Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

This Means War! delivers a solid real-time strategy experience that challenges you to adapt traditional RTS mechanics to a broken, post-apocalyptic world. Resource gathering is a constant struggle: scrap metal, salvaged electronics and human manpower stand in for the oil and gold of classic titles. Every mission forces you to weigh immediate gains against long-term sustainability, since high-end technologies are rare relics of the shattered pre-virus era.

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Base building is streamlined but meaningful. Instead of sprawling, futuristic command centers, you erect makeshift outposts from shipping containers, jury-rigged generators and repurposed military hardware. Defensive turrets often misfire or overheat, so you must augment static defenses with mobile strike teams. The result is a tense tug-of-war for territory, where supply lines are as important as frontal assaults.

The game’s campaign presents a steady escalation of strategic depth. Early missions focus on simple convoy escorts and skirmishes, but by mid-game you’re orchestrating multi-vector attacks, amphibious raids and electronic sabotage. As the UN’s chief strategist, you’re entrusted with special “field directives”—unique mission goals that reward creative thinking, whether it’s rerouting power from a broken dam to your encampment or rigging enemy supply trucks to self-destruct.

Enemy AI is refreshingly varied. The religious zealot faction unleashes swarms of kamikaze drones that force you to invest in point-defense units. The Crocodile Dundee rip-off leads jungle-savvy guerillas who rely on hit-and-run tactics and improvised booby‐traps. Finally, the spoiled countess deploys aristocratic shock troops in cameo-worthy fashion, complete with makeshift knights on armored motorbikes. Each faction’s distinct style keeps you on your toes and ensures no two battles feel the same.

Graphics

Visually, This Means War! strikes a gritty, lived-in tone. The world is rendered in muted earth tones punctuated by the flicker of broken neon signs, rusted machinery and crumbling architecture. Scorched earth plains gradually transition into reclaimed farmlands and overgrown city ruins, conveying a sense of gradual human resilience amid devastation.

Unit and building models are meticulously detailed without sacrificing performance. Infantry squads wear mismatched armor plates and gas masks, while vehicles look convincingly patched together from pre-war scrap. Explosions kick up clouds of dust, and scorch marks linger on the environment, making each firefight visually impactful.

Special effects are used sparingly but effectively. Sandstorms drift across desert maps, obscuring vision and altering unit accuracy. Swamp missions introduce fog that forces you to scout by foot, adding an atmospheric layer of uncertainty. These weather events aren’t mere eye-candy—they influence tactics, encouraging you to deploy recon teams or reposition artillery for maximum advantage.

The user interface balances retro charm with modern clarity. Command icons appear as stenciled silhouettes on steel plates, and the tactical map resembles a charcoal sketch on parchment. Information is concise yet accessible, making it easy to manage multiple fronts without drowning in menus. The UI design reinforces the theme of a world stripped of high-speed computing power.

Story

At the heart of This Means War! lies an intriguing premise: a virus has wiped out all sophisticated computer technology, thrusting humanity back into a mechanical age. The United Nations survives as a fragmented but principled force, and you are appointed its primary strategist. Your mission is to reclaim territory, secure vital resources and restore a semblance of order to a world on the brink of collapse.

The narrative unfolds through in-mission briefings, radio chatter and terse cutscenes. You’ll negotiate with wary local leaders, weigh moral dilemmas—such as rescuing civilians at the risk of losing critical equipment—and uncover clues about the virus’s origin. While the overarching plot can feel familiar to RTS veterans, the game’s focus on low-tech warfare lends it a fresh sense of authenticity.

Antagonists are colorful and distinct. The religious zealot, known only as “The Prophet,” claims divine insight into the virus’s purpose and fields suicide squads to enforce his creed. The kangaroo-outback-accented warlord dubbed “The Outback Ranger” masters guerilla tactics in swamp and jungle maps. And the enigmatic Countess de la Forté runs an aristocratic enclave where firearms are banned and dueling sabers are back in vogue. Their escalating conflicts serve both as engaging set-pieces and narrative signposts for your campaign progress.

Character interactions are concise but memorable. The Prophet’s impassioned sermons crackle over the radio, the Ranger’s one-liners bring comic relief, and the Countess’s disdainful taunts punctuate high-stakes battles. Though you seldom see these foes in person, their personalities shine through voice work and mission design, elevating standard RTS fare with a touch of post-apocalyptic dramedy.

Overall Experience

This Means War! stands out in the crowded RTS genre by marrying classic mechanics with a distinctive low-tech post-apocalypse setting. Its modular base building, resource-scarce skirmishes and faction-specific challenges deliver a rewarding learning curve. Players who relish meticulous planning and adaptive tactics will find themselves fully immersed in the UN strategist role.

Some aspects could feel repetitive toward the campaign’s end, as core objectives—capture, defend, destroy—remain consistent even when map design gets more creative. A handful of pathfinding quirks and occasional AI hesitation in complex engagements can interrupt the flow. However, these minor flaws seldom overshadow the game’s inventive mission structure and atmospheric world-building.

Replayability is strong thanks to difficulty tiers, branching mission paths and a robust skirmish mode. Customizing AI aggression levels or setting weather dynamics unlocks fresh tactical puzzles. Multiplayer promises tense 2v2 showdowns, though the community is modest at launch and may take time to grow.

For fans of strategic depth, resource management under pressure and a vividly realized post-virus world, This Means War! offers hours of engaging gameplay. Its blend of scrappy visuals, varied faction warfare and thoughtful narrative beats makes it a compelling purchase for anyone seeking an RTS with both heart and grit.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10