In an RPG world full of orcs, elves, and dragons, it's rare to see an RPG game set in a non-fantasy environment.  Even rarer still, is an RPG set during World War II.  So rare in fact, that's probably never been done ... until now that it is.  Another War is an upcoming RPG from Cenega that places you into the heart of German occupied Europe.  We had the chance to play a pre-release demo of the game, and are happy to share our sneak peek with you.

The game opens in a village in France.  You have come to meet a distraught friend of yours at his urgent request.  When you catch up to him in a local cafe, he tells you of his work with the Nazis evaluating ancient artifacts.  Recently he came into possession of a book that included a mysterious map inside.  Just when he is about to reveal the importance of the map, the Gestapo storms the cafe.  You wake up a few hours later in a jail cell, and this is where your adventure really begins - an adventure that will take you across Europe and culminate in the streets of Leningrad during the height of the battle that ravaged the city.

Although it is set in Fortress Europa, Another War is not a military RPG.  While you'll certainly see your share of soldiers, weapons, tanks, and battles, Another War is primarily focused on the adventures of its protagonist as he makes his way through the mystery into which his friend pulled him.  The game is not above placing its tongue in cheek, though, and is filled with dark and sarcastic humor.  If you pay attention, you'll also see references made to many World War II movies and television shows: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Catch-22, and The Dirty Dozen to name a few.

Like most other RPGs, you'll have the ability to select a class for your character.  In Another War the classes are Strongman, Thief, and Intellectual.  These three classes cover the three major styles of RPG play, allowing you to brute force your way through the adventure, rely on stealth and speed, or compensate for weakness through cunning and special abilities, respectively.  Once you've selected a class you can spend a few discretionary points on your character's attributes (the starting values depend on the class that you selected).  The list of attributes will seem familiar to you if you've played RPGs before: strength, agility, intelligence, endurance, charisma, speed, and luck.  When you're done with the attribute adjustment, you're dropped into the game's story and begin play.

Another War's interface is derived from the familiar type used in Baldur's Gate and similar games.  You use the mouse to move around the 2D isometric environments, and also to interact with any objects present.  You can initiate conversation with anyone that you encounter (provided that they are not hostile and shooting at you), and as conversations unfold you will be given a selection of responses from which to choose.  The choices you make will affect the NPCs' reactions to you and the direction of your conversations.

Should hostilities ensue, the game switches into combat mode.  You'll have the option of using "Lazy Mode" combat, which makes you character attack an enemy continually once an enemy has been targeted, or a more traditional mode in which you must initiate each and every strike or shot.  While some RPG purists might be inclined to shrug off the lazy mode, it is actually a big help during gunfights when your target refuses to stay still.

At this stage in its development, Another War does not look like it will be pushing the envelope in terms of graphics.  The game bears a striking resemblance to the first Baldur's Gate, which is several years old at this point.  However, the unique setting, interesting story, and element of humor certainly make Another War a game to watch for.  RPGs aren't supposed to be about stunning graphics, they're supposed to be about immersive stories and memorable characters, right?

Look for Another Wall to be released in late fall or early winter.