[GC] Battalion Wars

[Mr Ono]

Copied from my impression elsewhere

Well, I have played the first 2 missions - basically training and so far not-too-bad.

The comedic war theme from Advance Wars has been translated perfectly with cartoon like grunts and chunky vehicles of war.

For all those who are wondering what this actually is - I can best describe it as a 3rd person shooter. Your character also controls squads of other grunts to follow Pikmin stylee going around attacking various enemies/outposts you encounter along a pre-set route and missions. You have simple control of the squad in terms of fire, hold and guard. You can also pop into machine gun emplacements and also drive vehicles you encounter.

Controls seem pretty intuitive (though I am still getting use to them) but I found the camera angle a bit cumbersome. You can get a different wider view via the d-pad but I haven't fully utilised this yet.

Graphics are simple and cartoon like. Sound is excellent with good voices. I've seen some of the later levels where the battles get far more intense with many many more troops and variety of air and ground vehicles.


Thing is, have I got the patience to play these games?

[dno]

Got the US version and I'm really pleasantly surprised. Playing in widescreen, I think there's prog scan too, I love the art style, it's very much a Euro version of Advance Wars, nice cut scenes, good controls, you can really throw the vehicles around. The first mission is a long training level showing off some nice looking environments, with some destructibe elements. I'd liken it more to Cannon Fodder in 3D (crossed with AW units) at this early stage. For once it's nice to go in with low expectations and be pleasantly surprised as opposed to the other way round!

[Mr Ono]

I'd liken it more to Cannon Fodder in 3D (crossed with AW units)

God yeah! Spot on.

[Ian(not Ian)]

I'd liken it more to Cannon Fodder in 3D (crossed with AW units)

Out comes the ol' credit card

[Ish]

Out comes the ol' credit card

I was just reaching for the very same after that Cannon Fodder comment!

[Dezm0nd]

This my next purchase when burnout revenge is done. thanks for the impressions

[Squirtle]

I'm about 7 missions in now and it's starting to really open up a bit. Had to take down gunships with my SAM guys whilst taking down heavy tanks on the floor and rifle men and bazooka blokes in one mission. All gets hectic but still manageable. Looks good too, with no slow down that I've seen no matter what's going on around you. It's quite open as well, with basically a mission briefing telling you what to do and then off you go and do it any way you want on a big open map. I'd say it's more like a 3D command and conquer without the harvesting and troop generation so far.

Yes, good stuff.

[dno]

I'm several missions in now and really getting into it, though it's getting much more challenging. It's starting to feel more like AW as you get more and varied units and have to plan who to attack with what. I've started using the far camera which for some reason makes me think of Blast Corps now when palying it, only with lots more going on. You can go on all out offensives with every unit where it turns into a mad shooter, go in one unit at a time or a mixture, the strategy element is definately there. Anyway, back to the front...

[Commander Marklar]

Utterly brilliant. That is all.

[stormbreak]

Why did the 360 have to come out this year :'( oh well time to spend more cash

[MikeRox]

bah, I was gonna leave this on the backburner for a bit :/ uni term starts next week and I'm meant to be cutting back on games ;p looks like it's turning into a must buy tho...

[fishbowlhead]

Got this last friday, played it most of saterday, and i have to say, after what seemed like 30 training missions, the game falls completely flat on its face and turns to complete ****e later on in the game. Im not sure if it was the last mission but,

->Open Spoiler<-

you end up fighting an anchiant army called the iorn legion controlled by the xlvanians and on the first mission you fight against them they have infinite regenerating battle copters that continuasly wear your force down as you progress through the level to destroy their shrine after which point they should die.
then when you do get to the shrine, a cut scene kicks in, and suprise suprise the game throws another army at you, by which point you have no units left (1 flame unit to fight against 10 heavy tanks, regenerating battle copters and many infantry units? piss off Kuju. The game simply isnt worth finishing.

i strongly recomend anybody considering a purchase to read the spoiler. For everybody who has bourght it allready and isnt up to that part, have fun.

[SharkAttack]

Little bit too tough for some eh?

[dno]

Just wanted to add that taking out enemy choppers, from the ground, with a barrage of surface to air homers is the best gaming fun I've had in ages!

[Mardigan8]

For someone who is addicted to the GBA and DS Advance Wars games is this worth getting?

Given I am accustomed to the more strategic style of AW battle I am not sure this will keep me happy??