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{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
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|caption = European cover art
|caption = European cover art
|developer = [[Nival Interactive]]
|developer = [[Nival Interactive]]
|publisher = {{vgrelease|[[Russia|RU]]|[[1C Company]]|EU|[[JoWooD Productions]]|NA|[[Encore Software]]}}
|designer = Dmitry "Zak" Zakharov<ref>[http://www.gamershell.com/articles/688.html Interview at GamersHell]</ref>
|designer = Dmitry "Zak" Zakharov<ref>[http://www.gamershell.com/articles/688.html Interview at GamersHell]</ref>
|publisher = [[1C Company]]<br>[[JoWooD Productions]]<br>[[Encore Software]]
|engine = [[Silent Storm engine]]
|engine = [[Silent Storm engine]]
|released = {{vgrelease|EU|November 7, 2003|NA|January 20, 2004}}
|released = {{vgrelease|RU|August 22, 2003<ref name="absolute"/>|EU|November 7, 2003|NA|January 20, 2004}}
|genre = [[Turn-based tactics]], [[tactical role-playing game|tactical RPG]]
|genre = [[Turn-based tactics]], [[tactical role-playing game|tactical RPG]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|modes = [[Single-player]]
|platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
|platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
}}
}}


'''''Silent Storm'''''{{efn|{{Langx|ru|Операция Silent Storm<ref name="absolute"/>}}}} is a 2003 [[turn-based tactics]] video game developed by [[Nival Interactive]] and published by [[JoWooD]]. The game is set in a fictionalized [[World War II]] [[Europe]] with [[science fiction]] elements.
'''''Silent Storm''''' (Russian: Операция Silent Storm) is a [[tactical role-playing game]]<ref name=trpg>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamehelper.com/magazine/previews/night-watch|last=Thompson|first=Mike|title=Night Watch|publisher=Game Helper Magazine|date=June 22, 2006|accessdate=26 November 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228055845/http://www.gamehelper.com/magazine/previews/night-watch|archivedate=December 28, 2007}}<br>{{cite web|author=Jonric|title=Silent Storm Interview|publisher=[[RPGVault]]|url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/367/367949p1.html|accessdate=26 November 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206145636/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/367/367949p1.html|archivedate=6 February 2007|url-status=dead}}<br>{{cite news|last=Calvert|first=Justin|title=New Silent Storm details emerge|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=June 3, 2003|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/silentstorm/news.html?sid=6029398|accessdate=26 November 2007}}<br>{{cite news|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|title=Silent Storm makes golden sound|publisher=GameSpot|date=January 15, 2004|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/silentstorm/news.html?sid=6086587|accessdate=26 November 2007}}<br>{{cite web|last=Stock|first=Robert|title=Silent Storm|publisher=Just RPG|date=January 20, 2004|url=http://www.just-rpg.com/default.asp?pid=931|accessdate=26 November 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215040750/http://www.just-rpg.com/default.asp?pid=931|archivedate=15 December 2007}}</ref> for [[Microsoft Windows]], developed by Russian developer [[Nival Interactive]] and published by [[JoWood]] in 2003 and Encore Software in 2004. The game is set in a fictionalized [[World War II]] [[Europe]] with [[science fiction]] elements.


An advanced [[game engine]], the [[Silent Storm engine]], was developed for the game and reused in several later titles. ''Silent Storm'' was followed by the expansion ''Silent Storm: Sentinels'' in 2004. A third game taking place in the same setting, ''[[Hammer & Sickle]]'', was co-developed by Novik&Co and released in 2005. A ''Gold'' edition containing both the original game and the expansion was released in Europe later that same year.
An advanced [[game engine]], the [[Silent Storm engine]], was developed for the game and reused in several later titles. ''Silent Storm'' was followed by the expansion ''Silent Storm: Sentinels'' in 2004. A third game taking place in the same setting, ''[[Hammer & Sickle]]'', was co-developed by Novik&Co and released in 2005. A ''Gold'' edition containing both the original game and the expansion was released in Europe later that same year.
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==Plot==
==Plot==
The game's story takes place during World War II in an alternate history. Thor's Hammer Organization (THO), is a shadowy organization with connections all over [[Europe]] and the goal of world domination. THO knows that this goal cannot be attained while there are powers capable of challenging them, and aims to use its connections and advanced technology to make sure the two sides of World War II devastate each other, while THO makes a grab for power when both are exhausted. The obvious influence of [[Norse mythology]] on the organization's name is further shown by the fact that all THO members use a mythological name as their call sign.
The game's story takes place during World War II in an [[alternate history]]. Thor's Hammer Organization (THO) is a shadowy organization with connections all over [[Europe]] and the goal of world domination. THO knows that this goal cannot be attained while there are powers capable of challenging them, and aims to use its connections and advanced technology to make sure the two sides of World War II devastate each other, while THO makes a grab for power when both are exhausted. The obvious influence of [[Norse mythology]] on the organization's name is further shown by the fact that all THO members use a mythological name as their call sign.


