Powermonger: World War I Edition

Powermonger: World War I Edition is a data disk/expansion of the classic Powermonger by Bullfrog, released in 1991 for the Amiga and Atari ST.

As you can imagine, the expansion brings Powermonger into World War I. It would be better to define it as a "reskin" because the game is precisely the same, but instead of the medieval/fantasy settings, we are in Europe during the Great War. Weapons are now rifles and cannons, no more bows and swords. You also have tanks and planes. The map is no longer an archipelago but a reproduction of actual Europe.

As usual, the goal is to conquer the villages, and the best strategy would be choosing the ones producing the primary resources that are now fuel and ammo. The gameplay is the same, which means many different approaches are possible, and a simple "conquer and expand as much as you can" won't be enough for the most challenging levels. But this is why Bullfrog's success is such a good game.

As you already know, the graphic engine of Powermonger is terrific. What Peter Molyneux and Glenn Corpes were able to do is fantastic: you are not restricted to 90 degrees rotations; you can rotate and zoom in the playfield, not exactly like a complete 3D engine, but almost. Despite the very few pixels, the details of the soldiers and the environment are gorgeous, not to mention the impressive sound effects. As many users pointed out, The World War I edition makes everything more spectacular.

We are talking about one of the best strategy games created for the Amiga and one of the masterpieces of the '90s. If you have never played it, it's time to do it.