Full Spectrum Warrior goes platinum

Squad-based strategy just got more affordable. THQ today announced that the Xbox version of Full Spectrum Warrior has achieved platinum status and will now retail for $19.99. The Platinum Hits program selects games that have enjoyed retail success and popularity among gamers. The game, which was released last June for the Xbox, was developed by Pandemic Studios, the team that worked on Star Wars: Battlefront and Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction.

THQ announced that the PlayStation 2 version of the game will also be sold for $19.99 "this spring" when it makes its debut on Sony's console. Full Spectrum Warrior is rated M for Mature and is now selling for $19.99 on the Xbox and PC.

Full Spectrum Warrior is a military-themed squad-based strategy game that takes place in the Middle East. The game's genre is difficult to pin down. It isn't quite a shooter--gamers never actually aim weapons, but rather order fire upon targets--and it isn't a full strategy game. Originally crafted as a training simulator for the US Army, the game focuses on basic military tactics and know-how rather than a quick and accurate trigger finger.

Much of the game involves suppressive fire-and-move tactics, a common military procedure, particularly in urban combat where cover is prevalent. Playing as an unnamed officer, gamers control an eight-man squad, guiding it through a variety of missions.

The Xbox version features cooperative play through the campaign over Xbox Live.

For more information on the game, read GameSpot's full debriefing.