Hey blenderjunkie,
I could definitely do with some advice on how to structure the logic/programming of the game. I might have to do some kind of logic plan and try and do as much pseudo code before I actually try and start getting deep in to it.
As mentioned above, despite how old the original game is, its actually pretty complex. As a rough idea, I’ll try and give an idea of the structure of the original.
So the game is split in to multiple campaigns that can be part of a larger story. In each campaign, there are different levels that are a part of that one long mission. Before you start a new campaign you can choose which soldiers and weapons to take with you. This all has to last you the whole campaign so you must pick wisely. Bearing in mind to think about saving the best soldiers to the end of the end of the game.
When you start a new level, you get to choose from your previous selection of soldiers and weapons to take with you. Only what you have remaining though! So as you play through each level in the campaign, you need to conserve your ammo and steal enemy weapons and items. You take 4 soldiers with you on each level.
At the start of each level, you have a kind of intelligence briefing. You’re shown a rough model of the map, told about suggested tactics and weapons to take, objectives etc.
In-game
So in the game, you have your normal live gameplay, but you can pause and go to a tactical map. In the tactical map, you can plot complex routes for your soldiers with way-points. You can tell them when to lie down/stand/crouch, fire at will, defensive etc etc.
You can then switch back to the live game and they will follow out your orders. The soldier you are currently in control of (You can switch in-between) will also follow its orders unless you start to move him instead.
You must use tactical manoeuvres. Your players die just as easily as the enemy AI. If you let them die, that’s it, you’ve lost them for the rest of the game. This is why the tactical map and planning is so important.
You can switch between them and go through and select their own individual items.
You can switch between 3rd and 1st person.
Of course, the soldiers have stats. Some are good sharp shooters, some are strong and can take more items etc etc. I think in the first game, the player stats didn’t change. Whereas I think in the 2nd game, you could improve your soldiers with more experience.