In exchange for the services of both Allied and Axis higher-ups, Thor's Hammer provides them with some of their inventions, including Panzerkleins. Panzerkleins are very difficult to destroy, as they are essentially immune to small arms fire.
In exchange for the services of both Allied and Axis higher-ups, Thor's Hammer provides them with some of their inventions, including Panzerkleins. Panzerkleins are difficult to destroy, as they are essentially immune to small arms fire.

==Development==
{{expand section|date=December 2020}}
''Silent Storm'' was developed by [[Nival Interactive]], a [[Moscow]]-based studio previously responsible for the ''Allods'' (''[[Rage of Mages]]'') series.<ref name=rpgvaultint>{{cite web |author=Jonric |title=Silent Storm Interview |publisher=[[RPGVault]] |url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/367/367949p1.html |access-date=26 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206145636/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/367/367949p1.html |archive-date=6 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The game's showing at [[E3 2003]] won it the "E3 2003 Best of Show" award in the tactical genre from ''[[Wargamer (website)|Wargamer]]''.<ref name=e3wg>{{cite web |title=Press |url=http://www.silentstorm-online.de/content.php?lang=en&rid=601 |publisher=JoWood Productions |access-date=29 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719083333/http://www.silentstorm-online.de/content.php?lang=en&rid=601 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Its English version [[went gold]] in January 2004.<ref name=gold>{{cite news |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |title=Silent Storm makes golden sound |publisher=GameSpot |date=January 15, 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/silentstorm/news.html?sid=6086587 |access-date=26 November 2007}}</ref> <!--{{cite news |last=Calvert |first=Justin |title=New Silent Storm details emerge |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=June 3, 2003 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/silentstorm/news.html?sid=6029398 |accessdate=26 November 2007}}-->


