Axis & Allies

by Atari

Product Features

• Real-time strategy game
• Control the armies, navies, and air power of one of 5 world powers
• Campaigns change each time they're played, leading to different outcomes
• Go up against history's greatest generals, including Rommel, Eisenhower, and Yamamoto
• Online multiplayer option

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00029QR92
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 1.5 inches
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: November 2, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,280 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

World War II is In Your Hands. Determine the fate of the world as you command the army, navy, and air force of one of the five world powers in the most dynamic WWII Real Time Strategy experience you’ve ever booted up. The start of the conflict is 1939. The end? Well, that all depends on you.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

173 of 181 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, but fails its potential, November 11, 2004

By 

G. Fisher (Fresno, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Axis & Allies (CD-ROM)

I am 40 years old, and not a hardcore PC gamer. I do love traditional strategy games, and played everything from chess to Risk and the A&A board game growing up.

I only own about three or four PC games. I quite liked the first PC version of A&A, as it was like the board game, but sped up with the computer rolling the dice, etc. When I heard about this release, I couldn't wait, and eagerly shelled out the $49.99 (I see it is already only $45.99 here on Amazon).

I just wanted to let you know where I was coming from before I gave my review. My initial impressions are mixed, but overall, I am somewhat disappointed. This may change as I play more.

I have to say I love the idea. The traditional board game strategy, with the ability to "micromanage" the battles in real time. In fact, in the WWII mode, you can play the whole game from the game board perspective, using the computer to resolve the battles based on relative strengths, or you can choose to do any particular battle, offensive or defensive, in the micro mode, and then on that level, it is like a whole new game, with great graphics and all.

The biggest disappointment as a fan of the traditional board game version and the original PC version, is that on the board game level, it is not much like the original game. You do not start out with choices like ships, subs, and planes to deploy, only infantry or mechanized infantry. The Ocean spaces on the board do not serve as any type of natural barrier, as any type of piece can move to any adjoining space. So, for example, German infantry can attack Great Britain as easily as Russia on the mainland. In fact, as another reviewer mentioned, if you choose to play the board game level, and not use the real-time strategy level to resolve battles, the game is simply a rush to deploy infantry and gobble up territory. If you play the U.S., the game will be over in about 5 or 6 turns as Moscow and London fall before you can really get in the battle.

Also, the technology doesn't have things like heavy bombers and super subs, etc.

I really wish that on the game board, turn by turn level, the PC game was true to the Board game. I agree with others that if you are an A&A fan you are in for a disappointment.

Other complaints I have are that, for example, the tool bar has fancy graphics, that I think are unnecessary, and cut down on the viewable area of the map, which should be a prime focus in designing the interface. Also, the tool bar has separate buttons for moving and attacking, so you have to click the piece you want, then click move button or attack button, then click the territory you want to move to or attack. And if you click the move button, then a hostile territory, it tells you you can't move to a hostile territory, you must attack. This three-step process seems like such a waste, when the two actions are mutually exclusive. Why can't you just drag the piece to the space you want, and then the computer should be able to know if it is friendly you want to move there, and if it is hostile, you want to attack? This is just one example.

Finally, keep your manual handy, as although there are PCtutorials, they only deal with the real time combat level, and you'll be unable to figure out how to play the board game level, because of problems like the one I just described above, without digging through the book.

Now, having said that, I am trying to learn this game better, and enjoy it in its own right. I think that is possible. And I haven't tried many of the campaign options, so they might be fun also. It does have great graphics, and that is why I gave it 3 stars (instead of 1 or 2).

101 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars If you like RTS games this might be alright...., November 10, 2004

By 

Erik Ryan "ibnalnoor" (Jacksonville, Arkansas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Axis & Allies (CD-ROM)

but if you wanted to buy a game like Axis and Allies then avoid this game like the plague. Like all RTS games there is little real strategy to the game. It is simply who can build the fastest and move around the board the fastest. The lack of naval and air power is amazing. Oh, those units are there, kind of. They are strictly a tack on to the RTS portions of the game. You do not actually build them like you did in A&A. There is literally nothing to stop the Germans from invading Britain in the openning rounds.

As the Americans, I defeated 6 Japanese units, 2 armored and 4 infantry in China, with only one defensive unit as they call them. Eventually through constantly beating their attacks each turn, I was able to destroy the majority of the Japanese army in Asia. There was no strategy to it. It was basic RTS. Build as fast as you can and rush them out there in mobs. This game exemplifies why I hate RTS games in general and I really wish they had added this feature in some better fashion. RTS games have no strategy in the real military sense. I guess there is some, but in my experience they are simply building as fast as possible and rushing your men out in massive mobs. This is not why I buy military games.

Again, if you like the standard RTS games out there, this might add an extra dimension, which you might like. But, and this is a huge but, if you wanted a game like the old A&A with a little bit of RTS added on, then this is not for you. The RTS is clearly a distraction from the old game and not an addition. I consider this game to be the biggest waste of my money in several years.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the board game !, November 10, 2005

By 

Andreas Alexandrakis "aa350" (FLUSHING, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Axis & Allies (CD-ROM)

Reading the previous reviews many have rated it bad because people are expecting something like the board game. If you read the comments it says "INSPIRED BY THE BOARD GAME" It does not say exactly like the board game.

I have the board game and I love it, Whenever we can get a group of people we play.

This PC version is great it has great graphics "smoke, construction, fires, explosions, ect. ect."
It is pretty cool on how the construction is portrayed.

The battlefields and the missions get harder and harder.
Overall if you are expecting a board game do not buy this get the board game. If you are looking for a PC game with great graphics then buy this game.