E3 2005: Level Up
Red State. Blue State.
Product: Shattered Union
Company: Apus Software
Date: 05/28/2005
Avaliable On:

Shattered Union presents a scenario many thought the last two presidential elections were going to lead to. After years of internal strife, terrorist attacks and the obliteration of Washington D.C., the United States has hit the breaking point and entered in to a second Civil War.

Divisions in Shattered Union run a little deeper than Red and Blue states. The United States has split up into six factions, all vying for control of the entire country. To the West, there's Greater California and Arcadia. The Midwest and Southern states have also formed the Heartland and Dixieland respectively, while the New Republic of Texas gives Texans their long-fantasized desire of Texas really being a whole other country. The Yankee Union (suggesting the George Steinbrenner may actually be in control of his own Empire) flanks the middle-American factions to the east. Even the Europeans have gotten into the act and sent in peacekeeping troops.

Shattered Union plays out like a standard turn-based strategy game, complete with a hex grid, something that should make avid war gamers feel right at home. Everything in the game is rendered in 3D, giving the game a slightly better look than other strategy games on the market that insist on sticking with 2D (not that it's a bad thing). Terrain and other elements are mapped in 3D while a single counter represents armies of units. The game's design is non-linear, with your decisions altering how the war develops.

Seeing as how the game is set in modern times, Shattered Union will give you access to some of the most modern military hardware available. Not only will you have access to America's military might, but you can also ally with the Europeans and add their technology to your arsenal as well. And, just because I know some of you are asking, you will have access to nuclear weapons, which should let some people live out their fantasy of nuking the left-coast or taking out the Bible belt. However, nukes will come with the negative side-effect of radiation contamination.

Surprisingly, Shattered Union will not only ship for the PC, but will also make an appearance on both the Xbox and PS2, giving both consoles a rare turn-based strategy game. Look for all three versions to ship this Fall.

Starscream aka Ricky Tucker

GameVortex PSIllustrated TeamPS2