Strategy Gaming Online - Features: Best and Worst of 1998

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Best and Worst of 1998 : Original

Best of 1998 Categories : [ Real Time ] [ Turn-based ] [ Wargames ] [ Worst Company ]
[ Company ] [ Expansion Pack ] [ Most Original ] [ Graphics ] [ Storyline ]
[ Online ] [ Disappointing ]

Rainbow Six

By now even the most remote computer gamer will have heard at least something about Rainbow Six, Tom Clancy's venture into the field of "first person shooters." First person shooters are visceral; the action comes at a breathtaking pace. Typically the most complex strategic decision a player must make is "which weapon?" or "do I jump here?" Rainbow Six has this - the weapons and damage are (literally) heartstoppingly realistic. The inclusion of innocents isn't novel, but also adds to the complexity of the tactical gameplay. But it is in the successful marriage of strategy and tactics in which Rainbow Six displays its innovation. The nerve-tingling intensity of the real time action is preceded by several stages of careful planning, from team selection, outfitting, and most importantly the innovative waypoint team planning system. Other games have used waypoints - the technique is not new - but the implementation in Rainbow Six is simple to use, effective in employment, and clear in method. More than a simple Quake clone, however, we feel it is more than this and have voted it the MOST ORIGINAL game award for 1998.

In essence, it is this combination of genres that lead us to awarding this title. In Rainbow Six, things are as they should be: you can't win without having a sound strategic grasp of what's going on, nor can you win without good tactical skills. The balance is just about perfect. Congratulations, Rainbow Six!

Runner-up:

Battlezone: While the traditional RTS genre has begun to reach the limits of innovation, Activision have introduced with Battlezone a whole new game altogether. Not quite RTS, not quite 3d-shooter, this appealing title is an extraordinary blend of both. Following it's success many clones and imitators have been announced and released - it appears the overcrowding of the RTS market may be repeated in this new genre. Nonetheless, Battlezone will always be remembered as the game that introduced the concept of 3d-strategy.