Computer Wargames
by Leslie King
Here we go with the current batch I've had a chance to play through - so
many games , not enough time........
Rising Sun
The latest offering from Talonsoft's Battleground series, again with a
World War two setting. Anybody familiar with the other games will be playing
this one straight away - the same interface, the same everything in fact.
It features battles in the Pacific - mostly the US vs. Japan, but some
scenarios feature the British too. There's also lots of invasion games
this time, with US forces with lots of off board artillery support trying
to eliminate Japanese forces - and eliminate them they will usually have
to do. I found the game reasonable, but many of the scenarios were very
similar - when you've invaded one atoll you've invaded them all. Your Landing
craft head in, some get sunk, you land your forces and crawl inland, eventually
break out of the beachhead..... etc etc. They are not easy to win,
as you might well eliminate all the forces on an island only to suffer
high casualties in doing so and so lose or draw the game. Quite a few of
the scenarios put you in charge of the Japanese forces too, which is quite
a different challenge as there's much less artillery support and no tanks
either ( at least in the scenarios I've played so far). One improvement
on some of the earlier games is that you can speed up the enemy’s turn
so you're not hanging around waiting like you used to with the first version
of "Eastern Front". Mind you, it does look pretty funny if you do set that
option to fast.
Overall it's not too bad, and if you like other Battleground games you
will probably like this one too. If you want it shop around, and expect
to pay no more than £20. Anyone who has the game might like to know
that some extra scenarios have been published, and can be found on the
disk with the October edition of PC Strategy Games.
Shogun : Total War
Not sure if I should be reviewing this one as it's not strictly speaking
a Wargame, but it's close enough. It's two games in one, a strategy game
and a tactical wargame too. For the strategy game, you play a warlord attempting
to become Shogun in 16th Century Japan by conquering all the map .Each
clan gets different starting units - this will affect how you are to play
the game. The game map looks like a board game, and you move your
pieces to adjacent provinces ( unless you have docks when you can move
them further) simply by clicking the unit and dragging it. As well as combat
units you can move ninja, to attempt to assassinate enemy Leaders or to
spy for you. You can also conduct negotiations and sign alliances, but
so far as I can see this has no bearing on gameplay at all. You also have
the typical "build units and improvements" options typical of games
of this genre, though as it's turn based it's not as frantic as other RTS
(real time strategy) games. When you invade (or are invaded by enemies),
you can chose to stand and fight or retreat. You also have the option to
let the computer work out the combat for you, or fight the battle yourself.
I would certainly recommend the latter, as it's more fun and gives you
a better chance of winning.
For the tactical game, you maneuver your units (head for the high ground!),
set your formations and get stuck in. Actually the game system is very
elegant - different types of units have different strengths and weaknesses
and to win you need to get the right balance. Musketeers are strong, but
can be cut down by Cavalry - they also suffer if it rains. The interface
for the tactical game is not too bad, but it does take some getting used
to and is not as instinctive as some games. The battles look beautiful
though.
Overall a solid game, if the era appeals to you then it's worth buying.
I have had a few crashes with the game, but if you save regularly it should
not be too much of a problem.
Other matters.
I would have reviewed "Hidden and Dangerous" if it wasn't so bugged
as to be virtually unplayable, even after loading lots of patches. It's
a real shame, as the bits I was able to play were superb and really
atmospheric. Next time up I will be looking at "12 o'clock high" from Talonsoft
- a game of the strategic bombing campaign against Germany - available
from HMV for only £6 recently. There is also a game called "Beyond
Overlord" from Big Time Software which looks well worth getting, though
it's only available through the company in America at the present. It look
really interesting. You plan the movement of your units - then the computer
plays out one minutes worth of what you've planned when it all falls apart
, the enemy don't do what you've expected.... and so on etc If I
do acquire a copy I'll do a review. I'm also trying to get a copy of Talonsoft's
"Western Front Elite Pack". This is the original game( with improvements)
with the add on disks included which extends coverage to Operation Sealion
among other campaigns. Looks well worth getting too , but publication
has been delayed.
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