Product Description

Act of War: Direct Action is a frightening and believable tale of suspense, ripped from today's headlines. A secret cabal of oil company owners have funded terrorist groups to destabilize the world economy, driving oil prices sky-high. As the oil barons make millions, and the energy crisis begins, US military personnel learn the truth behind the terrorism. To fight it, a new team of counter-terrorist warriors are created to face the threat. Begin the worldwide job of tracking down the terrorists and uncovering the international conspiracy before the terrorists can strike in the heart of America itself.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6394 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Atari
• Model: 25141
• Released on: 2005-03-15
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP
• Format: DVD-ROM
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .56 pounds

Features

• Control counter-terrorist forces in this real-time strategy experience
• Suspense, international intrigue, and geopolitical military conflict
• Command highly realistic modern military units; movie-quality cinematics
• Capture enemy soldiers, rescue hostages, and occupy or destroy buildings
• Skirmish with up to 8 players in a variety of intense multiplayer operations

From the Manufacturer
Ripped from today’s headlines, Act of War: Direct Action is a frightening tale of suspense, international intrigue, and geopolitical military conflict. This real-time strategy experience puts you squarely in control of counter-terrorist forces and delivers a first look at tomorrow's war.

The Situation
A crippling energy crisis. Terrorist attacks. Massive strikes. Global instability.

The Enemy
A shadowy Consortium of back-room conspirators determined to throw the world into utter chaos using widespread terror tactics.

The Heroes
A new "direct action" operation known as Task Force TALON to counter massive military assaults, rescue hostages, conduct classified spy missions, take prisoners, and stop an unpredictable enemy bent on toppling the world’s governments.

Features:

• Command highly realistic modern military units
• Experience unique gameplay through a seamless convergence of movie-quality cinematics and live action
• Skirmish with up to eight players in a variety of intense multiplayer operations
• Face the realities of real urban combat as you defend the streets of London, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
• Capture enemy soldiers, rescue hostages, and occupy or destroy buildings
• Live out a gripping storyline from best-selling techno-thriller author Dale Brown

Customer Reviews

fun
I liked the game, I played it it a lot. I still play it sometimes.

I like Warcraft/Starcraft type games, such as the C&C line,etc. This game got less than favorable reviews online for being short and not all that replayable. I disagree, I have replayed it many many times and certainly have gotten my monies worth out of it.

Kind of underwhelming...
Act of War: Direct Action comes out 2 years after C&C: Generals, so I'll make my comparisons to that excellent benchmark game.

There are two major improvements that AoW has over C&C:G. First, the plot is far more immersive. Plenty of live action video (not quite "24" but it works) helps weave an intricate and interesting story line, far preferable to the so-so briefings at the start of C&C missions.

Second, the camera not only zooms in and out, but also pans down for an over-the-shoulder perspective of your forces. That's quite nice, actually - something tried in Star Wars: Empire At War, but it just didn't work well there.

Also, AoW has a much longer storyline (C&C:Generals has 7 or 8 missions for each faction).

Despite the enhancements, AoW is just not as much fun as C&C:Generals. Maybe it's the enhanced realism - taking buildings is something you see from outside with silhouettes, rather than just sending a toxin tank to flush out a building and reoccupy it 10 seconds later. Your units are fairly well-dictated, so while C&C gives you strategic choices mostly in the composition of your forces, AoW picks them mostly for you, and leaves the tactics up to you.

Maybe its the kitsch, or lack thereof. There's something utterly comical about creating a group of GLA rebels in C&C: Generals, and hear them shout "Our courage will be seen by all!" Meanwhile, a GLA peasant simply complains "Can I have some shoes? Are there any better tools? Does it have to be so far?" AoW takes itself seriously - perhaps a little too seriously. More "The Sentinel" than Jack Bauer.

It's also utterly frustrating to have wounded bleed to death on the battlefield, where they are unable to walk the 60 in-game feet to the field hospital. In later missions you have access to a medevac chopper, but early on these poor guys just die in the park.

All in all, not a bad game - something to play when you're tired of C&C: Generals. And all the Generals: Zero Hour mods - so far, I've not found any mods for AoW.

One of the great RTS games that you never hear about
This is one of the best RTS games that I have played. I love the "what if" type of game that applies to current events, such as high gas prices and terrorist attacks. I think the actors were good in their rolls. The graphics of the are stunning. Launching an attack to retake the capital building and then the white white house, thats great. The different units are a good balance as well as the different types of forces you command.
The next game Act of War High Treason is even better but no one ever hears about it. Man, just writing about these game makes me want to play them right now, so get it play it and then play it again.