I have played World in Conflict for about 6 years now and I strongly recommend it. It is one of the best games I have ever played. The graphics are still fantastic years later. The mechanics have a property of "emergent difficulty"--they are simple at first, allowing the player to be engaged, but over time the complexity of the game reveals itself and even now, 6 years later, I am learning new tactics and ways to play. After playing WiC, other strategy games are simply not as satisfying.

Common questions answered:

Why does the game crash after loading?

This issue arises on Windows 7. The developers never resolved it as support was mostly cut after Massive was acquired by Ubisoft, but the crash is easily fixable. Go to your "My Documents" folder in Windows and find the "World in Conflict" folder. Then, scroll to the "Game Options" text file. Be careful not to edit anything unintentionally. Scroll to the "MyDX10Flag" and change the number next to it to zero. The game should run without problems. Visit massgate.net and post in General Discussion if you still have issues, we will try to help.

Is the game still active online?

There are always 2 servers full with a variety of maps in their rotation. There are many experienced players around, especially on the forums, who can help you learn the game mechanics and ideal tactics. The activity level started falling in 2009 but has remained steady at about 2000-3000 players active since 2012. This is not a lot, but it is plenty to be able to enjoy all that WiC has to offer for new players. Visit the forums at massgate.net to talk to experienced players.

Is the campaign good?

The campaign has an intriguing story but it is not as tactically engaging as the multiplayer portion. I recommend playing the campaign to familiarize yourself with the game functions and then to dive into the multiplayer. Many players are agressive to new players, but these people are often bad, so you should simply ignore them and try your best.

Any tips for gameplay?

1. Don't move your units in a blob. Try to separate them.
2. As a beginner, don't use artillery units. If you do use them, use only one. Your team will appreciate it.
3. Don't be discouraged! As you play more, you will get a lot better and soon you'll be laughing at the noobs who play like you used to.
4. Use the chat and the "Q" button commands to communicate with the other players on your team.

I hope you will try out WiC. If you don't want to pay, you can easily pirate the game on piratebay.se or your favorite torrent site, but you'll need a game key to play online. Message me or go online to massgate.net/forums.php if you have any questions.

Overall: 10/10
Gameplay/Mechanics: 10/10
Story: 8/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound effects, voice acting, and music: 10/10
Community: 5/10 unless you find experienced players

From the developer of Ground Control and Ground Control 2, I really shouldn't have to say anything more than that.

Though now defunct, this real time strategy features one of the most unique multiplayer systems. Each player on a team assumes controle of a different branch: Infantry, Armor, Air, or Support. This makes for a more cooperational multiplayer experience that you can't get in any other real time strategy, perfect for a LAN party. Much like the Ground Control series, this game has no base building and relies entirely on dropping units into supply zones and maximizing their utility.

The single player campagin is very scripted allowing for spectacular showcases of destruction. I play through it every few years. The graphical fidelity of this game crushed computers upon release and they still hold up to this day.

Sure to please any fan of the real time strategy genre, as a fairly hidden gem, this title would make a wonderful gift.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_in_Conflict

Here is my Review of World in Conflict

I remember picking up this game when it first came out like 4-5 years ago, I really wanted this game because this was the first modern military RTS I saw and it was actually very graphically pleasing so I knew I had to pick it up. Im glad I did, I loved this game, it was the only game I played for a number of months when I originally bought it. But I bought it again it over the Black Friday sale, I got the original game "World in Conflict" and the second installment "Soviet Assault" (Which I haven't played yet as I am writing this, but I will!). It was really one of a kind when it came out because Wargame didn't release yet and neither did Endwar so it really was a new step in RTS gaming in my opinion.

The game is set in 1989 during the fall of the Soviet Union. The game starts off with the Russians Invading American from the northwest coast and overwhelming the national guard forces and you have to push them back off the mainland, you also play in Europe and Russia which prequel the Soviet Invasion on America. You play as Captain/First Lieutenant Parker, it's one of those games where your face is never shown and you don't talk. You can command US and Nato forces in the Campaign but you can also play the Russians in Multiplayer (You can play as the Russians in Campaign with the "Soviet Assault" add on) The campagin is excellent and scripted very well.

