Eugen Systems’ newest RTS harkens back to the golden age of the genre

If you’re into games like Command & Conquer, then you’re going to want to get a look at the new trailer for Act of Aggression. The game’s got some old school RTS gameplay surrounding new ideas.

Eugen Systems already has something of a name for themselves when it comes to strategy games. They’re the developers of Act of War, as well as the Wargame series, which are pretty well liked across the fan base. This time though, they’re taking a somewhat more classic approach to RTS’ with Act of Aggression.

Billed as a ‘Command & Conquer’-like experience, AoA mixes the tried and true (like “base building, resource management, and mass unit production”) with new elements like protecting supply lines that you’ll establish, taking prisoners of war, and actually defending and taking over banks to keep funds flowing into your war effort. The game is also inspired by ‘techno-thrillers’ and places the war to be fought in the hands of three factions, all of which are decidedly different in their approach.

• The Cartel, stealthy operatives born out of private military contracts, with the latest prototypes. Fragile and expensive, but stealthy and powerful this secretive faction is difficult to master.
• The US Army, exhausted by endless fighting across the world, are a brute-force of veterans; they can skill up in specific roles and improve their veterancy, but use current generation technology.
• The Chimera, a UNO funded task-force designed to have a plan in mind for every situation. You can mould their units through upgrades into specific roles, or leave them as a jack-of-all-trades.

Random thought- it’s interesting to see the US military (in this case, the Army) cast as the underdogs with outdated weaponry and a fatigue factor at being overstretched on the world stage. Kind of neat.

Act of Aggression hits the PC from Focus Home and Eugen Systems some time later this Spring.