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 82%<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |title=Silent Storm Reviews |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/557924.asp |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521231105/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/557924.asp |archive-date=21 May 2006}}</ref><br>81% (''Sentinels'')<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |title=Silent Storm: Sentinels Reviews |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/919255.asp |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016055858/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/919255.asp |archive-date=16 October 2007}}</ref>
| XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=techtv>{{cite web | author=Keil, Matt | work=[[X-Play]] | url=http://www.g4tv.com:80/xplay/features/794/Silent_Storm_PC_Review.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051206175449/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/794/Silent_Storm_PC_Review.html | date=June 4, 2004 | archivedate=December 6, 2005 | title=''Silent Storm'' (PC) Review | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| MC = 83/100<ref name=mcritic>{{cite web |title=Silent Storm (pc: 2004): Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/silentstorm?q=silent |access-date=29 December 2008}}</ref>
| XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=techtv>{{cite web |author=Keil, Matt |work=[[X-Play]] |url=http://www.g4tv.com:80/xplay/features/794/Silent_Storm_PC_Review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051206175449/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/794/Silent_Storm_PC_Review.html |date=June 4, 2004 |archive-date=December 6, 2005 |title=''Silent Storm'' (PC) Review |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''Absolute Games''
| rev1Score = 75%<ref name="absolute">{{cite web |last1=Горячев |first1=Владимир |title=Рецензия на Silent Storm |url=http://www.ag.ru/reviews/silent_storm |website=Absolute Games |access-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213125127/http://www.ag.ru/reviews/silent_storm |archive-date=13 December 2007 |language=Russian |date=29 August 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
}}
According to [[Metacritic]], ''Silent Storm'' received "generally positive reviews" from critics.<ref name=mcritic/> The game experienced poor sales in the United States; ''[[GameSpot]]'' reported that "fewer than 20,000 copies" of the game sold during 2004.<ref name=bestworst2004 />
''Silent Storm'' was awarded "E3 2003 Best of Show" in the tactical genre by Wargamer.com.<ref name=e3wg>{{cite web|title=Press|url=http://www.silentstorm-online.de/content.php?lang=en&rid=601|publisher=JoWood Productions|accessdate=29 December 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719083333/http://www.silentstorm-online.de/content.php?lang=en&rid=601|archivedate=19 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game's Metacritic score, GameTab score and MobyRank are 83, 82.93% and 84, respectively.<ref name=mcritic>{{cite web|title=Silent Storm (pc: 2004): Reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/silentstorm?q=silent|accessdate=29 December 2008}}</ref><ref name=gtab>{{cite web|title=Silent Storm Reviews for the PC (GameTab)|publisher=GameTab|url= http://www.gametab.com/pc/silent.storm/1860/|accessdate=29 December 2008}}</ref><ref name=mbrank>{{cite web|title=The Press Says|website=[[MobyGames]]|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/s2-silent-storm/mobyrank|accessdate=30 December 2008}}</ref> The game however suffered from a lack of sales in the [[United States]], partially due to lack of marketing.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}} While praised for its tactical depth, aesthetics and the quality of its game engine,<ref name="gspy_ss"/><ref name=ign_ss/><ref name="gspot_ss"/> the game has been criticized for its "silly", "over-the-top" story and voice acting,<ref name="gspy_ss">{{cite web|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-storm/494779p1.html|title=S2 - Silent Storm|last1=Rausch|first1=Allen|date=February 25, 2004|website=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.|accessdate=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=ign_ss/> and for its inclusion of [[science fiction]] elements&mdash;specifically the Panzerkleins&mdash;and their effect upon [[game balance]] in the latter stages of the game.<ref name=ign_ss>{{cite web|last=Butts|first=Steve|title=Silent Storm Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=January 27, 2004|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/475/475977p1.html|accessdate=11 December 2007|quote=There is one aspect of the game that really stood out as ridiculous to me. Since it's kind of integral to the plot, I don't want to spoil it. Just watch out for the suits. }}</ref><ref name="gspot_ss">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/silent-storm-review/1900-6087043/|title=Silent Storm Review |last1=Kasavin |first1=Greg|date=January 26, 2004|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.|accessdate=5 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="1up_ss">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/silent-storm|title=Silent Storm Review|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=January 1, 2000|website=[[1up.com]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment Games|accessdate=5 December 2015|quote=But worse, late in the game Silent Storm falls victim to the nerd imperative of sci-fi elements that, though some gamers may enjoy, I found totally unnecessary and detrimental. After fighting so many tough, gritty urban battles, the introduction of Panzerkleins (powered li'l mech-like weaponized body armor) and ray guns struck a really sour note and seriously undermined the great WWII feeling the game had created up to that point.|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208052049/http://www.1up.com/reviews/silent-storm|archivedate=8 December 2015}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Fans critical of the mobile suits' power have created a mod that removes the suits entirely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.strategycore.co.uk/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=4903&view=findpost&p=61034 |title=Cookie's No-PK Mod - StrategyCore Forums|date=January 26, 2006<!--, 8:52pm -->|accessdate=19 October 2007}}</ref>|group="Note"}} The game's "tired", "played-out" World War II setting,<ref name=ign_ss/><ref name="gspot_ss"/> poor performance on contemporary hardware,<ref name=ign_ss/><ref name="1up_ss"/> lack of meaningful managerial features,<ref name="gspy_ss"/> and lack of multiplayer,<ref name="gspy_ss"/><ref name="gspot_ss"/> were also noted.


