Tom Clancy’s End War is an interesting Real-Time-Strategy (RTS) game that can be controlled by voice, controller, or a mix of both. Voice command systems aren’t a new thing in video games (See SOCOM for the PS2), but End War makes voice commands seem the natural way to command your troops in battle. End War has two voice command systems, Standard and Lite. Standard fits most people, whereas Lite is meant for softer speaking people. I personally use Lite even though I’m a rather loud person for better voice recognition. Also, make sure you never pause after saying “WMD” like me. You’ll probably lose a base.

The voice command system works a lot like the voice command system for the SOCOM series. It works off a ‘Who, What, Where’ system that works very well in the middle of a fight, for example, if I needed all of my tanks to attack a certain hostile and then have my artillery cover their flank I could say “Calling all tanks attack hostile 3″ followed by “Calling all artillery attack target” with my reticule over my desired target in less than about six seconds. There are many more voice commands, but going through them all would make this review much longer than it needs to be.

The story of End War is all about how World War III starts and then the war itself. In 2016 the United States and the European Union co-engineer the Space-Land-Air-Missile-Shield or SLAMS to defend against nuclear missile attacks, after it proves in test attacks to be successful both sides declare the threat of nuclear war over. Russia, being the worlds number one supplier of Oil, has it’s economy skyrocket and begins modernizing its armies, creating its own missile defense system, and uses its new wealth to influence events that happen all over the world.

Graphics-wise, End War doesn’t disappoint as you are able to make out all but the tiniest detail on vehicles, helicopters, buildings, and infantry. The landscapes you fight on look great with my only real complaint being that the textures become slightly pixelated when you zoom too close. The user interface is simple and designed with voice commands in mind but works without them.

Sound design is done very well, no matter if it’s the sound of your tanks idling, your helicopters flying to battle, or your artillery destroying the very bacteria that lives in the soil, you won’t be disappointed. Your infantry will often talk amongst themselves and all of your troops might even voice their opinion on orders you give them. I’ve had Engineers yell at me for telling them to charge head first into a base without cover or support.

There are several game modes in End War, Skirmish, World War III, and Theater of War. Skirmish, being what it sounds like, a quick match between you and other players or bots. World War III is the solo campaign where you can fight as the JSF (USA), the European Union, or the SGB (Russia). Theater of War is probably the most intriguing part of End War, once again you can fight as the JSF, EU, or SGB, but you aren’t alone, you fight along side and against players on Xbox Live and every victory or defeat helps or hinders your faction in the war. Depending on what you choose to do in Theater of War you can help your faction gain new territories or even cut off enemy supply and reinforcements for a short time. When one faction loses their capital they become an insurgency inside the city until they win it back.

Overall End War is a great game that can be hard at times, it does good in most areas and lacks in others. If you are a fan of RTS games be sure to check it out.