Interwave has released the fifth of the six planned tutorial videos for their FPS/RTS hybrid Nuclear Dawn. The video teaches players on how to control their troops and use them in various scenarios- in battle, exploration, collection etc.

Nuclear Dawn was released on PCs and MACs this September, and will be released on the Xbox 360 later this year. Stay tuned for more info.

Nuclear Dawn is a breath of fresh air for the genre. I was very impressed when I played a few games, as it really showed glimpses of brilliance. There are a few faults and some niggling issues here and there, though. First of all, Nuclear Dawn is a FPS + RTS hybrid that plays really well. The developers knew what they were doing here and it shows. You really won’t have any problem with the gameplay mechanics on offer as it is quite straightforward. The game is a multiplayer only shooter, so there if you need a comprehensive package, you won’t find it here but what you’ll find is a well-made squad based multiplayer experience that works quite well.

The game runs on the Source Engine and doesn’t really require any high-end computer to run, as you would expect with that engine. Also, the thing that is baffling is that you don’t really have many options to play with either. The commander is the central figure in the game, who can build structures and manage the other things that are so essential in a RTS game. People who are not fortunate enough to be the commander go head-to-head in battle in the classic first-person shooter style. You can do a vote kick against the commander if you feel he isn’t doing a good job. It’s all well implemented here.

There are two factions, namely the Consortium and the Empire. They really don’t feel all that different from each other except the colors. You can pick any faction or one of the four classes in-game when you die. It’s a game of controlling the territory and aggressively pushing forward and defending your base against an onslaught as well. Once you push into the heart of the enemy base and destroy the bunker the game is yours. The game supports 32 players so it really feels busy at times, as if you are in a real battlefield. Of course, graphically you can’t expect a lot here but still, it looks great considering it is running on an old Source Engine.

There are a lot of weapons to choose from here. I liked the Sniper implementation as it reminded me of the Killzone 2/3 Sniper who has the ability to cloak. Here it is more pronounced as you can really miss someone camping while cloaking. The weapons range from SMGs to Assault Rifles to the damn Chaingun as well. I really hate this gun in this game, as it feels very powerful to me combined with an insane range. If you end up anywhere close to a guy with a Chaingun, you won’t make it out of the battle in most situations. Other than this, the game feels quite balanced and all the weapons pack a punch. Destroying structures with weapons other than RPGs rarely works though and is very time consuming.

There can be a lot of tactical gameplay on offer here if you are pit against a good team and if you are in a team with people who know what they are doing, especially the commander. The spawn system is pretty decent as you don’t have to wait a lot of time to get into the action. I love the maps in the game, they really promote some good close quarters combat and long range action. Some of the map design is just brilliant. There are quite a few available at your disposal here. I am really fond of the abandoned Arab map, which gives a feeling of loneliness. There are six maps here and they are all well created. if your teammates are aggressive, you can win any games easily but it also depends on the opponent.

The learning curve is slightly high here, as I mentioned before due the lack of a single player component. Even a decent tutorial would have helped as mostly you have to learn through trial and error. The server browser is pretty decent and you can join games quickly. I haven’t encountered any lag in this game and it seems like the developers really put an effort into the netcode. It’s one of the main reasons why the game is so much enjoyable if you find a good game. There are a lot of options to communicate with your teammates especially with voice chat and the classic press ‘T’ to chat that makes PC online gameplay a lot of fun for people who are unable to voice chat due to the lack of a mic.

Nuclear Dawn is a simple straightforward game. You need to learn all the gameplay mechanics before you can become competent at the game, and it will take a while and if you do it will reward you with some find tactical FPS and RTS goodness. The game runs well, and the visions of the designers are realized here as it doesn’t get too much annoying. I would have liked a single player component though, as it would have served two purpose – making people familiar with the game and also giving them less competitive gameplay to hone their skills. As it stands now, the game is still well worth buying if you are looking for a different yet fun multiplayer game on the PC.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

Check out a new tutorial for the upcoming game Nuclear Dawn. The game looks amazing and reminds me of a lot of games. The guns are beautifully detailed and the gameplay looks smooth. I have the game with me right now, so stay tuned for the complete preview of it in a few days.

Nuclear Dawn is a Source engine based Multiplayer game that combines the visceral action of a First Person Shooter with the deep branching gameplay of a Real Time Strategy title. Forge your own destiny on the field of battle with every tactical decision, and ensure your faction’s survival with each headshot, capture buildings and bring the fight to your enemies’ strongholds riding the future’s machines of destruction.

Many of you probably don’t know what Nuclear Dawn is, and that’s because the game came out of nowhere. It really looks good so tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Iceberg Interactive and InterWave Studios have released launch trailer for the upcoming FPS/RTS hybrid Nuclear Dawn.

In Nuclear Dawn, you take the role of a soldier and explore war-torn post-apocalyptic landscapes, modelled on modern cities. Take the fight to your enemies as armoured, assault or stealth infantry, using various weapons across ten distinct load-outs to accomplish your objectives. The first person shooter action in Nuclear Dawn is hard, fast and unforgiving, with weapons that rely on skill and tactics more than on twitch reflexes and map memorization.

Iceberg Interactive and Just A Game have  announced that they have come to an agreement to bring InterWave Studios’ Nuclear Dawn to retailers across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia and the Benelux in October of 2011. Nuclear Dawn, to be released on PC and MAC, is going to feature an FPS/RTS hybrid experience within a single gameplay model. According to the devs, this will be done “without crippling or diluting either side of the game.”

Iceberg will be rewarding retail buyers of Nuclear Dawn with in-box exclusives and goodies. Confirmed are poster-size maps of in-game cities in birds-eye view; the original artwork collection including the storyboards, concept art and various other artwork such as sketches of characters, landscapes and weapons; exclusive interviews, inspirations and signed pictures of the development team; and the full soundtrack album.

Iceberg Interactive boss Erik Schreuder says: “Renowned developers have tried it before but InterWave have pulled it off; the ultimate mesh-up between shooter and strategy put together in the stunning looking game world that is Nuclear Dawn. We’re extremely excited to be publishing a boxed version jampacked with bonus materials in various major territories in Europe, especially in the vibrant German market. I am happy with this first co-operation with Just A Game that just may be the forebode of more as well.”

“We are very happy to cooperate with Iceberg Interactive in GSA, BeNeLux and Scandinavia. A good production needs a very experienced and highly motivated team to get the awareness it deserves. From the very beginning Iceberg have spared no effort to prove that they are ambitious and the perfect partner for Nuclear Dawn,” Christian Sauerteig, Director Sales & Licensing at Just A Game.

Here’s some info on the game, as given to us by the devs:

In Nuclear Dawn, you take the role of a soldier and explore war-torn post-apocalyptic landscapes, modelled on modern cities. Take the fight to your enemies as armoured, assault or stealth infantry, using various weapons across ten distinct load-outs to accomplish your objectives. The first person shooter action in Nuclear Dawn is hard, fast and unforgiving, with weapons that rely on skill and tactics more than on twitch reflexes and map memorization.

Then, take Nuclear Dawn above the action, and play as the commander. Organize your fellow players in squads, and assign them to tactical objectives. Plan the resource routes for your army, and production of your structures for forward deployment. Exploit the terrain and resource point locations to block your enemies’ advance, and crush their plans in an iron fist. Research and implement new technologies to give your soldiers the edge on the battlefield, and set up