Arma 3 Creator DLC: Global Mobilization - Cold War Germany Review (Alter Reich)
Global Mobilzation Has and Lacks Many Things
+ One large map with two variations
+ Performance-friendly CDLC
+ Includes single player and multiplayer campaigns
- Too expensive
- Many stuffs in this CDLC are "too vanilla"
- Most of heavy vehicles do not have interior
- Lackluster air vehicle options
To be honest, I really want to recommend this DLC, I really do. But I don't think many people will share my level of appreciation, as things that are praise-worthy are rather miniscule.
This CDLC for me is in juxtaposition of understanding when it comes to price. At the time (around 2019/20), 15$+ for this DLC made sense as it comes with new buildings and vegetations. Not to mention, Contact DLC which would be a good start for creating European map had not been released (you can have a hint about it by seeing the forest) plus both Apex and Contact have price tag that is about the same as this CDLC. But now, SOGPF and SH1944 come with almost half of the price of GM. This would be a bad start for Germany-based, Cold War-themed DLC.
So many things are not available in the game. I can understand if this DLC doesn't include jet as there is no air base. But the amount of helicopters offered by DLC are just too small. No Mi-24 for East Germany is a sin. And then the heavy vehicles... I just can't stand the all-black interiors. I hope at least Vertexmacht learned a bit from Heavy Ordnance Works by implementing all-black interior but with some creative peep hole/lens frame to make it less empty. If this point has been rectifed, I will change this review to "Recommended" since this is my biggest gripe.
Also I want to talk about the sound. This also falls under "too vanilla" criticism. GM doesn't have custom explosion sound like SOGPF and SH1944. Not mention, some vehicles use sound from vanilla game (like all helicopters except CH-53). But at least the sound of firearm is quite okay, although I hear some weapons have the same sounds as the other. I'm not firearm expert, but I will say that the sound is unique enough. I think this can be attributed to the fact that the weapons in this DLC are not many, they just come with so many variations (especially AK-74 and G3) instead of types. Still, I won't complain it considering the theme of this DLC.
And for positive, actually there are many, but I can say this isn't something many people would see when rating this CDLC: single player experience. Well I'll be honest, the quality are rather mediocre with some good moments and full German voice lines, but still it is worth a praise and of course, better than SOGPF which less fun to play solo and SP1944 which are very heavy and poor performance.
Talking about map, Weferlingen is the biggest premium map in Arma 3. Despite of that. surprisingly, or rather unsuprisingly. The game runs very smoothly unlike Cam Lao Nam and Normandy. Yes it is indeed a big map, but there are many empty land and it lacks elevation like mountains. But still, less lag means a win in my book. Plus while I never visit Germany, I still see 80s/90s vibe of Germany radiates from the towns Vertexmach has created.
Also, I should mention that the games come with winter version. And I would argue that two variations of map with home-made assets justify the price. I need to tell potential buyer that there are no other CDLC that gives you such content.
So in the end, I cannot recommend this CDLC to others. As much I love the work of team of two Arma veterans created such a big project (35 GB of CDLC is developed by two people), I don't see Global Mobilization is worth the money, considering the quality is not significantly better than CUP assets (especially vehicles). At least it doesn't feel like I was being robbed, like CSLA's Iron Curtain. Except, you have appreciation level like I do.
Lastly, I just want to point out some W from this CDLC but not worth shifting negative review. First is GM's AK reload is better SOGPF, for me this is very rare case where GM could reign supreme against SOGPF. Second is 2P16, if you just want to flatten a small part of Germany or other places. And of of course, a special tool that able to create a hole on the border just like in the 1.5 update trailer. Those who say the border can't be crossed just hasn't delved deep enough in the editor.