Men of War: Red Tide underscores the historical detail of the game by opening with period documentary film of the Soviet Black Coats and the battles that they fought in. Similar documentaries appear for each of the six battles that the campaign covers. Whilst not exactly original it is a pretty good way of setting the scene for what you are about to enjoy.
Like the original Men of War, Red Tide simply throws you a couple of units, sends you into the game and tells you to get on with it. You will have to figure out the main controls as enemy fire rains down on your units and learn more detailed controls on the hoof, so to speak.
You get to unleash absolute destruction over more than 20 missions as Red Tide pretty much picks off where Men of War left off.
The “Black Coats” who you get to command are the Soviet Marines, who got their natty nickname because they wore (you guessed it) Black Coats… along with the Black Coats you can directly control all manner of destructive stuff from tanks, self-propelled guns, armored trains, landing craft, artillery and captured enemy emplacements. Air support options include fighters, bombers and hydroplanes. Naval units come in the shape of cruisers, destroyers and gun boats which provide fire support - just in case you haven't managed to flatten the enemy or left a house standing.
Red Tide wraps up historical accuracy with a game that gives you so much fun it's easy to forget that war is meant to be hell. Best Way, the developer of the Men at War games are clearly are one of the best studios in this genre and if you have enjoyed Company of Heros - you are going to love this.