Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds (1998 video game)

Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game released in 1998, based on Jeff Wayne's musical adaptation of H.G. Wells's science fiction novel, The War of the Worlds. Developed by Rage Software and published by GT Interactive, the game allows players to control either the invading Martian forces or the human resistance in Victorian England.

The gameplay focuses on resource management, base building, and strategic combat. Players harvest resources to construct buildings and train units, then engage in battles across a map of England. Each side has unique units and technologies reflecting their respective strengths and weaknesses. The Martians utilize their iconic Tripods and Heat Rays, while the humans rely on conventional weaponry and developing technologies.

The game features a campaign mode that loosely follows the narrative of the novel, as well as skirmish modes for individual battles. It utilizes digitized audio from Jeff Wayne's musical version, including narration and musical cues, to enhance the atmosphere and immersion. The game received mixed reviews upon release, with critics praising its faithfulness to the source material and audio design, but criticizing its gameplay mechanics and technical issues. Despite its mixed reception, Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds remains a notable example of a video game adaptation of a classic science fiction work.