Squad Assault: Second Wave

Death comes quickly on the battlefield. Hot lead flies through the air, seeking to take the lives of the soldiers under your command. Planes duel in the air and explosions rock the earth beneath your feet. This is the game world of Squad Assault: Second Wave. Combat flows quickly in a historic recreation of warfare on the battlefields of World War II. Like so many games that take their inspiration from one of the greatest conflicts in human history, Squad Assault attempts to create a sense of realism in its graphics, sound effects, and the combat system itself. This desire for a realistic experience is a great strength for Squad Assault, but it also creates a high learning curve for the game itself.

The graphics for Squad Assault are well done on the larger level, and fairly good up close. When a player begins zooming in and out things can get a little grainy at times. The explosions caused by heavy weapons fire in particular are well done. Mortar strikes cause gouts of fire and earthen debris. After the initial blast smoke begins to rise from the crater. The combat effects have an exquisite attention to detail. Players can also see the tracer rounds fired from infantry units. The small specs of light can be a little distracting at first, but they provide an invaluable source of information on the battlefield. 

The sounds are also well done, but not outstanding. Units “shout” information from the front lines in recognizable voices. It is easy to tell when a unit has run out of ammunition, for example. The downside is that the units all sound vaguely the same as you begin playing the game. It can also be chaotic during the heat of battle. The sounds for gunfire and weapons fire are all well done, but they can be overwhelming. In one sense this is very realistic, bringing the player further into the world of mass combat. It can also be a little annoying as you try to discern exactly which unit is trying to tell you that it is coming under fire.

Squad Assault: Second Wave, is an expansion pack for its predecessor, Squad Assault: Western Front. It is a combination of several features. New missions are included along with every existing patch for the original release. Taking advantage of both the single-player game and its multi-player features, Squad Assault: Second Wave is a solid buy for the new player. Fans of the existing title will find plenty of use out of the title and should consider getting it if they want to continue enjoying their favorite game.

New players will find the gameplay to have a fairly high learning curve. The combat in Squad Assault is very realistic. Enemy fire can be extremely devastating in a few short seconds. As a result If your troops get caught in an ambush you’ll find your forces dying quickly under enemy fire. A single accident can sometimes decide the course of an entire battle. This is also an advantage for the prepared player, but it can be frustrating when you are first learning the system. Whenever possible the clever tactician should force their enemies to fight on their terms, denying the enemy their advantages. Your opponent will be trying to do the same to you, so watch your flanks.

Squad Assault contains a wealth of units for you to form into your own personal army. Infantry units like scouts and riflemen are available alongside mortar teams, machine-gun crews and more. Tanks and aircraft can also be found on the battlefield. Each unit is a faithful reconstruction of one of units under the command of the major powers involved in combat along the western front in 1944. The United States, Britain, Germany, French, and Canadian forces are all represented with their own unique blend of personnel to fill the various roles that combat requires. Players are given the option to customize their army before the battle, choosing which kinds of units they want to lead into combat. This allows for a great deal of flexibility. While your core forces can be dictated by the simulation or battle you are fighting, there is still enough room to bring your own play-style into the fight.

Squad Assault: Second Wave is a solid contender that fans of historical war-simulations and realistic combat will enjoy. Fans of the more stylized combat found in games like Starcraft will be a little less enthused. The realistic combat can lead to a number of headaches as a single wrong move leads your forces right into the jaws of defeat. The graphics and sound are good, but not exceptional. In a similar vein the gameplay is enjoyable once you have learned the ins and outs of the interface. Getting to a comfortable level of familiarity can be a bit of a problem. If you want to play a game for light mental effort and some fun, Squad Assault might not be your kind of game. If you are up to the challenge, though, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Gameplay: 7.0
The basic gameplay of Squad Assault is well done. The realistic combat is a big plus, but it has a draw back. Enemy fire can easily wipe out your forces in an ambush. Be prepared to dig in and fortify your position if you want to survive.

Graphics: 7.0
The graphics are good when you are zoomed in to survey the battle in fine detail and when you are zoomed out to get a clear view of the battle. In between those extremes the graphics get a little grainy in places. The visual effects of the fighting are well done and engaging.

Sound: 7.0
The sounds of combat are very well done. My only concern is that it can be a little overwhelming. While this is accurate for mass combat in World War II it can sometimes be difficult to hear exactly what is going on.

Difficulty: Hard
If your forces rush in they’ll die. Period. It takes a lot of cunning and a good overall plan to achieve victory. Even with an excellent plan it's possible to lose a battle because your units got a little too close to the enemy and were wiped out. Play a little cautiously, though, and you’ll do fine.

Concept: 7.5
Squad Assault: Second Wave is an enjoyable historic war game with some entertaining features. Names and status for every member of a squad, for example, an open-ended format for battle, and realistic weapons and equipment. Fans of the genre will definitely enjoy it.

Multiplayer: 7.5
The multiplayer version of Squad Assault is a lot of fun. Its possible to get away from the computer AI, and its perfect ambushes, and play against an opponent who might occasionally make mistakes. Its also enjoyable because the AI still feels like you are fighting a computer. Human opponents are more creative and flexible.

Overall: 7.2
In the end Squad Assault is a good game with a few minor flaws. If you are willing to be patient and give the game a chance, it is worth it. The high difficulty and sometimes chaotic sounds are the two biggest concerns a new player should have. With the expanded options from the original release, Squad Assault: Second Wave is a good expansion for a solid game.