Codex Review COPS 2170 Reviewed

[Sol Invictus]

Tags: MISTLand; Power of Law: COPS: 2170

Like me, most of us have to wait a very long time for any turn-based games to come out because of their relative scarcity in the gaming market, at least of late. While I have personally opted for replays of old turn-based titles and RPGs like Jagged Alliance 2 and Battle Isle 3, there have been a few games released in the recent years that try to fill the niche. One such game is the recently released COPS 2170, developed by Russian developers Mistland and published in the States by Strategy First.

It was only natural that Mistland would have another attempt at developing another turn-based title after the moderate successes of Paradise Cracked and Alfa Anti-Terror in their Russian homeland, but the reception for the former aforementioned title (the latter is yet to be released elsewhere) was definitely a lot less than spectacular everywhere else. While you may lament the poor sales of the underappreciated Silent Storm (my personal opinion of the game notwithstanding) in the United States, there's little of value to be found in the box of Paradise Cracked. Nonetheless, Mistland likely follows the principle of 'trial and error'. Let's see how their latest offering turned out.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

Good review, but I would like to point out that if you click your mouse in the dialogue boxes, it will immediately give you all the text in one big lump. The voice will still be going, but this allows you to read and click OK without having to wait. Just thought you should know.

 

[AZ]

Hi all, I have been reading codex for a while, but this is my first post.

I would like to point a few things out - using the "a" key you can move all the characters together (even in tb) , there is a level system based on experience and a rank system based on completing missions.
The tb combat is very unpolished. Moving units, and aiming is just pain, makes you want to go back playing Incubation. The main problem of the interface that there are lots of common things you can archive only whit keys (like turning units, group movement). There is an interesting damage model, for example if your charter's arm gets hurt, his aiming will be reduced (like Fallout), but you can't aim at the body parts of the enemy. I think it's called "undeveloped potential". The sad thing, that this game could have been much better whit just a bit of more work.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

Yeah, I was pretty upset about not being able to move all my units at once, but then I read the manual. Go figure.

I like the game. It's nothing fancy, but it's TB and, while no TOEE, it's still decent as far as strategy goes. Yes, it could be much better. Here's hoping a patch is forthcoming soon. My main reason for deciding it's a keeper though is the whole modding capability. That's where the game will shine if it ever takes off.

 

[Fez]

The review was not bad, while COPS 2170 might not be Game Of The Year, it highlighted the game had some redeeming qualities. IGN and others made it sound like a total loss.

 

[AZ]

No, it's not a total loss. It is a medicore game, whit a trashed possibility of being great. It's still better than Silent Storm. That game had a great engine, but the story, missions, the unrealistic weapons just sucked.

Sure, we can still have fait in modders.. Silent Storm had same amount of modding support, but nobody cared to make a realistic mod.

I just installed Incubation, nice turn based alien hunting, and works fine whit XP sp1.. :wink:

 

[Fez]

I liked S2 and S3, they were not as good as JA2, but it was still good. I hated waiting for items to slide about and down hills before a turn ended though.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

I just installed Incubation, nice turn based alien hunting, and works fine whit XP sp1.. :wink:

Definitely a wonderful underdog that did not get the credit it was due. I still have my copy and it and the sequel. Limited in strategy, really, but still good games.

 

[Fez]

Incubation was pretty good, it reminded at times of the spacehulk board games, with the overwatch mode, when you were up against lots of basic melee grunts (can't remember the name). Very different when you had the leaping shooting locusts and those giant monsters later on, though. It still works fine in XP. I remember liking the sound effects and voices. Tehre were some nice touches with it too, like finding team mates as you played and discovering battle fields that you could scavange.

It's a shame Blue Byte made so many good games and then ruined the Battle Isle franchise.

 

[Fresh]

Just curious - has any of the problems with this game been fixed? Perhaps they released some much needed patch?

 

[Deacdo]

Has anyone tried the ALFA demo?

 

[Naked_Lunch]

Yes, it sucks.

 

[Fresh]

BUMP

Anyone played the game recently? Are there any Mods/patches out that makes the game better?