Republic: The Revolution (PC)

You don't get to see things happening in real time, you can't influence what is happening when you are viewing the action sequences. In fact the action sequences are only a consequence of decisions you make. For example, you decide to send a scout out to inspect an area; what you are shown then is the scout going out and inspecting the area, nothing else. You know that's what he is doing, so why show it, it's pointless. If he did something else like reporting back with findings during the action sequence, that would be believable and more realistic, but he doesn't.

We all know that this game took a very long time to bring onto the market, there were programming difficulties, etc. Maybe the original idea was for the game that we had hoped for, but due to the huge delay in release and mounting costs for production, maybe the studio chiefs just decided to streamline the game down to basics, just to get it onto the market. And that lead us to the current game which is just disappointing in basic terms.

Maybe if the game was marketed with a little less bravado, then we wouldn't be all feeling this let down as we are now. Just a thought! It isnt' a bad game, just not what we all expected.

I have always been a fan of strategy/management games like Civilisation, Age of Empires, Command & Conquer etc. but this game is really hard going. Maybe if I persevered it would become more exciting, but I can't see that happening. Don't be taken in by the screenshots, try before you buy!

Anyone still with me? Good. I can then tell you that THIS GAME IS FANTASTIC! And I dont mean that lightly.

This game explores a whole new genre to be developed for games - political strategy - which is much more complicated, involving and interesting than today's politicians show! This is active, revolutionary politics and it is totally engrossing.

The game takes place in a former Communist country loosely based on Ukraine. You play a man who has a personal vendetta against the corrupt, undemocratic President and the aim of the game is to overthrow the government and form a democracy. You achieve these aims by carrying out actions to increase your support and infomation in areas and also to attack other political factions vying for the top job. On the way you recruit other members and can direct their actions too. You can choose between three paths - Force, Influence, and Wealth - to achieve you aims and each path has its own advantages and disadvantages. The system works very well, and means there is plenty of replay value.

The graphics are beautiful. One annoying thing about the game is you do not carry out actions in the gorgeous game world, but you can watch your rallies, hitmen, and strikers from an eye-in-the-sky or at ground level.

The music is beautiful, inspired on Communist revolutionary songs, and helps create the deprived but hopeful mood of the game. The game is also huge. I have been submerged in it for two weeks now, and I still have not completed it!

Overall this is fantastic. As i said above it is not for everybody, but for an intelligent, informed person it is overwhelmingly good.