ICBM: Escalation

ICBM: Escalation is a game from a Russian studio SoftWarWare. It is a sequel to 2020's ICBM. As before, we are dealing with a combination of an RTS and a grand strategy in a form similar to the board game Risk. We have weapons of mass destruction at our disposal and we issue orders to entire armies in order to ensure our global domination.

Historical realities

The timeline in the game spans from the early Cold War to the near future, taking advantage of multi-generational technology. We start with jets and weapons that still remember World War II, and we end with warships with reduced detectability and armed satellites. In ICBM: Escalation we can witness the conclusion of international agreements such as the Geneva Convention banning the use of certain weapons.

Gameplay

The gameplay in ICBM: Escalation is observed on an interactive globe. It revolves around combat, research and production. Defensive systems, stealth and detecting enemy units, as well as the range and lethality of weapons, change depending on the research conducted by us and our opponents.

In our military struggle, we balance conventional and nuclear forces, which include a triad of air-, sea-, and land-launched missiles. Ground combat relies on the army, as well as significantly weaker but faster covert special forces that can operate beyond war. Most of the battles are fought around air bases and naval task groups. The emphasis on conventional warfare allows for the annexation of enemy territories, providing additional strategic benefits.

In addition to military actions in ICBM: Escalation, we also engage in trade and diplomacy by negotiating the takeover of areas or ceasefires. Research and production share one "resource" that we manage using a percentage slider. Depending on our decision, we can develop faster, paying for it with a smaller number of structures and units.

Game modes

ICBM: Escalation includes many types of single-player campaigns, varying in terms of speed and complexity of the research tree. In addition, the game offers multiplayer for up to 10 players, including a team co-op mode. Good results in our games result in a higher position in the table based on the Elo chess ranking.

The game includes full support for mods.

Graphics

ICBM: Escalation takes place on a large, high-resolution, 3D map spanning the entire globe. The objects on the globe are monochrome low poly models.