Massive Assault Network

Additional Screenshots

In the world of computer gaming, there are a few major companies that dominate the industry. But what about the other guys? It is not necessary to look to EA, Eidos, Blizzard, or Activision for the best games on the market. Sure, some of their titles are unstoppable. But have you ever thought of looking at a lesser known company? Wargaming.net has created a new turn based strategy game called Massive Assault Network; M.A.N for short. Even though you may not believe it, M.A.N is a professional strategy game complete with excellent graphics, detailed maps, and mentors to help you learn the ropes of multiplayer gaming.

Control New World Planets

Basically, the world has gone under numerous changes; through wars, technological advances, and economic depressions. At the end of the third World War in 2056, the Free Nations Union is created and enjoys a time of peace and prosperity filled with technological advances. Life was good until 2090, when terrorists hijacked spaceships and destroyed Arabian and Russian oil pools along with uranium mines. The earth has come to a period of instability and economical decline, and the Free Nations Union starts to decline as well. After a fourth Russian Revolution, the Phantom League is created in hopes of achieving global domination, and a global revolution is started. News from a space exploration team tells earth that planets have been discovered in outer space which can be inhabited by humans. In wake of the news, the Free Nations Union and the Phantom League are out to control these new planets, and as a result, wars for the “New Worlds” begin. You must choose to play as either the Free Nations Union or the Phantom League, and then engage with other players across the internet for control of New World planets.

An Easy Single Player Practice Goes to a HARD Game

Before getting started into the M.A.N multiplayer world, you have the option of going through a single player training session along with three scenarios and one World War setup.

Additional Screenshots

I found the training to be very helpful, as it is both interactive and features a voice to guide you along. The training won't teach you nearly half of the important strategies that you will need to master in M.A.N, but it is very fortunate for noobs that it has been included. Once you are done with the multiple training missions, you can try out the scenarios. They are pretty basic, and I was able to beat them rather easily. Nonetheless, good practice. After my easy pass through the scenarios and training, I figured the World War would be no biggie. Boy was I wrong. The difficulty level of the game made a HUGE leap, despite the fact that I had not changed the difficulty level from easy. I was thrown into an intense battle situation within a few turns, and I found myself hopelessly losing every time I restarted. After this, I decided to seek help from a “mentor.”

That's What Friends (Mentors) Are For

Since the M.A.N online user community is not as big as the BF1942 community, it is easier to get to know players and seek advice from them. Once you create a new account, a mentor will challenge you. You can ask a mentor questions about the game, and he/she will help you get a foothold in online gameplay. I asked my mentor a few questions about the game, and he very nicely told me the answers to all of my inquiries. Having a mentor is one thing I have never seen in an online game. It was a great idea to include in the M.A.N community, especially since the game is so hard.

Turn Based Gameplay Means Waiting

Gameplay in M.A.N is turn based. You can send challenges to other players, or join games where an opponent is wanted. When it is your turn to play, you have the ability to engage in combat, purchase new units, or disclose any secret allies (this will be explained later).