Time of Defiance - PC

A downloadable game that's been causing quite a stir amongst the online community for some time now, Time of Defiance finally gets its full retail release in all its boxed, sitting-on-the-shelf glory. Essentially, the game is a space-based real-time strategy title, which is both massively multiplayer and online only. The concept of ToD will be familiar to RTS fans, being a combination of resource management and combat, with the ultimate goal being to expand your empire and conquer the opposition.

Set across 4,000 x 4,000 kilometres of space, the game is entirely populated by human players. Each battle is equally as big, supporting many hundreds of players and lasting anywhere between one and four weeks. Impressively, it can take several days in real time just to cross from one side of the play area to the other, although, thankfully, there are warp gates available for those that can afford them.

Outside the main game itself, an extensive and accessible community exists, helping players communicate with one another. As such, via what's known as the Eighth House, gamers can chat, brag, forge alliances, and buy or sell items. It's also possible to interact with the game via e-mail and SMS.

Obviously, the fact that Time of Defiance is a fully online title means that players can expect constant support and updates, which should see a wealth of new features implemented, as well as a general evolution of the game. This is most certainly a glimpse into the future for video gaming - whether you're an RTS fan or not, Time of Defiance is a novel experience and should definitely be given a look.
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