Conflict Of Nations World War III Review

A Much Needed Addition to the World War Saga

Bytro Labs and Dorado Games have done it again with the latest addition to their strategic military dynasty: Conflict Of Nations World War III. Originally released on Steam in 2018, this mobile port packs a big punch. The updated visuals will delight anyone who’s played a previous installment. However, the sheer amount of choices might overwhelm those who aren’t familiar.  If you haven’t played a military simulation game like this before, there’s a learning curve when it comes to strategizing.

Players choose from countries across the world, each with a unique play style.  You can get down and dirty by throwing yourself into a landlocked region like Belarus to fight off insurgent nations. Or you can ride out big conflicts across the world on an island such as New Zealand, biding time while amassing an unstoppable naval fleet. There are two expansive maps to choose from: one that includes every conceivable country on the planet and a scaled down version that centers mainly on Europe.

The overall goal of the game is to defeat other nations in a worldwide battle-royale, but there are other modes of gameplay to keep things interesting. Some are straight forward and self-explanatory like “4x Speed” and “World War.” Others like “Apocalypse” and “Flashpoint,” are less clear. As of right now there are no descriptions of the different game modes or what their rules are. You can form alliances or send threats through the in-game newspaper tab. Build up your resources to mobilize an immense army. From fighter jets to submarines, there are numerous ways to personalize your attack style. With the in-depth statistics of buildings and military units, you can get into the nitty gritty of what strategies will propel you towards global domination.

Realism at Full Throttle

Conflict Of Nations thrives on realism.  Each action, whether it’s researching weaponry, building an arms industry, or mobilizing tanks can take hours or even a day to complete and combat can last into the week.  Agents are necessary for gathering intel on neighboring countries or sabotaging their economy. Just like in real life though, it takes time and they’re not always successful. Any attack with a fighter jet requires immediate return to your nearest airfield for refueling. While Bytro and Dorado opted for faster gameplay in earlier projects, Conflict Of Nations World War III thrives on slow-burn strategy.

Even the sound design lends a visceral connection to the real world. Selecting a territory prompts region-specific audio to play, such as rainfall in jungles or birds chirping in forests. While engaged in combat, military units play unique soundbites dependent on their weaponry.  All these elements combine to make an authentic combat experience for the player.

Bytro Labs have dedicated themselves to reinvigorating the military strategy genre. Fans of their past games Call of War, Supremacy 1914, and Supremacy 1 will find Conflict Of Nations World War III eerily similar in many aspects. After playing through Bytro’s previous titles, it is apparent that Conflict Of Nations follows the same formula as the others, with modern visuals and slower gameplay. However, in this game players have an immense amount of options at their fingertips. This is exactly what makes Conflict Of Nations their best game yet. It takes the best parts of its predecessors and elevates every aspect.

They Still Have a Ways to Go

In this day and age, it’s refreshing to find a free-to-play game without constant pop-up ads. The limited pay-to-play system of Conflict Of Nations garners hope on the surface, but it’s apparent that those who purchase in-game gold, dominate the playing field.  Gold can be used to finish any action in-game, whereas other players wait hours or days to complete a task.  Paying players also have the ability to sabotage nations instantly, rather than waiting half a day for agents to complete a mission.  When the core mechanic of a game is waiting, it’s near impossible to defeat players who don’t need to manage their time strategizing like the rest of us.

Conflict Of Nations mobile debuted on September 3 and already has two updates under its belt, but there’s room for improvement.  The gameplay is a far cry from its PC predecessor. Many crucial in-game options also have yet to be added. As of right now, there is no way to report bugs.  The help tab is a link to the PC game’s Wiki, rendering most of the information useless. Much needed updates aside, this is the type of game where you check in at breakfast, lunch, and after you get home from work or in between classes when you have some free time.  If you don’t have time for a game that demands constant attention, Conflict Of Nations is perfect for you.