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Developer: Beam Software
Publisher: Infogrames
Genre: Strategy
Region: PAL
Format:
Release Date: 24 Jul 08
User Rating
9.8 (6 votes)- Preview
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Overview
Following it's predecessor, the second installment to the KKND family lets us rejoin the bloodfest one hundred years after the first war. Both the original armies are featured and are joined this time a race of machines bent on world domination and the complete extermination of the human race. (All very Terminator 2, I know!). The lines are drawn for a battle of epic proportions!
Tried and tested, zero points for originality!
Gameplay
Obviously very similar in essence to that of the market leaders: C&C Red Alert fans might be a little perturbed by the lack of innovation. There does, however exist, several key differences.
The creators were more inclined to follow the background of a desperate fight for survival in a nightmare post-holocaust arena than to re-create the military precision which you might expect from Westwood Studios or Blizzard. The gameplay focuses on huge armies of men and machines thrown at each other with maniacal glee, foaming at the mouth after sixteen pints of meths. The Units are much quicker to make, command and kill, and the battles are therefore much more fierce and short-lived.
A unique control system means that Units must be grouped at all times, and with a ceiling of just eight groups at a time, this leaves players used to carefully placed defensive perimeters out on a limb. The way to beat the enemy is to Krush, Kill n' Destroy his men with your men - end of story.
Graphics
The graphics are very similar to those of the prequel, Units and buildings are adequate, if a little garish, moving like John Inmans trousers on a cold day.
The background is a different matter entirely. Battles are mainly fought across vast ruined cities wasted by holocaust, with cautious attention to detail. Aeroplane and car wrecks are a common sight, but are placed as not to restrict gameplay.
Fun Factor
The one-player game is limited and easily conquered in under a fortnight, the multiplayer mode could keep you indoors, glued to the television until World War Three does happen.
This game is the only strategy game I have encountered to date which offers a split screen two player skirmish alernative. This is competitive or cooperative and can also involve AI opponents at the same time!
Overall
Not the best strategy around, but it's different and should be on the 'to get' list for fans of the genre only.
- Gameplay
6.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
6.0 - Overall
6.0
