UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (11/11/01)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

GAME REVIEW: "Cossacks" takes RTS games to a new level

by Ruslan Tracz

Your hetman stands alone a top the hill overlooking the battlefield where your Kozaky just valiantly fought the neighboring state for supremacy over the land. You take control of the reserves in your army and send them marching towards the enemy city to rid them of this world. As your troops continue to march further into enemy territory, you see that an even greater challenge appears: hundreds of musketeers, cavalry, archers, artillery await your approach on the steppes and will stop at nothing to make sure you don't get by.

Sounds epic, doesn't it? For those who have played real-time strategy (RTS) games before it probably looks and sounds familiar, though never on such a grand scale. "Cossacks - European Wars" is the new RTS from GCS Game World, in which the player can choose from one of 16 nations with which to take over the world. It was designed and developed in Ukraine.

"Cossacks" follows events that took place from the 16th to the 18th centuries, allowing you to play such scenarios as the Seven Years War and the Ukrainian War of Independence. These campaigns are extremely difficult, and I suggest that beginner players first try the single missions or random maps. The one downside in the random map mode is that the AI (artificial intelligence) isn't that intelligent. If you want a challenge, though, play the campaigns.

Having played many RTS before, I found that "Cossacks" takes the whole genre to a new level. While still having the same premise as most games - build city, extract resources, build up army, kill other army - the attention to detail is what makes this game so enjoyable. Each of the 16 nations you choose from has its own special units, buildings and strategy. The landscapes are beautifully designed and should be used to your strategic advantage - for example, placing musketeers and artillery units on top of hills, you can fire down at oncoming armies. Adding to the game is the amazing soundtrack, which is just another element that makes this game so enjoyable. Elements of Ukrainian sacred and folk music (especially Hutsul) are used in the composed soundtrack.

The actual gameplay of "Cossacks" is very smooth, even with battles of hundreds of units. "Cossacks" mixes in elements from "Warcraft 2," "Age of Empires 2" and "Civilization 2" into one. However, unlike "Warcraft," "A of E," and other RTS that are resource-based, "Cossacks" makes sure you keep an eye on your own resources. This is because all units created need to be sustained by your current resources.

If you don't watch your food supply, your army will start dying; and if you don't keep an eye on your money, your mercenaries will turn against you. This, of course, always happens when you are moments away from victory. (Don't I sound bitter? Well, let's just say that you get so involved in battles that you forget about sustaining your nation every now and then.)

One addition that is enjoyable is the capture of other nations' peasants and buildings. This ability to capture is especially entertaining in multi-player mode; when your opponent leaves his peasants or buildings unguarded, all you have to do is send in a lone unit. Watch out though, because if there are military units near the peasants, they will fight back - and they do quite a bit of damage in numbers. However, if your capture is successful, you can now build the enemy's buildings and units.

Two things about "Cossacks" bothered me, the first being the lack of a diplomacy option with other nations. Ever since I played the original "Civilization," I see that diplomacy sometimes becomes more fun than battle. This also makes playing maps with more than two other nations very difficult since they are all hell bent on destroying you.

The second bothersome feature, though this isn't that big a deal and some player may actually enjoy this, is the fact that resources on the map do not run out. Sure trees and new crops could be planted, but gold and coal couldn't. I just think this hinders the realism the game is trying to portray. Plus, it's more challenging when you have to fight for resources.

For those interested in the historical aspect of the battles you fight, there is a little encyclopedia included in the game. It doesn't go into much depth, but it gives you general histories and details of nations, units, buildings and battles.

"Cossacks - European Wars" is another one of those games that will leave you playing way into the early hours of the morning.

* * *

The producer of the game is Sergiy Grygorovych, chief programmer - Andrew Shpagin; chief artist - Dmitry Zenin; sound engineer/composer - Andrew Prishchenko. The game's webpage is located at www.cossacks.de.

Ruslan Tracz, 18, lives in Winnipeg.

Letters from Cherkasy

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, a group of high school students in Cherkasy, Ukraine, who are studying the English-language wrote letters expressing their concern to their "dear American friends." The letters were sent to the Educational Council at the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and were forwarded to The Ukrainian Weekly by Educational Council President Eugene Fedorenko, who has been working with the school, known as the First City Gymnasium. Below is a sampling of the letters.