I would say this game is a cross between Endwar, Joint Task Force and Wargame, I would say it's more like Joint Task Force and Endwar even though individual soldiers and vehicles are stock threw out the game and you cannot be upgraded but how the camera works its similar to the Endwar mechanic as well as telling units where to go, but it is actual military vehicles like JTF and Wargame but the maps are not as massive and the game is definitely less chaotic. The game is quite story based it's not really open world do whatever you want, you are kinda told what to do but the way you do an objective can vary. The Multiplayer at least in my experience is quite sparse, there is usually only 1 lobby with people and that's about it, but each lobby can have up to 16 people.

My final verdict is this game is excellent, it is definitely one of the best Military RTS's on the market if not the best, you should definitely pick this game up again if you like Wargame, Joint Task Force and Endwar.
Cheers \m/

P.S. I recommend trying this mod out, it makes all the vehicles modern, it improves the graphics and a lot more, but it does still have a few things that can be fixed but I have hope that the mod will get better. http://www.moddb.com/mods/wicmw

Just wanted to say that my game is working fine on Windows 8.1 with 64 bit. I was very apprehensive after all the comments saying it wouldn't work. I bought the Complete Pack, which includes Soviet Assault. So far I've only downloaded WIC and begun playing that without issue. I will update once Soviet Assault is downloaded to let others know if it is playable. Really great game so far considering it's age.

UPDATE: 5/30/15 Soviet Assault did not work when installed with WIC. However, what I've found is that Soviet Assault is actually the full version of WIC with new maps thrown in. So.....if you buy the Complete Pack as I did, DO NOT install WIC at all. Install Soviet Assault ONLY and you will get all the maps and your game will work fine.

As for a review, Metacritic scores seem to be on the money. The campaign doesn't last long. Replayability is moderate. Seems to lack depth as far as strategy is concerned, but overall a great buy at $9.99.

As of 2016 and windows 10, this game does not work.
If you have played this game on release, you know it had a nice story and good gameplay in the campaign.
The MP was sometimes epic and pretty good.

Now, Ubisoft closed the servers and doesnt support this game anymore.
Making this game unplayable on modern pc's (dx 10, windows 10).
Thats also the reason you cannot buy this game anymore on steam.

Most unheard of/ underated game I've ever played. Brilliant campaign and even better multiplayer and although the servers are quiet nowadays theres still a small fan base playing. Definatly worth picking up in the sale.

Its a bloody masterpiece. Takes the best aspects of traditional fast paced RTS's and removes all the low intensity activities like resource collection, base building, and lenghty timers. The game is nearly 100% moving troops in the field, storming objectives, deploying assets, and calling in aid and strikes on active targets. Combat is the sole focus, and its paired with a fantastic campaign and absolutely timeless gameplay.

Honestly a complete masterpiece of a RTS. Wish more people would play, and I hope Massive Entertainment makes a sequel.

One of the best RTS games out there! Excellent graphics even for today (especially since today's machines allow it to be run with the full settings).

I'll try to keep it short:

by the way, I did not play the multiplayer.

Pro's:

- Very good looking Strategy Game
- Interesting Story
- Innovative camera
- Play on both sides (USSR+ USA) which diminishes the good/bad cliche a bit.

Con's:

- unfortunately no Building, just calling reinforcements (you have to use a points system, the reinforcements get dropped in via airplane)
- gets a bit repetitive after a while (In every mission you either have to conquer a spot or hold it, or both^^)
- Story-ending to open for my taste
- Normal mode is too easy
- in some parts the story is too cliche. (I don't want to spoil, but you will see it when you play the game)

Conclusion:

Can recommend it for strategy fans who do not need a serieus challenge and are ok with not being able to build a base!

First campaign in a game actualy got emotional over, multiplayer is incredibly fun however not a ton of people play it anymore, great game 10/10