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AXIS AND ALLIES IS an RTS on a global scale. Making its transition from a very popular board game onto the PC, we take a look at what's install for strategy fans.

Axis and Allies is a game based on the World War II conflict, but rather than focusing on portions of the war it puts players in the shoes (combat boots?) of some of the famous generals and has you fighting the entire war.

Battles will not be just restricted to the land, as you will have a vast array of naval and air units to control in addition to the normal land forces. This game is going to add a lot more depth to the WWII RTS genre with players now having to think on more of a strategic level rather then just tactically.

What will have a lot of appeal is the ability to rewrite history and reshape the events of WWII. What if England had been invaded? What would be the consequences if the Germans won the desert conflict and opened the way to the soft underbelly of Russia? All actions have a consequence, and what is exciting about this game is how much effort has one into creating these what-if scenarios.

At a tactical level, players will be able to control units that are historically correct over terrain that reflects their position on the global map. Expect wooded hinterlands, artic wastes and the burning sands of the desert. Players will need to be able to adjust their tactics to best fit the situation. From the screenshots you can readily see how battles will be fought and by all accounts they promise to be torrid affairs.

Overall this game this promises to be challenging and one that has a lot of appeal to wargamers as well as the casual RTS player. Expect to see it on shelves here in New Zealand late this week.

Features include: -

• Dynamic Campaign - lead one of the five WWII superpowers to world domination
• Linear campaigns - play the Allies through historical missions or play the Axis through a what-if alternative history
• Command land, sea and air units in real-time
• Extend your realm of control and maintain your ability supply troops and units
• Each superpower features authentic and unique units
• Interact with generals and leaders of the era: Rommel, Eisenhower; Yamamoto, Zhukov and Montgomery
• Play online with skirmish and instant action modes
• No two games ever play the same, even when playing in the random map generator. Even if you employ the same tactics as before, the mission will play out differently.
• Play as one of five of the top superpowers during WWII: USA, Great Britain, Germany, The Soviet Union and Japan, and a huge diverse scope of tactics, equipment and vehicles.
• Play within different temperate zones around the world including tropical, desert and artic.
• Attributes such as morale and experience contribute to your troops' individual fighting prowess, making them more durable and effective in battle.
  Equipment, vehicles and dates are all accurate based on their place in World War 2history.
• Gameplay is accessible to non RTS gamers; its fast pace, interface and learning curve benefit new players.
• Developed by TimeGate Studios, creators of the Strategy Game of the Year, Kohan

Show me the screenshots!