What will befall the world if China, with the aid of North Korea, set their minds on conquering South-East Asia? Will America, with the backing of the United Nations, be able to defeat them or will the new axis powers succeed? People's General (released in1999), one of the games in the very popular ‘General’ series of Strategic Simulations Inc. puts you into the dilemma of World War III where you can play on either one of the sides, leading them to victory. One of the best turn-based strategy games ever released, People's General gives you the chance to have the perfect feel of the difficulties a General has to pass through in bringing his troops to victory.
The game has an excellent plot. In the beginning of the 21st century, China is growing as a super power and decides to re-conquer traditional Chinese territories. America sends its seventh fleet and main Asian force to resist the Chinese invasion of South-East Asia and force them to turn back. In response, China sinks the American career Abraham Lincoln, claiming it to be in Chinese territory. Taken aback, American president presses the Congress to declare a state of war. With the United Nations supporting the United States and North Korea aiding China, WORLD WAR III begins.
In the main menu, there are four different modes. Scenario mode lets you play different scenarios, the first being a tutorial. It will be best to begin by playing the tutorial so that within no time you can learn the controls and other details. You will have the chance to play as China, the US, Russia, North Korea, etc. in different scenarios. The campaign mode lets you play different campaigns including long and mini ones. In campaigns you can play as China and the US. There is also one campaign where playing as Vietnam you try to conquer South-East Asia. A multiplayer option lets you play with your friends on a LAN or over the Internet. The fourth mode lets you play through email.
As China, the beginning will be easy. Activating Plan Red, China plans to conquer most of Asia and become the strongest nation in the world and then force the United Nations to approve their triumph and sign a peace treaty. In the initial three years you will succeed easily until The United States comes into the picture with increased vigour. Then the game becomes more difficult. Within the first three years, the combined forces of US and UN suffers a huge defeat at your hands and most of Asia will be conquered including the parts of Russia to the east of Urals. The Russians will be forced to sign a peace treaty. Then the strong US - UN combined counter-offensive begins and the game gets very difficult.
As the United States, you start the game after 3 years, the time taken to restore the war production in the country to full flow. At first you will have to defeat the Chinese and North Korean invasion in South Korea. After succeeding there, you will have to move to conquered parts of Russia and without Russian aid take on the Chinese forces there. You will be outnumbered by the huge military force of China but you have the edge of supreme technology. Also the air superiority provides you strength over your enemies. As America, the beginning is difficult with you heavily outnumbered but later on, your supreme technology will give you advantage over the rivals.
When you start a mission you can use production points gained in your previous mission to buy new units (tanks, soldiers, etc.) and also upgrade your existing ones. You can also adjust your air superiority with the points. Whenever you achieve a tactical objective in a mission, you will gain prestige giving you more production and air points and sometimes prototype units which you cannot yet produce on a large scale. The points you thus gather in-between a mission can also be used to purchase further units and upgrades. In each turn of play you will get air points to use for air missions like air strikes, defense, etc. which will be very effective in good weather conditions. The units which have successfully completed a mission will have increased morale and their ranks improved to the likes of veteran, etc., which will make them stronger and more powerful in their attacks in your next mission. While purchasing a unit, you can also make use of the production points to buy ones with high rank.
The gameplay is very exciting and challenging, but also difficult. That is why it is one of the best strategy games ever released. Tactics play a huge role in your success. You should be aware of your units, especially to which units they are vulnerable and to which they are powerful against, and thus use them wisely. For example: tanks are vulnerable to longbow helicopters as they have no weapons to attack helicopters. Use your production points carefully, for instance, you can upgrade some units with air defense weapons instead of buying a unit for that lone purpose. You must consider the advantages of the side you are playing, like if you are playing as America then you enjoy air supremacy and so you must make more use of air missions.
The game controls are easy, as only a mouse is needed to play the game. The movement is done in the form of hexes. Left Click on a unit and you can see the maximum range of hexes it can move to. Left click on a hex to move your unit there. Left click on an enemy unit to attack it. Right clicking a unit gives you the details, like different attacks or different defenses, etc.
The graphics are sharp and drawn to the finest detail. There is only a single soundtrack, but luckily it is a good one and fits the game nicely. The sound-effects are also good but don't expect the quality to be like games such as Call Of Duty.
I was impressed very much with the gameplay. It is very exciting and challenging and fits perfectly to the game's genre. The plot is excellent as I am sure no one will disagree to the possibility of such a development. The graphics are also good. As a negative point… hmm! The only one I can think of is the difficulty the game poses. The gameplay is really tough and you will have to save and re-load several times to complete a mission.
The game is highly recommended. With no doubt it earns a perfect 5 / 5.
Written by:
~vinumohan