While praised for its tactical depth, aesthetics and the quality of its game engine,<ref name="gspy_ss"/><ref name=ign_ss/><ref name="gspot_ss"/> the game has been criticized for its "silly", "over-the-top" story and voice acting,<ref name="gspy_ss">{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-storm/494779p1.html |title=S2 - Silent Storm |last1=Rausch |first1=Allen |date=February 25, 2004 |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=ign_ss/> and for its inclusion of [[science fiction]] elementsspecifically the Panzerkleinsand their effect upon [[game balance]] in the latter stages of the game.<ref name=ign_ss>{{cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |title=Silent Storm Review |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=January 27, 2004 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/475/475977p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040202085434/http://pc.ign.com/articles/475/475977p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2004 |access-date=11 December 2007 |quote=There is one aspect of the game that really stood out as ridiculous to me. Since it's kind of integral to the plot, I don't want to spoil it. Just watch out for the suits.}}</ref><ref name="gspot_ss">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/silent-storm-review/1900-6087043/ |title=Silent Storm Review |last1=Kasavin |first1=Greg |date=January 26, 2004 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |access-date=5 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="1up_ss">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/silent-storm |title=Silent Storm Review |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 1, 2000 |website=[[1up.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment Games |access-date=5 December 2015 |quote=But worse, late in the game ''Silent Storm'' falls victim to the nerd imperative of sci-fi elements that, though some gamers may enjoy, I found totally unnecessary and detrimental. After fighting so many tough, gritty urban battles, the introduction of Panzerkleins (powered li'l mech-like weaponized body armor) and ray guns struck a really sour note and seriously undermined the great WWII feeling the game had created up to that point. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208052049/http://www.1up.com/reviews/silent-storm |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> The game's "tired", "played-out" World War II setting,<ref name=ign_ss/><ref name="gspot_ss"/> poor performance on contemporary hardware,<ref name=ign_ss/><ref name="1up_ss"/> lack of meaningful managerial features,<ref name="gspy_ss"/> and lack of multiplayer,<ref name="gspy_ss"/><ref name="gspot_ss"/> were also noted.
''Silent Storm'' won ''[[PC Gamer US]]''{{'}}s "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game 2004" award. Mark H. Walker of the magazine praised its "sweaty-palm firefights, clever leveling system, and its use of its World War II setting".<ref name=pcgamerusawards2004>{{cite journal |date=March 2005 | title=The Eleventh Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=12 | number=3 | pages=33-36, 38, 40, 42, 44 | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | author=Walker, Mark H. }}</ref> The editors of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' nominated ''Silent Storm'' as their 2004 "Strategy Game of the Year (General)", although it lost to ''[[The Sims 2]]''. They wrote that it "almost walked away with the award because it exhibited an addictive combination of turn-based strategy and roleplaying that hasn't been so well executed since ''[[Jagged Alliance]]''."<ref name=cgwpremier2004>{{cite journal | author=Editors of ''CGW'' | journal=[[Computer Gaming World]] | title=2004 Games of the Year |date=March 2005 | issue=249 | pages=56-67 }}</ref> The staff of ''[[X-Play]]'' nominated ''Silent Storm'' for their 2004 "Best Original Game" award,<ref name=xplaybestof2004nominees>{{cite web | author=''X-Play'' Staff | work=[[X-Play]] | url=http://www.g4tv.com:80/xplay/features/50787/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Nominees.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051107164119/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/50787/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Nominees.html | date=January 18, 2005 | archivedate=November 7, 2005 | title=''X-Play''{{'}}s Best of 2004 Nominees | url-status=dead }}</ref> which ultimately went to ''[[Katamari Damacy]]''.<ref name=xplaybestof2004winners>{{cite web | author=''X-Play'' Staff | work=[[X-Play]] | url=http://www.g4tv.com:80/xplay/features/50882/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Winners_Announced.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050315015954/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/50882/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Winners_Announced.html | date=January 27, 2005 | archivedate=March 15, 2005 | title=''X-Play''{{'}}s Best of 2004 Winners Announced! | url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Footnotes==
===Awards===
''GameSpot'' named ''Silent Storm'' the best computer game of January 2004,<ref name=gotm>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040901070114/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6087195/index.html |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6087195/index.html |title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Month in Review for January 2004 |author=Staff |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=February 1, 2004 |archive-date=September 1, 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the "Best Game No One Played" of the year overall.<ref name=bestworst2004 /> It also won the annual "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game 2004" prize from ''[[PC Gamer US]]'', whose Mark H. Walker praised the game's "sweaty-palm firefights, clever leveling system, and its use of its World War II setting".<ref name=pcgamerusawards2004>{{cite journal |date=March 2005 |title=The Eleventh Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards |volume=12 |number=3 |pages=33–36, 38, 40, 42, 44 |journal=[[PC Gamer US]] |author=Walker, Mark H.}}</ref> ''Silent Storm'' received year-end award nominations for ''[[X-Play]]''{{'}}s "Best Original Game",<ref name=xplaybestof2004nominees>{{cite web |author=''X-Play'' Staff |work=[[X-Play]] |url=http://www.g4tv.com:80/xplay/features/50787/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Nominees.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051107164119/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/50787/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Nominees.html |date=January 18, 2005 |archive-date=November 7, 2005 |title=''X-Play''{{'}}s Best of 2004 Nominees |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=xplaybestof2004winners>{{cite web |author=''X-Play'' Staff |work=[[X-Play]] |url=http://www.g4tv.com:80/xplay/features/50882/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Winners_Announced.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050315015954/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/50882/XPlays_Best_of_2004_Winners_Announced.html |date=January 27, 2005 |archive-date=March 15, 2005 |title=''X-Play''{{'}}s Best of 2004 Winners Announced! |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s "Strategy Game of the Year (General)" and ''GameSpot''{{'}}s "Best Strategy Game".<ref name=cgwpremier2004>{{cite magazine |author=((Editors of ''CGW'')) |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |title=2004 Games of the Year |date=March 2005 |issue=249 |pages=56–67}}</ref><ref name=bestworst2004>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ |title=Best and Worst of 2004 |author=The ''GameSpot'' Editors |date=January 5, 2005 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=March 7, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Reflist|group="Note"}}

