French developer Eugen Systems continue to be one of the flagbearers for traditional Real Time Strategy games in a strategy gaming landscape that is veering either towards grand strategy like Civilization or turn-based tactics like XCOM. Yesterday, the developer dropped several new details about their upcoming RTS game, Act of Aggression.
Act of Aggression is the follow up to Eugen’s 2005 game Act of War: Direct Action, a traditional RTS in the vein of Command & Conquer with modern twists. It even featured live action cut scenes and a relatively sophisticated techno-thriller plot written by retired Air Force captain and author Dale Brown.
Act of Aggression, which will presumably take place in the same universe, is, according to Eugen, “set in the 2020s in a darkly realistic future where 3 major factions fight for their interests. In a world where international crisis and financial order is set in a seemingly unending loop, the shadowy organization known as ‘The Cartel’ attempt to complete a secret agenda with high-tech technology, stolen prototypes and stealthy operatives.”
The game features three factions to choose from: The Cartel, a technologically advanced but physically frail faction that sounds similar to C&C’s Brotherhood of Nod, the US Army, a brute force faction that serves as AoA‘s equivalent of the Global Defense Initiative, and the Chimera, a sort of adaptable task force that has multi-purpose units that can be customized for more specific roles. Fans of Act of War will find this faction quite similar to the game’s Task Force Talon.
The game will feature gameplay straight out of what Eugen describes as the “Golden Era of RTS.” Players construct bases and fortifications, harvest resources across the map, and build up armies and superweapons to crush their enemy. A few new twists are also thrown in, such as the ability to capture occupants of wrecked enemy vehicles, upgradeable and customizable units, and the ability to capture banks for additional income.
Like its predecessor, Act of Aggression will feature a dedicated story-driven single player campaign.
Act of Aggression is notable because it marks a return to traditional RTS for Eugen Systems, who have spent the last ten years developing larger-scale strategy games like R.U.S.E and the Wargame series.
AoA is due for the PC in the Spring of 2015.