Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars Preview

As an enormous fan of real-time strategy games, I was very excited to be given the opportunity to preview Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars. I was not disappointed, and knowing that I was one of the first to play the game (one of the "chosen few" if you will) only added to my excitement.
As a sequel to the immensely popular Cossacks, I was a little worried that Cossacks II would be the same basic game with a few bits added and a few other bits spruced up a little, but what a nice surprise I received. I needn't have worried though, because CDV and GSC Game World are no crooks when it comes to top-class games.

Naturally, the graphics are the first thing one tends to notice about any game. With a new 3-D engine, Cossacks II is absolutely stunning... for lack of a more suitable word. Careful attention has been paid to every last detail, and it shows. The terrain is perfect down to the last blade of grass. To be perfectly frank, after playing Cossacks II your eyes will think Christmas has come early. Everything about the way the game looks is perfect and tremendously detailed.

Cossacks II offers a mode of play for everybody. There are strategic games, real historical battles and real-time strategy games, which are your bog-standard skirmishes. The historical battles in particular are great fun to play because accurate historical information is beautifully presented in an entertaining way which makes the information stick in your mind. It's great fun to play a game but it's even more fun to know you are learning at the same time.
Strategic mode offers something for the deep-thinkers. You must decide how best to command the battle. It is enough to keep you on edge. One wrong move could destroy your plan and allow your opponent a victory.
The historical battles, as I've mentioned, offer something for those interested in history, or those who want a battle with a storyline attached.
Finally, the real-time strategy offers fans of the "go in and kick butt" style of war gaming.

Strategic mode offers a significant amount of extra options. In addition to the war side of things, players can also make use of diplomatic options such as making treaties, coalition warfare on the battlefield, opened borders and so on. These options should liven up any game, but I imagine that they will particularly shine through in multiplayer games. In addition to creating havoc on the battlefield, players can work together to achieve victory. The ability to co-operate or stab each other in the back adds a powerful and interesting element to the game.

Hand-in-hand with the diplomatic features come the economic features. The key resources are gold, coal, wood, brick and iron, all of which you will need to ensure your empire continues to expand and thrive. Resources are gained through capturing provinces in wars and also through trade with other players. This adds yet another useful feature to the game: the ability to destroy other player's trade routes. Cutting off a player from valuable and much-needed resources is a great way to weaken them. This generates a sense of realism within the game, as an army that is not sufficiently supplied with resources will quickly begin to break down into pieces.

One area where Cossacks II particularly shines through is with the troop experience and morale system. As troops are involved in more battles they will - assuming they survive - gain more and more experience. With enough experience, a single unit can be the difference between victory and defeat.
First seen in the likes of Command & Conquer, the experience system adds to the realistic effect of Cossacks II.
Morale is the other system emperors must be wary of. A unit's morale suffers when it is hit by a severe loss. Units with a low level of morale are more likely to rout during a battle. This is an effective system, as it ensures the emperor is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each type of unit.

With the prospect of online play comes a sense of freshness. Each time you play, it's a new battle against a new opponent, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This, coupled with the beauty and feel of the game, promises a long life-span and a game you will want to play for hours and hours at a time.

In conclusion, I feel Cossacks II will appeal to a large audience, and not necessarily just fans of real-time strategy games. There really is something for everybody. If the idea of becoming an armchair emperor appeals to you, or if you're a history nut looking to find an entertaining and fun way to broaden your knowledge, Cossacks II will be right up your street. It looks to be one of the most talked about games of 2005, and if you ask me, the game fully deserves it.

This preview was added on 18th March 2005 by Dan Clement.