Strategic Assault, by Xen
Games (ported to Linux by Eon
Games)$5.99
Reviewed May 2002
If you have never played an RTS (Real Time
Strategy) game, Strategic Assault is a good one to try. If
you want to know more about RTS games, read our game FAQ here.
Developed by Xen Games, Strategic Assault resembles the RTS
masterpiece "Command and Conquer". There isn't
really a Tom Clancy type of story behind the game, but it
has all the ingredients of a fun RTS.
Character: You are in the Army starting
at very bottom as a Trainee. There are 15 levels (missions)
and each time you successfully complete a mission you go
up a rank.
Mission: Destroy enemy bases in each level.
Resources: In the beginning of a mission,
you are given a base, some artillery and some money. It will
be up to you to build an army and complete your mission.
The most important resource in this game is money, like in
the real war. You have a small amount of money to start.
Once you start, you must capture the Strategic Buildings
that will generate more money for you. There are different
numbers of Strategic Buildings in each level. The more you
capture the faster money generates. Also like in a real war,
either side can capture buildings. So you should have a strategy
to guard them after you capture the buildings.
Based on the terrain in the level, the
artillery varies. Tanks and jeeps are good for desert terrain
where Gunboats and Hovercraft are more suited for water,
and HoverTanks fit just about anywhere. There are different
types of factories that build different artillery. For example,
in a Light Factory you can build jeeps and light tanks; where
in a Heavy Factory you can build heavy tanks, rocket launchers
and helicopters. If you want to build naval artillery you
must build the Dock first.
AI: The enemy AI level increases well as
the game progresses. There is some variation in each mission,
which makes the game fun. In some levels, the enemy will
build a fortress with walls and plasma and wait for you to
attack. In other levels, they might come in waves at a very
high frequency. The game keeps you guessing and trying different
strategies to complete the mission. The character AI does
not seem to progress fast enough though. Sometimes your tanks
or gunboats will react to enemy attack and ignore your command.
Your artillery might run aimlessly when stuck and it may
take you a few seconds to regain control.
Graphics are sharp and pretty in this game.
The strategy planning area is on the bottom of the screen.
Radar lets you access a small map that clearly shows where
everything is; Group gives you access to each group's activities
in one glance; Build shows you a list of factories and artillery
you can build, and the amount of money you have; Info allows
access to information on anything from artillery status to
building functions; and main Menu takes you to options where
you can select sound options and difficulty levels as well
as to quit the game. The game saves the completed missions
automatically. You can start at any mission you've accomplished
before. Sound effects and sound tracks are cool, though not
abundant.
All in all, this is a fun RTS that you
will spend hours playing. There'll be additional Mission
Packs in the future. Currently there is one new mission pack
at around $5. The game takes very little space and can be
run off of a card. I did experience hanging a couple of times
running it off of a CompactFlash card on a NEC Mobile Pro
P300.
Playing Hints and Tips
First, understand what all the artillery
do and how much damage they cause. This will help you to
decide what to build. Try different routes or artillery
combo if you failed a mission. You will get it eventually.
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