However, the game is compelling enough to ensure players will stick with it, requiring as it does some deep tactical thinking. The interface is also nice and accessible, making this one a good choice for newcomers to the genre, but don't expect an easy ride as the AI here is pretty tough. Battles are decided on dice rolls, with units having attack and defense values and which determine how likely they are to defeat their enemy, and this is a system which works nicely thanks to its relative simplicity and speed. Each of the scenarios represent a different aspect of warfare, requiring different tactics to complete successfully, but it isn't all about combat, with resource management also coming into play. The game plays out in turn-based fashion, with players choosing their side (from the USSR, Japan, Germany, Britain and the US), selecting their troops and vehicles, including tanks, aircraft and submarines, and then engaging in several unique scenarios to prove their skills at command. This Iron Blitz edition adds in several features which expand on its predecessor and make it a fine addition to any strategy buff's collection.
Inspired by the popular board game of the same name, the Axis and Allies series of games is an immensely popular one, thanks to its combination of challenging, tactical gameplay and the ability to replay famous historical battles from WWII.
