Battalion Wars |
Gamecube |
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Review by Matt Paprocki |
Nintendo |
Action/Strategy |
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Graphics: 8 |
Sound: 8 |
Gameplay: 8 |
Overall: 8 |
![]() Controls are the obvious starting point. There's no option for the dual analog control usually reserved 3rd person shooter. The C-stick now is used to dish out commands. Various troops intelligently aid the player on their various quests once given the order, and doing so is painless. The default set-up is intuitive to issue enough orders outside of combat, but you'll need to be sure you're set before diving into a confrontation. Telling people what to do is the last thing you'll be thinking about when in heated situations. ![]() Missions are comprised of the basic variety, from rescues, to escorts, to "blow up everything they have." Don't expect anything original, but be ready to make some strategic calls. Like the handheld counterpart, knowing your troops is crucial. Training slowly brings you completely into the game so you'll be ready for some of the brutal later stages. If anything holds Battalion Wars back, it's the combat. Each type of trooper has a specific weapon and that's it. It feels limited, and defense is left to rolling around aimlessly. AI isn't perfect, and while they're smart enough to grab health packs when they need one, they'll also grab one you may have had your eye on. Controlling vehicles is also outdated, the single analog control set-up frustrating and a nasty throwback. Multi-player is also absent in any form, rather inexcusable for a game like this. ![]() |