==Legacy==
''Silent Storm'' was followed by an [[expansion pack]] entitled ''Silent Storm: Sentinels''. The later ''[[Hammer & Sickle]]'' (2005) serves as a successor to the two games.

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 47: Line 62:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{official|https://web.archive.org/web/20060529202326/http://www.nival.ru/silentstorm/}} (archived)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071027031400/http://www.nival.ru/s3/ Official ''Silent Storm: Sentinels'' website] (archived)
* {{MobyGames|id=/s2-silent-storm}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/s2-silent-storm}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/s3-silent-storm-sentinels|name=''Silent Storm: Sentinels''}}


{{Nival}}
{{Silent Storm Engine}}
{{Silent Storm Engine}}


[[Category:Silent Storm engine games]]
[[Category:1C Company games]]
[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Lua-scripted video games]]
[[Category:Encore Software games]]
[[Category:JoWooD Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Lua (programming language)-scripted video games]]
[[Category:Nival games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Silent Storm engine games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Tactical role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Tactical role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Turn-based tactics video games]]
[[Category:Turn-based tactics video games]]
[[Category:Video games about World War II alternate histories]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Russia]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Russia]]
[[Category:World War II alternate histories]]
[[Category:World War II video games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]

Latest revision as of 08:12, 29 October 2024

Silent Storm
European cover art
Developer(s)Nival Interactive
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Dmitry "Zak" Zakharov[2]
EngineSilent Storm engine
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • RU: August 22, 2003[1]
  • EU: November 7, 2003
  • NA: January 20, 2004
Genre(s)Turn-based tactics, tactical RPG
Mode(s)Single-player

Silent Storm[a] is a 2003 turn-based tactics video game developed by Nival Interactive and published by JoWooD. The game is set in a fictionalized World War II Europe with science fiction elements.

An advanced game engine, the Silent Storm engine, was developed for the game and reused in several later titles. Silent Storm was followed by the expansion Silent Storm: Sentinels in 2004. A third game taking place in the same setting, Hammer & Sickle, was co-developed by Novik&Co and released in 2005. A Gold edition containing both the original game and the expansion was released in Europe later that same year.

Gameplay

[edit]
An in-game screenshot showing troops and Panzerkleins

The player commands a team of up to six elite soldiers on the Axis or Allied side, undertaking a variety of missions. Once the player begins a campaign, they may select a premade character or create their own to lead the team through the game. Once the introductory mission is complete, the player can access a base complete with a medical station, armoury, personnel, and a panzerklein hangar. From this point, the player may select a team of six characters from a pool of 20. Each character has a role such as medic, sniper, scout, grenadier, soldier or engineer. Each role has different advantages and liabilities in battle. As the player progresses through the game, the armoury will receive new weapons for the player to use, either stolen from enemies or contributed from their own forces.

Silent Storm depicts a wide variety of the authentic weaponry and equipment of circa 1943 with great detail. Mixed into otherwise realistic elements is a plot that features secret weapon projects reminiscent of spy-fi, including energy weapons. Most notable are the Panzerkleins (pseudo-German for "little tanks"), crude powered armour suits.

The game features a remarkably advanced physics model. Nearly all structures are completely destructible. This has many tactical effects in the combat. For instance, if a character hears an enemy moving in an adjacent room, they can simply fire through the wall to attack them. Silent Storm also employs ragdoll physics for bodies according to the precise velocity of an impact. Fully three-dimensional mapping allows for obstruction calculations and cover effects from all angles. Bullets ricochet and their stopping power depends on the weapon. The effects are exaggerated for a more cinematic experience (a hail of non-fatal bullets only make the target shake, but a single fatal bullet can send the target flying).

Plot

[edit]

The game's story takes place during World War II in an alternate history. Thor's Hammer Organization (THO) is a shadowy organization with connections all over Europe and the goal of world domination. THO knows that this goal cannot be attained while there are powers capable of challenging them, and aims to use its connections and advanced technology to make sure the two sides of World War II devastate each other, while THO makes a grab for power when both are exhausted. The obvious influence of Norse mythology on the organization's name is further shown by the fact that all THO members use a mythological name as their call sign.

