izigame.me

The game is a turn-based that allocates action point resources to actions like shooting, reloading, moving, and special commands (i.e., giving orders, medic abilities, sniper abilities, close-combat abilities, etc.). The game has a timer to 'D-Day' and your objective is to prepare France for D-Day through the use of primarily French Partisans assisted by various allied nations.
The Positives:
- World War 2 Setting with a focus on French Resistance. The story delves into facets of the French Resistance and conversations between the characters between missions give you insight on their motivations. Little conversations like the French-Speaking Canadian soldier from Ontario that is finally seeing where his ancestors immigrated from and interacting with the French Resistance members was interesting to me.
- The 'Action-Point' system. The system works well, particularly when you find combinations that "unlock" renewable action points, extending your turn and making the later missions easier. Such as the close-combat ability to regain six action points upon melee kills. If you see a string of weaker soldiers together, you can take them out in one turn if you send in the character with that skill. Using the 'Order' command to clear a stretch of ground and set up flanks is also very rewarding.
- The Mission Types. There are three different mission types 'Ambush / Assault / Stealth' and each feel very different. 'Assault' reminds me of 'X-COM' whereas 'Stealth' reminds me of Commandos and avoiding sight-lines.
- The Load Out System. It consists of a Skill Tree, equipment load out, and weapon choices. The skill tree options are not too restrictive in the points you are allowed to allocate at Max Level and makes a significant difference in the play style. Equipment and Weapons vary only slightly, but I appreciate that they use historically accurate firearms. I find the satchel charge almost useless as it take two turns to detonate and the enemy will prioritise avoiding the blast zone, perhaps there is a use for it that I haven't discovered.
- Fatigue system is interesting and encourages you to rotate team members between missions.
Minus:
- Unclear Overall Objective. You are preparing France for 'D-Day' and there is a meter that shows the allied strength and enemy strength at the top of the map screen. I "assume" I need to completely fill the allied strength, but you are on a timer and enemy forces will damage regions and allied strength as you play. How best to fill the meter is unclear, it appears to be through securing regions but there are other bonuses for securing some regions more than others. I still have 18 Days to 'D-Day' so I am unsure if there are different 'endings' based on how filled the allied strength is by endgame. A bit more explanation was required to the strategy for the map section as players may focus on filling the wrong territories. It should be something that is re-explained by the commanders as you progress, or at least, you could find the explanation somewhere. I'd hate to win every mission but then lose the game because I did not secure the correct map sectors in order.
- Difficulty. I am playing on 'Normal' and find the game challenging but rewarding. I don't have issues with the difficulty but I can understand those that would because completion of the secondary objectives are almost mandatory as you will desperately need that additional XP and Supplies Bonuses. I would also recommend avoiding team members getting wounded if possible to deter having to allocate supplies to healing. Hold out spending supplies only on the top tier faction store options, but do use supplies for tasks (i.e., aid faction, recruit FFI, training). If you don't do this, you might struggle near the end game and that isn't exactly clear from the outset.
-Graphics and animations. Some of the environments and enemy graphics are great, but some of the animations such as the troops marching to a mission are incredibly awkward. Some player models do not look like their portrait and the player models are lacking detail. The US Commander and Lili in particular look nothing like the game's cover-art. Player models and clothing / uniform options need a graphic overhaul to make the game a bit more aesthetically appealing.