R.U.S.E

As a long time fan of the RTS genre, I did not think much of Eugen Systems’ previous entry into strategy gaming; Act of War. I found it simplistic and bland. So, when I learned that they were working on something new for Ubisoft, I was not particularly bothered. However, as more details about R.U.S.E were revealed, my interest was piqued.

R.U.S.E sells itself as being an epic scale strategy game set in World War II. The action is presented across a massive 3D battlefield, and players command units in a fashion not dissimilar to board games such as Risk, or Axis and Allies. While everything occurs in real-time, the broad scope ensures that the game plays out relatively slowly, at least in comparison to something like StarCraft II.

The key differentiating factor in R.U.S.E, is that instead of the winner being the player with the most tanks, information is the key victory determiner. While the general framework of the game will feel familiar to RTS fans, the added variety provided by the ten ruses, makes it a different animal altogether.

Narrative

R.U.S.E is driven by an entertaining, albeit slightly corny storyline. There are various unique characters which events revolve around, although they are not particularly memorable or engaging. Rendered cut-scenes drive the plot forward, and provide a sense of character depth which although not perfectly delivered, is welcome. Although the story plays out during WWII, the actual characters and specific events are fictional. There is even some alternate reality hokum which occurs later, which sees Germany making a grab for England.

There are two fairly meaty campaigns. The first is told through the eyes of US army major Joe Sheridon. Once you play through this, you can try your hand at the Axis campaign, which plays out from the perspective of General Major Erich Von Richter.

While the story could have been told better, it also could have been a lot worse. Overall, it works well enough within the context of the game, just keep your expectations set to moderate.

Rock, paper, Sherman tank

As mentioned previously, the basic mechanics of the game are fairly standard. The map is sprawling and realistically rendered, and there are multiple zoom levels. Zoom out far, and units become buttons sliding around a board. Zoom in close, and you can see individual units making away to their objective points.

The basic strategy mechanic make use of a fairly well oiled rock-paper-scissors system. Tank destroyers can only attack other tanks, as can anti-tank emplacements. Infantry will be ripped to shreds if caught in the open by tanks, buy are effective against anti-tank emplacements. Infantry can easily destroy tanks if they can get close enough, which is rarely the case. However, it is possible to hide platoons in tees or swamps, and set up ambushes. This is particularly effective when you want to hold a road that cuts along a tree line, as any passing enemy tanks will not see your infantry before it is too late. Even before the ruses come in to play, the game posses enough tactical variety and depth to engage gamers of the more cerebral persuasion.

Get your ruse on

While the traditional RTS component is familiar, and works well enough, it is the ruses which set R.U.S.E apart, and make it something truly unique. As you make your way through the campaign, you will unlock new ruses. At the start of each mission, you may use two ruses immediately. After this, your ruse bar refreshes once per minute. A good player will maximise the advantage granted by ruses, and will at any time have multiple ruses active on the battlefield.

There is a spy ruse which allows you to see all hidden units behind enemy lines, a radio silence ruse which allows you to move units unseen and loads more. The game has been balanced in such a way that ruses inevitably control the flow of battle. There are decoy ruses which can be used to make your forces seem larger, and even a ruse which causes your enemy to mistake armoured units for infantry and vice versa.

RUSE

Know your enemy

You will often have to defend on multiple fronts, while at the same time attack on others. This means that careful unit placement is important. You need to hold your supply lines to ensure a steady supply of new units, while gaining extra supply lines increases your potential unit production. Pushing forward blindly with a large force will usually not end well, as defending units can usually hold back advances stronger than themselves. So it is important so scout your objectives, be weary of possible ambush sites, and use the appropriate units to counter your enemy’s forces. A Small insurgent force using the “Blitz” ruse can often make good ground and destroy anti-air emplacements. This will allow you to call in bombers and destroy enemy armour columns while taking minimal loses. Of course, your bombers will be vulnerable to enemy fighter squadrons, so once again, it is important to know what you are up against.

Your enemies will also use ruses. This is important to consider when defending your supply lines, as enemies can sneak large forces right into your backdoor by using the radio silence ruse, or cause you to move your primary strength to a certain front using a decoy, leaving your flank open to their real strength.

Like a traditional RTS, currency is important. Units cost cash, and you earn cash by setting up supply routes, and defending your supply trucks. You will also have to build barracks, airbases and so on to create various units. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but with the added variables created by all the ruses, it plays out quite differently.

RUSE

Under the bonnet

Technically, Ruse is a solid offering. I had the pleasure of playing both the PC and Xbox 360 versions. The PC version is superior in two notable ways; firstly, while Eugen has done a great job with the control scheme for console, the PC version still handles better. You can tell a lot of effort has gone into making the console version easy to control, and it is for the most part. However, the mouse keyboard combination is still superior in this type of game.

Secondly, the console version’s limited sub-HD resolution tends to let Ruse down a bit. There are at any time multiple units on screen, and the lower resolution does not afford individual objects the detail which they deserve. Units tend to be reduced to blocky masses rather than the nicely defined and detailed soldiers and tanks that you will experience on PC, especially if you are playing on a largish TV (40″+).

Conclusion

All in all, Ruse is great RTS. Sadly, it does not offer enough to pull PC bound RTS enthusiasts away from StarCraft II, at least not for anything more than a curious sojourn. It’s a pity, because the PC version is the best version.

Xbox 360 or PS3 exclusive gamers looking for an RTS will not be disappointed. The two single player campaigns are engaging and at times thoroughly addictive, and the multiplayer component gives it added longevity, drastically improving its overall value proposition. While the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, the added gameplay dynamics provided by the ruses, and rewarding tactical depth make it the best RTS available on console right now.