Posted April 21, 2009
I honestly haven't played this one much. I'm an RTS addict, but this one doesn't do much for me.
The campaign opens up very slowly with dull missions, and the technology restrictions are horrible. (I'm not a fan of tech. restrictions in RTS campaigns anyways, but this seems worse than most) So I left the campaign in favor of a skirmish.
On to the skirmish:
First of all, I LOVE the research system. The capability to manipulate your units and tweak them with various customizations.
I like the fact that you only have to worry about 1 resource (al-la Command and Conquer). And the ability to have no unit cap.
The limited number of buildings you need to worry about assembling is also nice. As is the capability to manipulate the terrain of the battle field.
And the advanced AI options for your units is nice, too. Other than a platoon AI of "all focus on one" would be nice.. though it might be there and I'm just not aware of it.
... Now for the faults:
First off, it's a semi-modern RTS, that does not use the standardized RTS controls. That doesn't sound that bad, until you actually try to play it (presuming you've been actively playing RTSs for the last 10 years). When you're not pressed, it's not an issue. But in the middle of heated combat, it's reflive to right-click to attack.
Even the skirmish was so insanely slow! Starting off with 200,000 credits, and it still started low. And dear god don't get me started on the duration of research. Ye gods, even the most basic ones take no less than 2 minutes, and the advanced one take 4+ minutes. Not bad until you consider the massive amount of research there is to do.
I tend to like RTSs where I can sit back and build a massive army and an indestructible base. But this one, fails to offer enough management on the build up of the base:
Queue up all the research you want to do, set up multiple gatherers, set up multiple weapons factories auto producing good units. Beyond that you can explore the map, or send small assaults in to your foe every now and then. Or walk away for an hour, come back and queue up more research.
Also the game wouldn't let me minimize it. I like to chat while I game. That pissed me off royally, but my rating isn't taking that in to account.
Over all, this game has the feel of a Command and Conquer clone. Sure it has some unique elements, but unfortunately the main unique thing about the game seems to hurt it as much as it helps (the research. Awesome idea, poor implementation.)
There are many better RTSs out there. But there are also a lot worse out there.
It is one I intend to play more, some time in the future. When I have much free time, and no other game I feel more like playing. I would say for the $6, this one is worth a shot, as long as you're not looking for a Starcraft clone.
(if you're looking for a faster paced RTS, go get Warlords Battlecry III, it's $10 here on GOG and worth every penny.)
The campaign opens up very slowly with dull missions, and the technology restrictions are horrible. (I'm not a fan of tech. restrictions in RTS campaigns anyways, but this seems worse than most) So I left the campaign in favor of a skirmish.
On to the skirmish:
First of all, I LOVE the research system. The capability to manipulate your units and tweak them with various customizations.
I like the fact that you only have to worry about 1 resource (al-la Command and Conquer). And the ability to have no unit cap.
The limited number of buildings you need to worry about assembling is also nice. As is the capability to manipulate the terrain of the battle field.
And the advanced AI options for your units is nice, too. Other than a platoon AI of "all focus on one" would be nice.. though it might be there and I'm just not aware of it.
... Now for the faults:
First off, it's a semi-modern RTS, that does not use the standardized RTS controls. That doesn't sound that bad, until you actually try to play it (presuming you've been actively playing RTSs for the last 10 years). When you're not pressed, it's not an issue. But in the middle of heated combat, it's reflive to right-click to attack.
Even the skirmish was so insanely slow! Starting off with 200,000 credits, and it still started low. And dear god don't get me started on the duration of research. Ye gods, even the most basic ones take no less than 2 minutes, and the advanced one take 4+ minutes. Not bad until you consider the massive amount of research there is to do.
I tend to like RTSs where I can sit back and build a massive army and an indestructible base. But this one, fails to offer enough management on the build up of the base:
Queue up all the research you want to do, set up multiple gatherers, set up multiple weapons factories auto producing good units. Beyond that you can explore the map, or send small assaults in to your foe every now and then. Or walk away for an hour, come back and queue up more research.
Also the game wouldn't let me minimize it. I like to chat while I game. That pissed me off royally, but my rating isn't taking that in to account.
Over all, this game has the feel of a Command and Conquer clone. Sure it has some unique elements, but unfortunately the main unique thing about the game seems to hurt it as much as it helps (the research. Awesome idea, poor implementation.)
There are many better RTSs out there. But there are also a lot worse out there.
It is one I intend to play more, some time in the future. When I have much free time, and no other game I feel more like playing. I would say for the $6, this one is worth a shot, as long as you're not looking for a Starcraft clone.
(if you're looking for a faster paced RTS, go get Warlords Battlecry III, it's $10 here on GOG and worth every penny.)