Conflict Zone
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| Conflict Zone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | MASA Group |
| Publisher | Ubi Soft |
| Platforms | Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Windows |
| Release | Windows Dreamcast PlayStation 2 |
| Genre | Real-time strategy |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
Conflict Zone is a war-themed real-time strategy game, developed by MASA Group and published by Ubi Soft for Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Windows. It was the final third-party game released for the Dreamcast in the US (on December 15, 2001) and was amongst the final five games overall released for the Dreamcast in PAL regions (on April 26, 2002).[3]
Story
[edit]In 2010, the majority of the world's developed countries have formed a centralised organisation, known as the International Corps for Peace, dedicated to bringing about world peace through worldwide media, but not all developing countries are keen to be involved. Ghost, a secret organisation, seeks only the economic interests of its members without any attachment to morals thus does not hesitate to create crisis situations which the International Corps for Peace is forced to solve, through humiliation, and healthy propaganda.
Gameplay
[edit]Conflict Zone feature two playable campaigns for each faction: the International Corps for Peace and Ghost as well as a Skirmish mode against the computer.
The Missions take place in various locations including a civil war in Ukraine and conflicts between Indonesia and Malaysia and a war between India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Niger.
Most missions usually require the player to build a base, train an army and then complete objectives in order to accomplish the mission.
Unlike most other traditional real-time strategy games, where a main resource pool is used to produce units and buildings, Conflict Zone uses a unique media coverage system where innocent civilians are the centerpiece and the factions offer different methods of approach.
Conflict Zone's main innovation was the use of propaganda, which was crucial in the game, coming in the form of Popularity Points to unlock units.
The International Corps for Peace employ highly trained units that can overwhelm their enemies directly but their actions are monitored by the news; Civilian welfare is a priority and neglecting them can drop their PP but sending and rescuing civilians via helicopter or bringing wounded soldiers will instead raise it.
Ghost, however, are lesser trained and thus weaker against the ICP's assault. However they can employ Cameramen units to film their havoc on their enemy's humanitarian efforts by destroying refugee helicopters and camps, intentionally put civilians in the crossfire and attack ICP forces, raising their standing with their member nations and their Popularity Points. Losing fights whilst in view with their Cameramen however drops their PP.
Conflict Zone also includes three AI Co-Commanders that the player can fund, interact and instruct which, in most cases, ease off some of the player's responsibilities. Each commander is tailored to a specific strategy: Attack, Defend, Commando and Specialist. By allocating resources, units and even bases to a co-commander, the player can have him/her perform various operations with whatever is at hand.
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamcast | PC | PS2 | |
| Metacritic | 55/100[4] | 59/100[5] | 47/100[6] |
| Publication | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamcast | PC | PS2 | |
| Eurogamer | N/A | 6/10[7] | N/A |
| GameSpot | 4.2/10[3] | 4.4/10[8] | N/A |
| GameSpy | 7.5/10[9] | 50%[10] | N/A |
| IGN | 5.6/10[11] | 6.7/10[12] | 4.1/10[13] |
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | N/A | N/A | 2.5/5[14] |
| PC Gamer (US) | N/A | 60%[15] | N/A |
| PC Zone | N/A | 70%[16] | N/A |
| PlayStation: The Official Magazine | N/A | N/A | 5/10[17] |
| X-Play | N/A | N/A | 1/5[18] |
The Dreamcast and PC versions received "mixed" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4][5][6]
References
[edit]- ↑ "GameSpot: PC News: Conflict Zone heading to stores". 2001-12-18. Archived from the original on 2001-12-18. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- ↑ "The Last Days of Dreamcast". Eurogamer.net. 2002-04-11. Archived from the original on 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- 1 2 Shoemaker, Brad (January 11, 2002). "Conflict Zone Review (DC)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- 1 2 "Conflict Zone for Dreamcast Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- 1 2 "Conflict Zone for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - 1 2 "Conflict Zone for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (June 7, 2001). "Conflict Zone (PC)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Beers, Craig (November 15, 2001). "Conflict Zone Review (PC)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Retrovertigo (December 24, 2001). "Conflict Zone". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Suciu, Peter (January 5, 2002). "Conflict Zone: Modern War Strategy". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 29, 2004. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Chau, Anthony (January 7, 2002). "Conflict Zone (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Blake, Bill (December 3, 2001). "Conflict Zone (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (November 26, 2002). "Conflict Zone (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Rybicki, Joe (December 2002). "Conflict Zone". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. p. 158. Archived from the original on June 26, 2004. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Poole, Stephen (December 25, 2001). "Conflict Zone". PC Gamer. Future US. p. 76. Archived from the original on October 6, 2003. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ Pratchett, Rhianna (2001). "PC Review: Conflict Zone". PC Zone. Archived from the original on June 24, 2007. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Review: Conflict Zone". PSM. Future US. January 2003. p. 42.
- ↑ Bemis, Greg (December 4, 2002). "'Conflict Zone' (PS2) Review". X-Play. TechTV. Archived from the original on December 16, 2002. Retrieved December 14, 2014.