Massive Assault Network 2 - Hands-On
I Like to Hit Things
Strategy games are generally pretty complex. The player is given resources to build up massive armies, controlling them as single unit or as platoons; the ability to build large, sophisticated bases using a multitude of structures; and also mine, collect, pillage, or manage no small amount of capital to fund this expansive war. Massive Assault Network (MAN) 2 is a game that pares the strategy formula down to its basics: kicking butt and taking names.
MAN 2 (that acronym makes me laugh, I'm that immature) is an online-based strategy game that focuses on one-on-one combat. The player's ability to construct his own headquarters has been jettisoned; instead each combatant begins with one building from which he launches his army. Capital cannot be mined but is instead earned through conquering other neutral lands or various forms of victory. Capital is also kept extremely simple with units costing anywhere from 1 to 5 dollars. No inflation here! MAN 2 is turn-based (real-time, bah!) with each player given the ability to defend (if a neutral country is invaded by one player, the opponent controls guerilla forces working to repel invasion), recruit (buy more units), and combat (blow stuff up).
I Like To Hit Things Over the Interweb
Online play is a very important part of this game. It consists of a pretty simple set-up; players peruse a board that lists issued and open challenges, the rank of the challenger, the area that will act as a setting for the aforementioned massive assault, and other miscellaneous information. There is also the option to challenge one of two computer players to learn the ropes of the game. Being a gigantic sissy, I took the computer player option first. I'm too old and my ego is too fragile to have high school kids calling me names while I lose a MAN game.
This game presents a more simplified version of a traditional strategy game, it also features some nifty game rules. One aspect the game boasts is the concept of "Secret Allies." Each area map in MAN 2 is divided into small countries, each complete with its own base. Aside from the home countries of the player and opponent, all other countries in an area map are considered neutral. Secret Allies is a concept that gives each player a number of allies hidden from the opponent. The player can call on these allies at any point in the game for reinforcements. This is a nifty, simple strategic weapon and could pull a player's fat off the fire if things go poorly during a campaign.
MAN 2 is an easy-to-learn game that utilizes complex strategy. Players have very sparse funds and no means, besides conquering neutral territories, to gain massive amounts of capital. This makes even choosing one's army, whether it's using funds to purchase three weaker units or using all of it to purchase one heavily-armored unit, a large function of the strategy of play. MAN 2 plays a lot like a game of Risk. The area is laid out with defined countries that players must conquer and occupy; the more they conquer the more capital they'll have to purchase reinforcements.
I'm Not Good at Hitting Things
Players can expect a simple game consisting of, on average, a few rounds of combat against an online opponent. The strategy is complex, but the rules are easy to grasp and can accommodate many different playing styles: players who take the raging juggernaut role can theoretically do just as well as players who'll take on a Machiavellian role. Any of these players would probably be better than I was at this game. Que sera, sera.
MAN 2 is in beta test right now and players can join in an unregistered or registered capacity. Registration opens up 17 new maps for players to peruse in addition to the 4 maps included with the demo. Registration is done by subscribing at www.wargaming.net. I'd recommend playing a couple of games with the maps included in the demo before forking over the dough for registration, casual players, especially, should be able to get away with what comes in the demo.
-DoctorDoom99
