Software Focus: Full Spectrum Warrior

Full Spectrum Warrior is unusual in that it's a military game and is often mistaken for a first person shooter. However this couldn't be further from the truth- it IS a military game, and it DOES involve shooting (Among other things), but you as the player lead the teams- this is about Command and Control.

From the official website, "Based On A Training Aid Developed For The U.S. Army*, Full Spectrum Warrior is a squad-based real-time combat game that allows players to experience the intensity and gritty realism of urban combat warfare. As Squad Leader, take command and coordinate the actions of two infantry squads (Alpha and Bravo) leading them through a hostile urban warzone. " More info is available at- http://www.fullspectrumwarrior.com

At first I found this game a bit annoying becasue I'm such a fan of the"shooters", but after an hour or so it really grew on me. The missions become increasingly harder to complete and it's annoying because you can see who needs to be shot and what objectives need to be completed, but you can only direct your 2 teams of 4 to do it!

The game includes a very comprehensive training regime (MOUT 101) which covers off everything you need to know to compelte the missions. MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) is the term used to describe any type of military action where battles take place in an environment where man-made construction or high population density is the dominant feature, such as a city or town. This type of fighting requires strategies that differ immensely from fighting on other types of terrain, such as large deserts or jungles.

The graphics and sounds are fantastic. The keyboard controls are very basic and quick to learn, again probably because you don't actually have to things like shoot, provide first aid, etc- you simply command your troops to do it.

I can see why the US Military is using this software to train potential leaders. Check it out, you won't be disappointed....