Genre: Real-time strategy
Developer: Altar Interactive
Publisher: Infogrames
Year: 2001
Platform: PC
Original War is a real-time strategy game that blends resource management, tactical combat, and role-playing elements. The game is set in an alternate history where a team of modern soldiers is sent to the past to secure oil deposits in Alaska before they are depleted, while contending with another faction of humans with the same objective. Players control soldiers individually, assign tasks, and manage resources to build bases, gather supplies, and advance their technology.
The game features a unique troop experience system, where soldiers gain skills and abilities over time. Injured soldiers can be permanently lost, and equipment must be carefully managed. The single-player campaign is narrative-driven, emphasizing strategic decision-making and long-term planning, rather than just quick tactical engagements.
Original War allows players to control both individual units and larger squads, switching between tactical skirmishes and broader strategic operations. Terrain and unit positioning play significant roles in combat effectiveness, and vehicles and specialized equipment can be utilized to gain advantages in missions. Multiplayer modes extend the strategic depth, allowing competitive play with other human players.
The game’s storyline is conveyed through in-game cutscenes, mission briefings, and character dialogues, highlighting the ethical and tactical dilemmas of time-travel warfare. It combines historical and science-fiction elements, creating a unique alternate history scenario that is central to the gameplay experience.
