Russian Video Games

[red^blade]

Are there any other good ones that people can recommend apart from All time classic 'Tetris'?

[Dabug]

I was just now searching for this game: Parkan: Iron Strategy.

What is `Parkan: Iron Strategy'? I'm glad you asked!

Parkan: Iron Strategy is an ambitious blend of first-person shooter, real-time strategy, and combat simulation from Nikita, a prolific Russian developer. Although it falls far short of the likes of Battlezone and Hostile Waters in many areas and is just not as much fun to play as those games, Parkan is still worth a look to all strategy fans for a plethora of new ideas.
...
Take strategic control from both the battlefield and inside the comfort of your HQ, designing, constructing, commanding, and even piloting your platoon of warbots. Explore new environments both on foot and by armed transport. Plentiful customization for your warbots abilities and large-scale battles come together in this combat command simulator.
...
While not for everyone, Parkan: Iron Strategy definitely brings a fresh exciting genre to the table for combat simulator and real time strategy gamers. First person shooter fans may enjoy it as well, but be prepared to take time learning the intricacies of the game first. Also be prepared for the flaws in the game; though they aren't always critical, and might not matter to some people, they DO exist. And be prepared for it to not last forever after you finish the campaign." It's not a revolutionary game by any means, but Parkan is definitely a fresh breeze in a crowded genre.

[Source: HOTU and Moby Games]

I haven't played the game (I was actually searching for the boxshot.), but it seems interesting. You can download the game from HOTU, free of charge. The download is 100MB, so be prepared.

[kyrie]

Thanks Dabug! I'll certainly check this one out!

mir,
k

[Fulbert]

I would recommend Space Rangers. It is a blend of RTS, arcade and economic simulation inspired by such games as Elite, Star Control and Homeworld.

The graphics in the game resembles that of Star Control 3. But the main feature of the SR is the vast script-free and live world. That is what the developers tell us about their product:

"Space Rangers" opens a new era in space adventure. Now you can forget about stages, missions, and passing the game on a piece of paper. Events in the game occur “for real” and are not just triggered by a date, or other event, following a fixed script.

We offer you a whole universe. It is a coherent and live world in which each character really exists. Even leaving players’ field of vision, other ships and planets continue their own adventures, living their own lives as long as the game lasts.

All captains of the ships are real, and have their own plans and purposes. Computer intelligence’s main goal is to survive at any cost. They will get money by trade, or possibly bribery and extortion; upgrade obsolete equipment and repair broken items; they will attempt to flee from the battlefield if they think the enemy is too strong. All this happens all the time. Pirates look for easy targets to milk for money or cargo, transports are obsessed with making profits, military fleet will protect its star system from enemies. The most intelligent and versatile characters are rangers, free pilots whose primary task is to help the military in stopping the invasion of new unknown enemies, Klissans. Any ranger you meet in the game could be a hero, or possibly a rascal who has become a ranger for easy money.

You have the chance become one of the adventuring Rangers, and it is possible that it is you who will, in the end, save the Galaxy. Every living thing in the world is in grave danger!

http://www.elementalgames.com/eng/r_all.php

The graphics is rather old-fashioned, but cute (2d tends not to age as quickly as 3d does), the picture resembles of Star Control 3. But the gameplay is something unmatched by any of the modern hi-end games. They managed to create a world without scripts, driven only by AI, which doesn't leave us feeling alone. It's like playing an MMORPG!
The game is a hit in Russia, but for some reason, it is practically unknown to the rest of the world. It is sold in the US as a value-product (I believe it still is), so I recommend you to look for it.

BTW, the "Space Rangers 2" have already been released, so I guess if you are interested, you'd better look for them.