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| | Title:
DEFCON
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System:
PC
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Genre:
Simulation
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Publisher:
Valve
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Developer:
Introversion Software
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Release:
September, 2006
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Online:
Yes
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ESRB:
Rating Pending (RP)
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DEFCON is an interesting title to review. In a world where next-gen graphics, next-gen physics, and next-gen sound are all the rage, it is difficult for those games which go a different more stylistic route to get noticed. Hopefully, DEFCON will be one of the few titles out there that won’t be missed as the next wave of technology is about to hit the gaming front. DEFCON is a tactical strategy simulation that will have gamers hooked for hours, just so long as they accept the steep learning curve.
DEFCON puts players in the role of a commander. Players have the task of not only defending their home country but at the same time laying waste to all other countries who oppose them. Sounds easy right? Wrong. DEFCON is a hard game to win at. There are so many factors to consider that it will take gamers quite a while to get a grasp on the subtleties. In many games, subtleties are easy to ignore but with DEFCON they are essential for victory.
At the beginning of every match there is a Defcon timer which begins to tick down. The timer begins at five and will end at one. As the timer goes down, reaching higher and higher states of Defcon, more and more options are available for the player to devise the ultimate strategy. At Defcon 5 players can place their units, while at Defcon 3 they can begin to launcher bombers and aircraft, and at Defcon 1 the ability to fire nukes is finally available. There is much more strategy though than just the Defcon timer. Players have a limited amount of units all with their own special abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Radars have to be placed correctly so hidden enemy forces can be detected, while missile silos must be spread out evenly across your territory so that enemy nukes can be shot out of the sky effectively. Leave one part of your territory vulnerable and the enemy will take full advantage of the weakness. Complimenting the silos and radars are aircraft hangers who can launch fighters or bombers (who can also launch nukes), as well as three classes of naval ships. All of these units must be used in specific situations to ensure victory. Blindly sending your entire fleet of ships towards the enemy will never be successful. You have to devise a strategy, and decide on whether striking first or second is the best choice. Launch nukes first and you’ll give away the position of your silos. Wait too long though and the enemy might have reduced your country to the point that there is no return.
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