Wargamer preview Pacific Storm Allies US release
 

Wargamer.com has a positive preview of the just released in the US "Pacific Storm Allies"

Show me a single review where wargamer.com has not tried to circumvent out-right criticism.

[Quote:] Given the success of Pacific Storm’s debut, it hardly comes as a surprise that Lesta and CDV are hard at work churning out another addition to what will most likely become a beloved and longstanding series. What Pacific Storm: Allies brings to the table is nothing particularly earth-shattering in terms of improvements or additions, but then again no one is touting this game to be the “next generation” of the Pacific Storm style of play. One thing I can say for sure after having my own crack at Allies is that veterans of Pacific Storm and players new to this addicting game style alike will want to have a good look at Pacific Storm: Allies. Before even playing the title I already knew that Allies would be building upon an already solid title. Building upon its initial success, Pacific Storm: Allies fixes things current Pacific Storm players have griped about, adds more scenarios, buildings, units, and other content, and ultimately comes together quite well to represent a definitive step in the right direction for the Pacific Storm series. WWII action fans and strategy fans should look forward to Pacific Storm: Allies in early 2008.

What a convoluted way to dodge the issue. I looked hard for indication of a finally enjoyable product in the form of a redesigned UI, vastly (!) improved AI, and a focus on either arcade or realism. But there's nothing apart from more units, and several things that should have been in the original. Disappointing.

The originally PS was enticing but ultimately tedious so I dont need more of that.

Yes, I think Pacific Storm suffers from having a bit too much micromanagement on the strategy side and not enough realism in the simulation side and I totally agree on the AI.

Now I think the problem is those East Europeans, Russians in particular always have those great ideas and they win our hearts every time. It's just that something is always there that will ruin it in the end, in that case it was that they have no idea of how to create a user interface, and of course it is hard to provide sound AI for such an overambitious project.

Yes their ambition is boundless but their execution leaves a lot to be desired.