Silent Storm. Fictional WWII.

Published by: JoWooD Studios
Release Date: 1/20/04
Setting: WWII-Era / Fictional

System Requirements:

Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP, DirectX® 9 .0 or higher
CPU 600 MHz
128 MB RAM
3D graphics card, 32 MB RAM (nVidia GeForce2MX compatible or better)
Sound card
CD-ROM
2.5 GB of free hard drive space plus about 500 MB for Windows swap file and save games

10 Pts. Presentation/Package: 7/10
Silent Storm comes in the standard, generic PC game case. The pictures on the front, on the game CDs, and on the little booklet that accompanies the game clearly sets the game in the WWII era. Nothing special in the package, but also nothing ‘ugly’.

20 Pts. Graphics: 17/20
At the time of release, these graphics were cutting edge. Even today, the graphics remain a very strong part of the game. The weapons, ammunition, and items your character is carrying can be easily seen in the Inventory Screen where a figure of your character also appears. There will be a lot of ammunition belts on your character if he is carrying lots of ammo; each type of grenade will also appear based on what your character is carrying too. The environment is fully destructible too, and each figure moves realistically and responds realistically to explosions/hits/etc.

10 Pts. Interface: 9 / 10
Very simple interface. In-game interface consists of a bottom bar that has tabs for all six soldiers under your command. Clicking on each tab brings up each soldier (and centers the camera on him/her) and reveals the Health, Action-Points, and currently equipped weapons. Another button allows you to view the stats in one window, and the inventory in another. To the right of the tabs is an area dealing with movement (Run, Walk, Kneel, Crawl), type of shot (varies per weapon/grenade), Sneak, and Attack.

20 Pts. Gameplay: 17 / 20
The Game is played in three places: the HQ, the World Map, and the Game Map. In the HQ, you outfit your unit with weapons, med-packs, etc and pick which five other soldiers you wish to take with you. When you click on LEAVE you are taken to the World Map (of Europe). Areas that you have unlocked (by finding clues during missions and accomplishing tasks) are highlighted in red. Clicking on such a location zooms the map onto the location and shows you which places you can go. A place marked with “?” means you haven’t visited that mission yet, while “!” marks a spot you have completed. Clicking on “?” will cause a yellow circle to move across the map. This is your unit. You can change its course to avoid or attack a random encounter (a red diamond with a helmet in it). These can often lead to rare items. Once at a “?” you can click on it, which will load the game map and combat will start.
Combat is turn based. Each character has a certain amount of Action points to spend per turn. One with full AP can interrupt the AIs turn. You gain EXPERIENCE for killing the enemy and accomplishing the goals of each mission, which allows you to upgrade your soldier’s stats and abilities. You are also able to pick up any weapons and ammunition dead soldiers drop, or that can be found on the map.
Cover plays an important role, but deteriorates over time. For instance, most weapons can shoot through thin walls to hit their target. Repeatedly doing so will eventually cause a hole to appear in the wall. Grenades, and other types of explosives, can blow holes in the floor, wall, and ceilings. It is not uncommon for a large explosion to blow open a floor and cause the soldiers standing above it to fall to their deaths.
The character-models are also life like. They move in a life-like way (IE. When climbing up a ladder, they don’t ‘float’ up it, but rather grab each rung as they move). Deaths are also realistic. A killing shot to the right shoulder will cause the target to spin in that direction. A HE Grenade can evaporate an enemy in much the same manner, and due to explosions and physics, enemy bodies can fly through the air a short distance, fall off a roof, or collapse into a sitting position leaning against something.
What makes this game a Fictional WWII setting is the Panzerkleins. Think of these as Mobile Armor Suits. They are the wonder-weapon of the game. Sight is limited when using one, as is movement and the sneak ability. However, a regular SMG will do little to no damage against one. An RPG or Panzerfaust, on the other hand, will. A Sniper is also able to kill the occupant of the PK while keeping the PK intact. PKs are armed with a variety of weapons, from HMG, Bea, Weapons, and Caitlin Guns. These weapons, while perhaps not as accurate, are far more powerful then any other weapon in the game. They can singled handedly demolish thick walls or bunched groups of enemies rather quickly. Their movement as also rather realistic.
Overall, this is an extremely fun game to play, though having a grenade not go where it is supposed to can be very frustrating, but if the soldier isn’t skilled in Grenades, it is to be expected.

10 Pts. Contextual Realism: 8 / 10
The Weapons and Background of the game are set during WWII. The story introduces a Third Party to the War, who kidnap scientists from both sides, to make this ‘super weapon’ – the PanzerKleins. Your mission (whether Allies or Axis) is to find out who is kidnapping the scientists and why. Obviously, the PanzerKleins are a fictional weapon. The game also includes some German ‘wonder-weapons’ that really only existed as ideas on paper in real life. However, the PK’s aren’t ‘super-weapons’ that cant be defeated, which enables them to be integrated with the game rather smoothly. But again, if you are looking for a purely WWII-historical game, this might not cut it for you.

10 Pts. SOUND: Music/Sound FX / Voice Acting: 7/10
The accents, for the most part are very fitting. Everyone speaks English, though you can tell if they are German, British, Italian, etc. The music is also very fitting for the game and works rather well.

10 Pts. Lasting Appeal/Replay Value: 7 / 10
Due to the %-value given to each shot, it is possible that each time you play, the outcomes of the battles will be different. Another factor is gathering clues – some clues are hard to find – which unlock other levels. It is possible to play this game going to the missions in a different order every time. Also, there is a huge difference between playing as the Allies as opposed to the Axis, though the end goal is still the same. The game also has a multiplayer aspect (so far untried by the reviewer) which can extend the game-play indefinitely.

10 Pts. The ‘Il Duce’ Factor: 8/10
Great overall game, can be played with almost any combination of players, different order in which to do the missions, and great visuals.
Pros: Great graphics, easy-to-learn Gameplay, intense moments.
Cons: Movement Paths can be annoying, Characters aren’t the smartest and will accidentally shoot each other or explosive barrels (esp. when standing next to them), a small number of glitches.

Final Score: 80/100 This game is one worthy of play. While not a 100% historical WWII game, it does add to the fun factor with the PanzerKleins. It is also one of the first games with completely destructible environments, which also adds another element to game play. Character models are also rather lifelike, and there is a MultiPlayer element to the game too.

Videos:
Arming of German Soldiers in German Base - Video of SilentStorm - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Map Movement and Random Encounter - Video of SilentStormCombat - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Screenshots:

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