I just downloaded End War demo the other night and I must say its great to have a game that makes use of the headset again.  The last major title I played like this was the SOCOM series on my PS2.  Hell, even my Nintendo DS has games using the mic!  That minor point aside, I must say wow, what a great impression.  This is one of the first big league RTS games designed for use on a console that is hitting the market and I’m stoked for it.

The game definitely has a learning curve to it.  I suggest you become familiar with the different types of units, what they are used for, and all of the available commands for each unit as the commands will vary for what each unit is capable of.  Once you get use to what you need to say and what each unit can do, then you are set for an awesome time.

The control interface using the headset is very easy, and it will clearly understand you, even when you are screaming like a wild monkey ass into the mic.  I’m a pretty loud guy and the voice commands had me rated as below the optimal volume, once battle heats up and you are shouting at your TV it works like a charm.  Even when you trip up over yourself it still reads you without a problem if you just pause yourself for a second and start over.  In the demo you can only control about 12 units on screen at one time, which is probably a lot for some people’s capacity if they are engaged on several fronts.  Selecting multiple units at once helps with this though, if you have the time to do it.  Your actual view of the map is limited to hovering in a high camera position over your units, which you can move slightly.  So infantry you cannot see far with but Helicopters have a great vision range.  This gives the game a certain tactical feel and control without sacrificing the general feel of as a strategic title.  You can tell your troops to secure a location or garrison a building as you take on the role of a Commander.  Your enemies use strategy to achieve their objectives and will respond to your actions.  They don’t throw themselves mindlessly at you like other RTS games in the past, so be ready for it.

I haven’t figured out if you can set different waypoints other than those provided to you on the map automatically.  If not, that can be a strike against this game because when you want your troops to move to the edge of the forest and it takes time with the pointer/target you get annoyed.  The same goes for artillery barrages.

Aside from taking 30 minutes to cope with the learning curve, this demo is definitely worth the download.  I’m excited for the full version.  Any fan of strategy games should give this a look, the control interface and squad level views are worth it.  Even fans of squad based shooters might enjoy this due to its tactical feel.

Just be aware of your surroundings while shouting military commands into your mic.  The people you live with may not know you are playing a video game, which could be awkward for you if they are afraid to bring it up.  They may shun you or they may be nice to you so they don’t have to fear you killing them in your sleep.  But its great to use the headset again, it just gathers dust after you are annoyed with little kids cursing and racism on Halo and COD4.