Maybe the first clue should have been that it only requires DirectX 3.0.

NovaLogic throws the third version of another simplified combat vehicle simulation at us (anyone played F-22 Lightning 3?) and hopes that we’re okay with gameplay that consists of hitting the fire button and trying hard to, and often succeeding at, dodging enemy fire. Of course, they let you do this with lots of other people over the net, and even include a headset microphone for that truly ‘immersed’ feeling.

Yes, there was a tone of sarcasm in the last paragraph. Playing Armored Fist 3 (AF3) leaves you feeling caught between an overcomplicated arcade game, where the extra, overly-detailed controls and options are rarely put to use, and an Armed Forces propaganda machine.

Essentially, you are the commander of an M1A2 Abrams tank, and you get to try and save the day. There’s just one problem with this: these tanks require four people to operate, and you are but an individual. Thinking about this logically, it would have to be concluded that in order to make this type of game feasible, things would need to be simplified. And that’s an understatement.

Let’s ignore the fact that you can breeze through the training missions within 15 minutes if you pay even a modicum of attention. (My worst fear is that this part of the game is the most authentic. College kids in control of major assault weapons with this level of familiarity? ...*shudder*) Let’s even forget that your many views and control centers can practically be ignored. The glaring albatross around this neck is that most missions degenerate into loading projectiles, auto-selecting a target and firing as soon as possible, all the while trying to stay out of their aim. The true challenge in this game is trying to get the auto-aim feature to recognize valid targets, as in the enemy tank coming right for you, instead of the small building off to the right that looks so menacing. Possibly the most unimpressive facet of AF3 is that most of the battles have you far too close to enemy tanks, frantically trying to fire as soon as the ammo is reloaded. These are long-range assault vehicles, and while they’re not guided missiles, they should still be able to take out the enemy before they’re within small arms range.

The propaganda machine kicks in when you take a look at your various command consoles. They are authentic reproductions of actual M1A2 stations, down to the finest detail. This is because they are photographs used as in-game, pre-rendered images. Certainly the easiest method for achieving authenticity, but it smacks of low production values. On the other side of the spectrum is NovaLogic’s tweaked voxel technology. Terrain has never looked so good, or been as accurate. If you can see the top of a tank just over a ridge, you can hit it. Even if it’s just a crevice, or the rear of the vehicle left barely unconcealed around the back of a hill. This was very gratifying, particularly after all the terrain-deformation we encounter in polygon-based games these days. (You know, where you see a guy on top of a rise, but when you get a bit closer, find that they’re behind the hill and the game engine has simply neglected to raise the terrain to actual level at further distances.)

All right, not everything is a sour note. There is depth to be found in this game, it’s just that you have to look harder than is necessary, and it’s all too easy to lose track of it again in the midst of a firefight. As usual, NovaLogic provides the ability to take the easy route and simply blast your way through, or you can go the full-sim path and work from all the different tank positions, give orders, call for support and use every available view and option. This requires a considerable amount of dedication, and can be very rewarding.

AF3 also gets the multiplayer treatment, with its own sector on Novaworld, NovaLogic’s online multiplayer arena. You can go up against 32 other people at once, in deathmatch, team, or cooperative mission play. Deathmatch is just that, kill everyone else and stay alive. To this they have added Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag, which are also for 32 players, but on two different teams. The cooperative missions are the best of the bunch though, since you can choose to either take on game missions with friends (up to 6) against the computer, or attempt team games. The Team games give each of your team members (8 players total) four tanks to command and objectives to complete. Instead of trying to kill the other team, you have to achieve the mission goals first...but taking out enemy tanks doesn’t hurt.

All this net-play is aided by NovaLogic’s exclusive ‘Voice-over-net’ service, which allows you to speak to other players rather than typing everything. The only down side is that you can only speak with one person at a time. While this makes for less bandwidth usage than other similar products, often the higher pings created by Roger Wilco are worth the ability to speak to multiple people at once.

Don’t worry, the single-player game hasn’t been forgotten. This is that part of the review.

You have the aforementioned training missions, as well as Solo missions and Campaigns.

The Solo missions are the all-familiar lone wolf scenarios. You and your tank against every bad guy in the universe. The Campaigns are each set in different parts of the world, and require you to command multiple tanks and play well with others. This is where the other armed forces provide support and cover, as well as generally get in the way. (It is a bad thing to get in the way of a heavily armed 70-ton moving box of death.) The best part of the campaigns is that your performance in each mission has a ripple effect on the future missions of that campaign. Additionally, once you have beaten missions in the campaign mode, they can be played as individual scenarios in the battle mode. A nice touch that should be implemented in more games.

The sound is there. You shoot, it makes noise. They shoot, it makes more noise. Occasionally you hear your tank team reporting to you. Ho-hum. While uninteresting, at least it’s accurate.

So AF3 isn’t a bad game. If you’re not ready for the Panzer titles out there, or want the option to use less brain matter when jumping in your software generated tank, this title might work for you. There are certainly enough missions, and the multiplayer games are robust and full of flavor. Unfortunately, I was never able to shake the feeling that this game could definitely have been better, and decidedly more engrossing. In an effort to give you realistic, sprawling terrain and freedom of movement, NovaLogic succeeded in making most of the game alike, with minor variations in your mission goals.

I can’t really recommend this one, but if you already have it, or know you’re getting it for Christmas, you will definitely be entertained. Unless, of course, you still think that Myst was the perfect form of entertainment. In that case, I cordially invite you to go stand in front of my slightly pixellated M1A2 as I find a parking space.

Installation- 9 Easier than making Minute Rice, but less filling.

Game Play- 6 It’s easy if you want it to be, complicated if you choose, but either way it’s hardly impressive. Stick to the multiplayer.

Graphics- 7 They’re Voxels. Terrain looks good, everything else needs help. At least you don’t need a $200 video card. Of course, if you have one, you might want to get Quake3 to give it some exercise.

Sound -5 Blah

Concept- 7.5 It’s a tank sim. The extra point is for the ability to play it arcade or sim.

Difficulty- 8 There are some tricky spots, and coordinating a platoon and all your armed support can get hairy.

Value- 7 It’s got a lot of hours in it if you’re into tank sims and have an internet connection (and obviously you do if you’re reading this), but the cool microphone headset is what saved this from the 6 range.

Overall- 7.0