U.S. Gold and Strategic Simulations Incorporated (the infamous SSI) have teamed up to create Conflict Middle East, a difficult strategy game from the early nineties. The user, uncharacteristically, takes the part of the Israeli Prime Minister in a simulation of the Yom Kippur War.
After the assassination of his predecessor, the Israeli Prime Minister must attempt to squash the governments of the Arab states that surround Israel and threaten her borders. The game comes to a close if the user manages to defeat all of the Arab states, or if one (or an allied group) of the Arab states manages to defeat Israel and overtake the nation.
Conflict Middle East is a turn-based strategy game. The game features military, diplomatic, and economic micromanagement qualities. On each turn, the user must define the specific stance Israel has chosen to take toward specific enemy governments. The user can choose to create temporary alliances with other factions in order to quell a problem state or defend the borders of the country. Obviously some will be larger threats than others at various stages of the game, and the user will have to keep tabs on each situation as it develops. It is possible to subvert enemy governments and turn them to the Israeli way of thinking, which can be a huge, nonviolent asset to the nation. Aside from diplomatic and intelligence decisions, the user will also have to budget
the nation’s arms supply, purchase more weaponry from various suppliers, deploy troops to areas where they are most needed, and possibly invade other states.
Conflict Middle East, while requiring great attention to detail and offering superior depth of play, is not a very long game. Since the game play is so detailed, it cannot be termed a true “beer and pretzels” military strategy, but it is fairly lightweight and harmless, as far as time is concerned. Fortunately, it offers great replayability, so the diminished length of each individual game is not an issue or a detractor.
Overall, Conflict Middle East offers a unique gaming experience, simply based on the protagonist of the tale. It has a smooth and clear user interface that will chauffer the user nicely through the short sequences of the game, and it offers massive depth and micromanagement qualities. It is highly recommended for download, and is definitely a solid, satisfying play.
