Cold War

For years there has been a standard mix developers use when creating a first-person shooter. Classic games like Doom II, Quake, and Tribes gave players powerful weapons and let gamers throw themselves into the enemy. The new title from DreamCatcher and Mindware Studios, Cold War, brings a new mix of adventure, stealth, and ingenuity to the genre. Players take on the role of Matt Carter, a veteran reporter who ends up having the adventure of a lifetime as he tries to uncover a hidden plot deep within the U.S.S.R. at the height of the Cold War. Stealth plays a major role in the game, as players avoid drawing unwanted attention. There is also a high degree of flexibility built into the game. The main character has more gadgets up his sleeve than MacGuyver. Be prepared to construct special ammunition and distractions to keep guards busy, and tools to get yourself out of tight situations.

The graphics of Cold War are impressive. Everything from the mist to the grass beneath your feet is rendered realistically. Fine detail is visible throughout the game. It is obvious that the developers have put a lot of effort into making the game as realistic and visually engaging as possible. I got the chance to play on a preview build, so I can only imagine what the final release of the game will look like after the developers finish finetuning their creation. Unlike other games where useable objects clearly stand out from their surroundings the items in Cold War are harder to spot. On the other hand, the graphics are amazing enough that I enjoyed searching the game world in detail. This also adds a fine degree of immersion. The character, Matt Carter, is a journalist by profession and not a CIA operative. It definitely fits his character to be looking around, prying into every nook and cranny to find something to help him survive the nightmare his life quickly becomes.

Playing the game itself means enjoying a highly flexible “stealth-based” first-person shooter. The goal of the game in many places is to escape or sneak through without being caught. At first this may seem confining for fans of the more brutal “action-based” shooter games, but Cold War is definitely worth some patience adapting to its system. Common everyday items like plastic bottles and tin cans can become lifesaving weapons and tools in the right hands. Fortunately for gamers, Matt Carter is the right set of hands. Players can learn how to make various objects by using schematics and technical resources scattered throughout the game. The first items players learn how to make in the preview version I had the chance to play were “rubber” bullets. As the game progresses players gain access to a wealth of additional weapons for their arsenal. Darts to stun the enemy, trip mines filled with knockout gas, and mechanical toys that serve as a distraction to keep the guards busy all make their appearances.

In addition to the tools players can use for staying out of sight there are a number of weapons available for times when stealth just isn’t an option. One of the most amusing is the x-ray camera that players end up with in the beginning of the game. Loaded with a powerful “shot” that incapacitates enemies, it is also able to see through walls and around corners. While ammo for its powerful attack feature is limited, its X-ray properties are not. As long as the battery remains charged players can continue to use its vision function to avoid enemies. With the camera some areas of the game are much easier for players to navigate. Enemies are placed around corners and behind pillars often enough to keep players guessing. Being able to spot them in their hiding places makes it far easier to avoid or disable them.

The artificial intelligence of the enemies is very good as well. Enemies won’t simply stand and fire at players. They will hide behind nearby obstacles for protection, only popping out to take a few shots with their pistols early in the game. I was extremely impressed (and a little surprised) when one guard pinned me down long enough for his accomplice to sprint around the building I was hiding behind to shoot me in the back. Enemies work together and cover one another. The first time you see two guards alternating their fire as they pop out from hiding in sequence is breathtaking ... and poses an enjoyable challenge to fans of the “action” first-person shooter genre. The artificial intelligence for Cold War is very adaptable. Enemies make choices based on their situation and the player’s actions.

In all of this the most vibrant and engaging piece of Cold War’s design is the open-ended gameplay. Instead of having a limited number of choices, or only a single “correct” path to follow, Cold War offers gamers the chance to explore their options. Players can break out their toolkit and construct devices to confuse and amaze their enemies. Another choice can be to sneak around their opponents and use discretion as the better part of valor. Finally players can charge into the fray with guns blazing. The choice is entirely up to players. If stealth is more your style there are many options available to you. If direct action is what you like you can always indulge yourself.

The team at Dreamcatcher and Mindworks Studios have done an amazing job developing Cold War so far. The graphics are excellent and engaging. The gameplay is fun, engaging, and allows for a wealth of options. The artificial opponents are cunning and clever, making each fight unique and engaging. As with any unfinished project, it is hard to imagine what changes remain to be made in the game. From everything I have seen, Cold War is definitely going to be a lot of fun. Gamers of all flavors from stealth fans to action/adventure die-hards will find things to enjoy. Cold War is obviously a game that the developers are putting real time and effort into. Their excellent work shows in the fine details as well as the larger picture. I can’t wait to see how this game grows and expands as it enters the first-person shooter genre.