Based on a card game, Proliferation is a game of nuclear warfare. Fans of the classic game Risk will be enthralled by Proliferation. Though not as well known as Risk, Proliferation adds a depth of game play that requires greater thought and handling when dealing with economy and martial distribution.
The game is set on the Earth of the near future that is rife with conflict. The player controls a super power in a world of escalated nuclear capability- tactical nuclear weapons are owned even by small countries and regions. The player controls multiple aspects of their country, such as ground forces, nuclear weapons, ambassadors and diplomats, and defense satellites, in addition to economic factors such as food and oil.
The player is certainly able to invade countries by sending in the troops, but Proliferation shines in nuclear combat. True to life, it examines many consequences related to dropping The Bomb on the enemy. The player must elect to build costly defense systems to protect them from nuclear warfare, as well as monitor local and planetary radiation. The two types of nukes in the game, tactical nukes and Intercontinental Missiles (ICBMs), have separate radiation effects to dissuade the player from dropping the big one too often. While tactical nukes emit radiation at a country level, ICBMs affect the planet on a whole, and at the end of every turn, some degree of local radiation adds to atmospheric pollution. Radiation levels can make or break a game, forcing a player to weigh up the benefits of a nuke versus the negatives.
Proliferation is a game warfare, but a player must still carefully manage resources. A larger population means a large army, but costs more oil and food. These resources are found in all regions, or may be purchased on the world market.
Due to its age, Proliferation's graphical interface and simplistic controls may leave something to be desired, and players who prefer an attractive and complicated game might find that their game experience is affected by this fact. But that is not what Proliferation is about. It's about good, tactical butt-kicking.
All in all, Proliferation is a very well designed game that would appeal to war gamers that prefer a more intelligent and thoughtful interface, as well as a more engaging level of virtual warfare.
Written by:
~melissah
