Game Site: uk.desert-operations.com
Developer: next idea GmbH
Desert Operations is an OSG with a refreshing modern-warfare theme.
The most impressive aspect of the game is the graphics. There are some great 3d rendering that really convey the feel of leading a South American drug cartel.
The number one resource in Desert Operations is money. This is generated by your “residential houses” and “skyscrapers”, and is used to build pretty much everything. The other resources are ammunition, oil, and gold. The ammunition is used by your soldiers every time they go into battle. Similar to Nile Online or Torpia, oil is refined into Kerosene and Diesel, which is consumed by your tanks and aircraft every time they go into battle.
One interesting asepct of the game is that most of the buildings have “extensions”. For example, in the Barracks there are extensions for “Tank Exercise” and “Firing Range” that are needed to build tanks and foot soldiers respectively. This could be a little confusing as it may be hard to find the extensions you’re trying to build. Also, each builing can only be built in its specific slot, meaning when the tutorial says “Build a University”, you have to click around to find the right slot.
Combat also seems a little complicated. There are foot soldiers, tanks, air, and sea units, and units can also be given formations. Once you get the hang of it though, it can give a new element of strategy that’s not present in some of the simpler games like Travian.
The game has a few UI problems (many screens such as the battle simulator open on top of the map, and then have their own scroll and close, which is a little difficult to navigate, and the gave is simply too tall to fit on my screen (ie I cannot see my resources and the bottom of the main window at the same time) and some translation errors, but otherwise is a pretty solid presentation and a pretty fun game. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who’s looking for something different than a mediavel or space themed OSG.
