Finally a great strategy game for xbox!
The Story is of the United States some number of years in the future, America somehow elects the most unpopular president in history, his election causes terror attacks so he activates the “homeland security act” to use his power to start martial law where needed. As his term is approaching its end he uses his hand picked Supreme Court to disqualify the other frontrunners of the election thus getting him a second term, no more then a day later a high yield nuke hits the White House killing him, his vice, the parliament and the supreme court also wiped out most of DC. Without leadership, states start seceding from the US and the UK task force arrives to try to keep peace but instead forms it’s own union. The adventure starts here.
Campaign mode is where the story continues, you pick which faction you wish to use and start buying units and expanding territory. The strategy in this game is actually done in two ways. The first being pick where to attack or if to defend, while keeping you intentions good or evil as well as keeping your units well balanced and repaired. The other is in the battlefield where you lead your units to victory or defeat.
The Gameplay works with “hexes” hexagon shaped plots in witch to move, you can only move each unit a designated amount which varies per vehicle or unit as well as one attack per round which also has stats that vary per unit. But it isn’t just a free for all, kill or be killed battle. You can also win by ceasing control of enemy cities and reaching a pre assigned number of points. As you progress you either get an evil or good reputation, each direction has different special powers to use that may increase your chances such as the good power of persuading an enemy unit to join your cause or the evil toxic radiation attacks. Either way victory is key to your goals. Once your faction gains control of the continent you find out who the real masterminds behind the US break up. You must then defeat them. That’s not an easy task.
After a short cut scene it gives you all the scores and it’s over.
There are not many options, and none are crucial so I’m not going to cover them.
The system link lets you create your own match for competing against a friend. You set the amount of money, who is attacking and defending, what faction, what political level (good or evil) and map as well as what direction the attackers come from.
The XBOX live matches are tough to find but work the same as system link, if you are patient you’ll get one, I tried two days in a row, first day it took 2 hours, the second it took 7 min. the real issue here is patience. You really need it to wait for your enemy to finish their turn. Unfortunately, I was winning both matches and both opponents signed out instead of taking their licks. So I’m not sure what the winning screen or losing screen looks like….
There is also a cheat menu but since I didn’t use it I don’t know exactly what it does, sorry cheaters…..
The graphics are ok, a few slow downs though. The controls are good but maybe a little iffy to get used to. The Gameplay itself is very good with moderate replay value.
Bottom line is, this is a game for strategy fans and maybe war obsessed individuals.