I want to express my condolences to you on the tragedy you had. I was not the only one to be shocked at the breaking news. The first thing I heard was about the innocent victims buried under the debris of the famous World Trade Center. It's beyond my comprehension: whose sick imagination could plot something of this kind? Human life is very fragile. ... I can't stop thinking of those who lost their relatives, children and friends. No one ever could compensate their losses. Terrorism is the worst thing ... we must say "No to terrorism."

- Natasha Savelyeva

I'm writing this letter to support you all in this difficult time. When I saw the news on the 11th of September, I was really shocked and couldn't believe my eyes... I wish it were a horror dream...

I know it was very hard to realize that more than 5, 000 of your compatriots, relatives and close friends died. I really sympathize with you. If I only could help! We should struggle against international terrorism. But before taking radical actions it's necessary to weigh all pros and cons, and look at this problem from every conceivable angle, not to make an irremediable mistake. I know that the USA is a powerful and wise country, and I'm sure that your country will find a way out, avoiding innocent victims.

- Lena Rudyka

I'm so sorry that such a terrible thing happened to your country. Your feelings are close to ours, because we had almost the same situation during World War II. We had serious losses of our people. Still, the most terrible word for our parents and grandparents is the word "war." We wish you had no opportunity to come to know the meaning of this terrible word, though you went through a horrible test, when your people were at the edge of the abyss. ...

- Anastasiya Nosareva

I want to express my deep condolences and I would like to say that the heart of the whole Ukrainian nation bleeds for the innocent people who suffered in the tragedy.

I also want to add that, no matter what happens in this world, we should always remember that human life is the most precious and valuable thing in the world. ...we are praying for your nation and we hope that the Lord will always stay with your people.

- Lilya Kotsa

SUM youths begin new year of activity

HILLSIDE, N.J. - Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Parish of Hillside, N.J., warmly welcomed Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) members who participated in the divine liturgy and the parish picnic on Sunday, September 9.

During the liturgy, children of the Irvington, N.J., branch of SUM served as ushers, sang with the choir, and read the epistle in Ukrainian and English. Several children also stood at attention with the SUM flag, which is inscribed with the group's motto "God and Ukraine."

Under the leadership of head counselor Irene Laschuk, a ceremonial meeting was held on the church grounds following the liturgy. Thus, the 2001-2002 season was officially launched.

At the picnic, parishioners and SUM members joined together in great camaraderie. Individuals joined in numerous activities including: volleyball, bocce, basketball, hiking, soccer, horseshoes, flying kites and playing on swings. Others preferred to relax under the shade of majestic trees.

The Rev. Leonid Malkov CSsR and the Rev. Andriy Manko CSsR were able to join the picnic festivities. The Rev. Bohdan Lukie CSsR celebrated the liturgy and observed the ceremonial meeting.

Having met many new friends, everyone left the picnic in an upbeat spirit.

Myshka wishes all a happy Thanksgiving

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna, search for the words capitalized in the text in the Mishanyna grid.

NOVEMBER is a month that is full of HISTORY. In 1918, western Ukrainian lands proclaimed themselves independent of RULE by Austria-Hungary. A blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag was raised atop CITY HALL in LVIV on November 1. Many areas throughout HALYCHYNA came under independent Ukrainian rule at that time. Today, many SCHOOLS, as well as the youth organizations SUM and PLAST, still remember this historic day with special ceremonies.

November 1, 1944, is the date that Metropolitan Andrey SHEPTYTSKY, leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, died. He worked very hard for the Ukrainian people by promoting education and the arts. At present the Catholic Church is in the process of recognizing him as a SAINT.

Here in America each of us celebrates THANKSGIVING with our FAMILY. We recall those VOYAGERS who came to this country on the MAYFLOWER, and we give thanks for all that God has given us. Traditionally people enjoy TURKEY with all the TRIMMINGS.

LEST WE FORGET, November is also the month during which the United States and Canada REMEMBER their brave SOLDIERS - HEROES who fought for freedom. In the U.S. we observe VETERANS DAY, while in Canada they mark Remembrance Day.

This year we can also think about the BRAVE people now overseas fighting against terrorism. When we offer our prayers on Thanksgiving Day, we can also give THANKS for their bravery and pray that our troops come HOME SAFELY.

CHECK IT OUT: For an adult perspective on "Cossacks - European Wars," see the review published on page 6 of this issue.

OUR NEXT ISSUE:

UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated December 9, please send in your materials by December 2. (Please include a daytime phone number.)

Send in your articles, letters, photos, etc. to: The Ukrainian Weekly, UKELODEON, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; telephone, (973) 292-9800; fax, (973) 644-9510; e-mail, [email protected].

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