Anchors Away!
Most RTS games situate players on solid ground. Armies of soldiers, tanks and airplanes move about according to the player’s will, which results in glorious victory or crushing defeat. Unigine’s Oil Rush attempts to give strategy fans the same experience, only this time the battle takes to the seas and a dose of tower defense is added for good measure.
The world has been in conflict for some time and most of its landmasses have sunk underwater; the remaining factions of the world fight over the most precious commodity: oil. Players take on the role of Kevin, an up-and-coming officer in a militaristic organization known as the Sharks. With the help of a fellow pilot by the name of Firefly, Kevin leads a small army to different locations around the globe under orders from the leader of the Sharks, the mysterious “Commander”.
It is an interesting backdrop for this game, with characters that are trying to hold on to the last bits of civilization amidst a chaotic and evil world. The setting is very appealing, but the story, alas, is lackluster. The characters’ lines are very choppy and even though each mission helps the Sharks’ cause, there are very seldom moments when the story hits a pivotal point during combat that keeps the player hooked on it. A new development in the middle of a level is part of what makes RTS games fun and challenging, and with Oil Rush’s style of gameplay, such an addition could have made the experience second to none.
Master of the Seas
Before we dive into the gameplay, let me add a disclaimer that RTS games are not my strong suit. The biggest issue for me is micromanaging many units, as well as technology upgrades and research needed to make a specific unit as strong as possible. Imagine my surprise when I found a very simplified version of that in this game. The only things that there are to build are units and a variety of buildings that create both naval and air units automatically, from the small Piranha (a gun-equipped jet ski which is most effective in groups) to the Mantaray (the game’s most powerful aerial unit). The game does have a technology tree, and players must build units and invade other platforms as well as set up defenses in order to gain experience and unlock points for more technology. From a perk to speed up production to a nuclear bomb ability, choosing a tech can mean the difference between advancing forward or being consistently hammered by the enemy.
Looks like this fight is getting interesting...
This method of gameplay works well for the RTS-challenged folk, since players can mostly focus on taking the enemy’s platforms instead of fortifying their own bases. If units die in combat, the platforms where those units originated will automatically make more until they reach their limit, which makes it even easier for players to watch the fight unfold. The minimap also plays a huge role in the game. Multiple platforms that contain units can be selected on the map and a single right-click will send them to that specified location. All of this can be done while still keeping an eye on the main event unfolding on-screen, making the role of armchair general – or in this case, admiral – easier and accessible to all.
Protecting Your Assets
The tower-defense portion of the game is even easier than its offensive counterpart. Protecting your unit-producing buildings is obviously crucial, since they are responsible for creating your vast army. Some defensive units can protect these platforms, but they could be put to better use guarding oil rigs, since it is the one platform incapable of protecting itself. As for the rest, each factory can create five turrets around its borders to defend itself from opponents at sea and in the air. By protecting the oil rigs and having a steady flow of resources, building theses turrets makes your defenses look like an impregnable fortress. Upgrading each turret is even more beneficial, as it gets to a point where they are almost invulnerable to gunfire or missiles. Even if one of them is destroyed, it is very simple to reconstruct it again. Don’t expect it to be a walk in the park, however: multiple waves of enemies will keep you on your toes.
The Final Verdict
Earlier, I mentioned my weakness to RTS games. Oil Rush has become a good fit. Both diehard fans of the genre as well as initiates will enjoy the game for its simplicity and look. It looks fantastic, too, with a high level of graphical detail in units, combat and the seas themselves. And though the story may not be intriguing, this flaw is overshadowed by the exceptional gameplay. Play a few rounds of Oil Rush, and you’ll find yourself hooked on a unique game.
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