Original War

 PC
Original War Image
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: A real-time strategy game in which the plot influences mission objectives and which has multiple endings depending on player's actions. Contrary to other games, there is no other way of creating new human units. Each man or woman is unique. [Altar Interactive]

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. GameSpy
    88
    The game's combination of strong story, seriously tactical real-time battles, gorgeous graphics, and real-time role-playing, make this one of the best surprises of the year.
  2. Game Over Online
    80
    Less good than the interface, but not bad by any means is Original War’s graphics.
  3. PC Gamer
    80
    To underestimate this lively RTS game would be a mis-step for fans of the genre. [Mar 2002, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. GameZone
    70
    The sound track leaves something to be desired. The music is good, and the effects are typical or what one would expect, but the vocal characterizations are not that good, and the game is laced with strong language (profanity).
  5. Computer Gaming World
    60
    Despite the somewhat rough production values, Original War delivers interesting small-scale RTS action. [May 2002, p.81]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Computer Games Magazine
    50
    The sort of real-time strategy game that would have been heralded as innovative, or even original, had it been released several years ago.
  7. IGN
    45
    The game makes noble attempts to take the RPG elements of character importance and development and blend them with a twisted real-time strategy, but although the effort is commendable in spirit, the final outcome is so harshly lacking in so many departments that it actually hurts to play it.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. SiNTEx
    Mar 9, 2014
    10
    I played it first time when I was about 8 years old. Now I'm 18 and still play OW. For me it's best RTS ever made. Till now (2014) there is aI played it first time when I was about 8 years old. Now I'm 18 and still play OW. For me it's best RTS ever made. Till now (2014) there is a active community releasing patchs and playing multiplayer.… Expand
  2. gertasik
    Jun 12, 2013
    10
    I can't believe how underrated this gem is! It is probably the most fun I have ever had playing an RTS game. After so many years, it hasn'tI can't believe how underrated this gem is! It is probably the most fun I have ever had playing an RTS game. After so many years, it hasn't lost any of its charm and I still like to beat the campaign from time to time. Don't hesitate to try it!… Expand
  4. Genezi
    Jun 10, 2017
    10
    Great game. i have spent a lot of time on this title. It has a great story with memorable characters. Good gameplay with lots of possibilitiesGreat game. i have spent a lot of time on this title. It has a great story with memorable characters. Good gameplay with lots of possibilities during missions and best cut scenes with good dialogs.… Expand
  5. DelMann2
    Jan 28, 2014
    10
    Game is fantastic. Its metascore is irrelevant. Those guys just can't appreciate such art and soul that was put into this game. Certainly aGame is fantastic. Its metascore is irrelevant. Those guys just can't appreciate such art and soul that was put into this game. Certainly a masterpiece.… Expand
  6. MantrimasZ.
    Apr 12, 2006
    10
    This game is great i played it and i liked it very much. I would like to play this game with someone.
  7. John
    Mar 29, 2006
    9
    A combination of original story, a combination of tatical battles and rpg, and a game that in an RTS style comes across as a Jagged Alliance A combination of original story, a combination of tatical battles and rpg, and a game that in an RTS style comes across as a Jagged Alliance type of game, which in my view is a great compliment. This may be hard to find now, but could be very cheap if you do. Based on how good it is and how cheap you will probably get it for, I could give it a 12! But I settled with a 9, and for me a 9 is very good score as I barely give out 10's!… Expand
  8. Ansatsu83
    Aug 14, 2014
    5
    This game is actually fun but some major gripes are preventing me from truely enjoying it. While I realize its an older game I noticed theThis game is actually fun but some major gripes are preventing me from truely enjoying it. While I realize its an older game I noticed the voice acting is TERRIBLE! It was so bad I actually had to turn off character voices. Most of the characters chaffed me from the start, the female characters sounded like teenage boys who had their audio tweaked. Half of the male characters remind me of Kyle Schwartz from South Park (dont know who he is, look him up!) The other half remind me of the stereotypical Duke Nukem style character that was incredibly popular in that era.

    On top of this, the game play feels slow and sluggish. Its not bad but it could have been done quite a bit better. Other games, which came out around the same time, had better game play despite minimal rpg elements (which is honestly, the only thing worthwhile in this game)... If they could have taken similar controls and gameplay to ground control, they would have been golden.    … Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
40
#40 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

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