Original War

***Original War*** is a real-time strategy video game developed by Czech company Altar Interactive and released by Virgin Interactive on June 15, 2001.

## Gameplay

It is an RTS resembling Red Alert 2 on the first sight. Player builds a base, finds resources, builds vehicles, and destroys the enemy. There are 2 campaings - American and Russian.

On the other hand there are many features that distinct the game from Red Alert 2. It is not possible to train new men. Moreover, the same units who fight are needed for resource gathering and the bases' functions. Production facilities, research labs, vehicles and base defenses are all useless unmanned. The local apemen can be trained to do simple tasks, and with the right research it is possible to use remote control and AIs, but all are generally worse in combat than humans. Losses in personnel are otherwise irreplaceable.

The game features RPG elements a each human or apeman unit has its own name and portrait, speed, firepower and defense scores, and experience levels in each of the game's four classes. Humans can change Profession using appropriate building.

## Story

### American Campaign

American expedition to Russia during World War I discovers strange mineral called Siberite and artifact – named EON. EON is revealed to be a time machine capable of sending objects into the past, but by the time of the discovery, Siberite stocks are exhausted and research stops. Then in the new millennium vast deposits of the mineral are found in Siberia, and Americans are able to extract enough of it for small-scale time-travel.

The U.S. comes up with a plan to send a small force two million years back in time. There it will mine the Siberite and transport it over the Bering Land Bridge to Alaska, into what will one day be in American hands. The best troops are selected, briefed, and told that it is a one-way trip back through time.

American campaign follows American soldier John Macmillan who is chosen to become part of Mission Globemine. He was chosen to become part of the mission as he doesn't have any relatives but during preparation for the mission he meet Joan Fergusson which makes his departure hard. He still goes through EOn but after his arrival he is attacked by unnown soldiers who are revealed to be Russians.Macmillan quickly starts to be promoted to higher ranks becoming one of most feared American commanders.

### Russian Campaign

American plan results in a new timeline with the Siberite (now called Alaskite) located in Alaska and the USA being the only undisputed superpower thanks to the inexhaustible source of energy. The time machine called TAWAR was found by Russians. The Soviet Union fumes under American supremacy. Frustration turns to outrage when Soviet scientists find traces of American settlement and Alaskite, the source of US power, in remote Siberia. A Soviet expedition is sent through the TAWAR, to repel the American thieves and preserve what is rightfully theirs.

Russian campaign follows Russian mechanic Yuri Ivanovich Gorky who becomes part of Red Army Pliocene Group and is sent through TAWAR to the past. He becomes feared Russian commander who must face not only American enemies but also Arabs and his incompetent superiors.

## Links

* Official website
* Original War on Bohemia Interactive website
* Steam