtaining a bonus code or something similar. Gold credits can also be exchanged for silver credits at a certain cost, through the currency exchange system.
Starting screen - garage
Those who ever played or play WoT (and other Wargaming games), will recognize how this game is put together and even the main screen (garage) is exactly the same as in WoT. It consists out of the garage, which is usually the starting screen, a store, a depot, a tech-tree and a missions section. When a vehicle is selected in the garage screen, you’ll find information or specifications on the right side of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see the special and generic accessories and the ammunition of that selected vehicle. Those are the things you bring to the battlefield. In the depot, you’ll find your reserves, which are basically XP boosts, bought accessories which are not mounted at any of the vehicles and certain ammo you have in stock. Through the store tab, you’re able to buy reserves, gold credits, premium time and in the future probably also premium vehicles, paint jobs, etc.
Researchable modules
Again, for those who played WoT or any other similar games, this will all look familiar. For those who never played a game like this, the learning curve is going to be rather steep. Nevertheless, it’s all doable due to the tutorials which are included in the game. For each type of unit, there is a tutorial. All the other knowledge about the units will surely be obtained by playing the game. A lot!
Store
Once you have created your formations, you’ll be able to go to battle. Formations are a collection of 3 unit types. F.e. a light and medium tank and an AA gun. When the countdown timer hits zero it’s all up to you! You move your units in a strategic way over the battlefield, called Rosefield and try to win from the enemy. The developers already confirmed that more maps are coming in the future. Total annihilation of the enemy counts for a win but there is or are always objectives as well. Or you have to capture 3 capture points (A, B and C) or you have to capture the enemy base/flag. The side that reaches one of the above, wins the battle. After the battle, you will have earned XP and credits, as mentioned before and you will have to repair your units if necessary and also refilling the ammunition and accessories. That all cost credits, so make sure you win the battle or at least do good during battle. Winning and or doing good is equal to more incomes of XP and credits.
Tech-tree
I have personally 15 hours in the game now, since the release a couple of days ago. I have to say that I like the concept a lot. There is still a lot of work to do, but this is an early access game, so the developers are open for all feedback and will act upon that by delivering updates on a regular basis. I really enjoyed those 15 hours, together with friends. Yes, you can play together. And I will definitely enjoy this game much more in the future.
Now it is your turn! Go check it out on the Iron Conflict Steam page!