In exchange for the services of both Allied and Axis higher-ups, Thor's Hammer provides them with some of their inventions, including Panzerkleins. Panzerkleins are difficult to destroy, as they are essentially immune to small arms fire.

Development

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Silent Storm was developed by Nival Interactive, a Moscow-based studio previously responsible for the Allods (Rage of Mages) series.[3] The game's showing at E3 2003 won it the "E3 2003 Best of Show" award in the tactical genre from Wargamer.[4] Its English version went gold in January 2004.[5]

Reception

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According to Metacritic, Silent Storm received "generally positive reviews" from critics.[8] The game experienced poor sales in the United States; GameSpot reported that "fewer than 20,000 copies" of the game sold during 2004.[10]

While praised for its tactical depth, aesthetics and the quality of its game engine,[11][12][13] the game has been criticized for its "silly", "over-the-top" story and voice acting,[11][12] and for its inclusion of science fiction elements – specifically the Panzerkleins – and their effect upon game balance in the latter stages of the game.[12][13][14] The game's "tired", "played-out" World War II setting,[12][13] poor performance on contemporary hardware,[12][14] lack of meaningful managerial features,[11] and lack of multiplayer,[11][13] were also noted.

Awards

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GameSpot named Silent Storm the best computer game of January 2004,[15] and the "Best Game No One Played" of the year overall.[10] It also won the annual "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game 2004" prize from PC Gamer US, whose Mark H. Walker praised the game's "sweaty-palm firefights, clever leveling system, and its use of its World War II setting".[16] Silent Storm received year-end award nominations for X-Play's "Best Original Game",[17][18] Computer Gaming World's "Strategy Game of the Year (General)" and GameSpot's "Best Strategy Game".[19][10]

Legacy

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Silent Storm was followed by an expansion pack entitled Silent Storm: Sentinels. The later Hammer & Sickle (2005) serves as a successor to the two games.

Notes

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  1. ^ Russian: Операция Silent Storm[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Горячев, Владимир (29 August 2003). "Рецензия на Silent Storm". Absolute Games (in Russian). Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  2. ^ Interview at GamersHell
  3. ^ Jonric. "Silent Storm Interview". RPGVault. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  4. ^ "Press". JoWood Productions. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  5. ^ Thorsen, Tor (January 15, 2004). "Silent Storm makes golden sound". GameSpot. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  6. ^ "Silent Storm Reviews". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 21 May 2006. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Silent Storm: Sentinels Reviews". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Silent Storm (pc: 2004): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  9. ^ Keil, Matt (June 4, 2004). "Silent Storm (PC) Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on December 6, 2005.
  10. ^ a b c The GameSpot Editors (January 5, 2005). "Best and Worst of 2004". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ a b c d Rausch, Allen (February 25, 2004). "S2 - Silent Storm". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d e Butts, Steve (January 27, 2004). "Silent Storm Review". IGN. Archived from the original on February 2, 2004. Retrieved 11 December 2007. There is one aspect of the game that really stood out as ridiculous to me. Since it's kind of integral to the plot, I don't want to spoil it. Just watch out for the suits.
  13. ^ a b c d Kasavin, Greg (January 26, 2004). "Silent Storm Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Silent Storm Review". 1up.com. IGN Entertainment Games. January 1, 2000. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015. But worse, late in the game Silent Storm falls victim to the nerd imperative of sci-fi elements that, though some gamers may enjoy, I found totally unnecessary and detrimental. After fighting so many tough, gritty urban battles, the introduction of Panzerkleins (powered li'l mech-like weaponized body armor) and ray guns struck a really sour note and seriously undermined the great WWII feeling the game had created up to that point.
  15. ^ Staff (February 1, 2004). "GameSpot's Month in Review for January 2004". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 1, 2004.
  16. ^ Walker, Mark H. (March 2005). "The Eleventh Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer US. 12 (3): 33–36, 38, 40, 42, 44.
  17. ^ X-Play Staff (January 18, 2005). "X-Play's Best of 2004 Nominees". X-Play. Archived from the original on November 7, 2005.
  18. ^ X-Play Staff (January 27, 2005). "X-Play's Best of 2004 Winners Announced!". X-Play. Archived from the original on March 15, 2005.
  19. ^ Editors of CGW (March 2005). "2004 Games of the Year". Computer Gaming World. No. 249. pp. 56–67.
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