Can Destruction Be Silent? Find Out in “Silent Heroes”

by Louis Bedigian

“The game has a realistic system of destruction.”

When it came time for a special operations unit to go into action, the world had two choices. The first was destructive, powerful and dangerous – only one problem: they were loud. Explosions aren’t meant to be quiet, but if you expect your team to make it out alive, they’d better be silent. Hence the need for Silent Heroes.

”Silent Heroes uses the same gameplay mechanics as Soldiers,” said Alexei Patsiorkovski, Manager of Games Development Department at 1C Company. “In the game, a player should complete the mission maps in conditions of total superiority of enemy forces. However, the game play in SH is more complicated than in Soldiers: Heroes of World War II.” 

Drenched in explosive moments, this intriguing real-time strategy game should be quite a challenge to newcomers, as well as fans of the original. We talked to Alexei to find out more. 

Does the Silent Heroes story pick up where the last game left off?

Alexei Patsiorkovski: No, it is a separate story about the war activities of a group of saboteurs.

Who is the special operations force you're taking control of?

AP: The SOF of the game is a squad of Red Army saboteurs acting in the enemy rear. 

Players will have access to various firearms, small arms, cold steel and more. Does this mean the game is going to strongly emphasize the combat between individual, unprotected soldiers? ("Unprotected" as opposed to "shielded by the vehicle they're driving.")

AP: No, it is not quite so, there is no such emphasis in the game. There will be an access to various firearms and cold steel in the game, the player will be able to use them against as you say unprotected enemy soldiers, however if players succeed in capturing heavy military vehicles, they can use them against any enemy – both protected and unprotected.

Let's talk about the shelter system. You can use any item or object on the map as shelter -- how does this work?

AP: The feature of the game is that the player's character can hide from enemies while standing (for example behind a tank), sitting and lying (for example behind a fence); besides, the character can look out of the shelter. The main condition is that the objects are of sufficient height. In addition, it is possible to run in and hide inside of structures, take cover in trenches etc., windows and embrasures can be used for defilade fire.  

Are there any limitations as to how much damage a particular object can take? I would imagine that taking cover behind a building wouldn’t save you from a tank assault...

AP: Houses, fences and many other objects can be fully destroyed and rather quickly. A pillbox would stay longer, how long – it depends on the power of an explosive.

On that note, I'd love to hear about the game's destructive environments. Can you present us with a scenario as to how much damage this entails?

AP: The game has a realistic system of destruction. In general, the elements of the destructive model and its physics in simple way can be described as follows: A precise shot from the appropriate distance with an armor-piercing shell would penetrate through the tank's armor; a HE shell would hardly be capable of that. On the contrary, HE shell can be effectively used against the enemy troops taking cover in a trench; the armor-piercing shell can inflict less damage. A bottle with Molotov cocktail can burn down a building, the armor piercing shell, etc. Each weapon has its impact.

Tell us about the different ally and enemy units. Ground? Aerial? Other?

AP: The game actions take place only on the ground; therefore, enemies are various German troops, mostly infantry. There are episodes when aircrafts are bombarding the enemy, but these are script scenes. Player always starts a mission alone or with a squad of saboteurs armed with light weapons. In process of mission completion, the player can capture and utilize enemy vehicles and weapons from faustpatrones and SMGs to AT guns and heavy tanks.  

How can you acquire an enemy's equipment? What is needed to repair it?

AP: The player can take firearms and cold steel from dead enemies or search for it at warehouses, in wooden boxes or truck bodies. The vehicles use fuel and can break down. If vehicles need fuel, it can be obtained from cisterns, tank trucks or from other vehicles. If a vehicle is out of order, but it can be repaired, player can do it with a repair kit (game item).

Just to clarify – you can repair any equipment in your possession, correct? Or is there a point at which some equipment can no longer be repaired?

AP: Vehicles can be completely damaged; in this case, no repair kit would help. For example if a tank explodes and its turret is thrown away, player can hardly repair it, therefore it is very important to carefully select the means and methods for capturing a vehicle, which you plan to use in the future, you must be able to repair it at the end.

What kind of cinemas and/or cinematic effects can we expect from the game?

AP: There is several-rendered high-quality movies integrated into the game between the missions. There are also some cut-scenes.

Players can download Silent Heroes from http://www.gamersgate.com. Some games are really on board with the idea of acquiring games online, but others still prefer to have a boxed copy. Do you think that will slowly change? Is the Internet the future of game purchases?

AP: In my opinion, the change to Internet sales goes with enough speed. Most likely, Internet sales of certain products would develop their enormous potential in the next 1-2 years. Online services for new consoles may encourage the development of online PC purchase.

Thank you for your time.