Jason
chasing a bee
<strong>[ Article ]</strong>
<p>Normally, I share the opinion around here that <em>consoles is the Devil</em>. Sometimes, however, there are games that make me question this and put the crazy idea in my head that some console games are actually worth playing. Interesting turn-based tactical titles on the GBA like <a href="http://rebelstar.namco.com/" title="Rebelstar">Rebelstar Tactical Command</a> and <a href="http://www.atlus.com/toa/toa_gameplay.html" title="TO">Tactics Ogre</a> have drawn me in despite my misgivings. And a new crop of portable turn-based strategy games on the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP have recently been teasing me with their probable non-suckitude.</p><p>For example, there's CDV's Panzer Tactics DS. Gamespy just posted a hands-on <a href="http://gba.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/codename-panzers/718306p1.html" title="Panzer Tactics DS Preview">preview</a> of this turn-based WWII strategy game on the DS.</p><blockquote><p> Like most of the famous PC war games, Panzer Tactics DS employs the classic hex-based battlefield system. There are 12 types of terrain with varying effects and attributes, as well as an active weather system. (A three-day forecast can help give you an idea of what's coming up, but of course the weatherman doesn't always get things right.) Details like terrain and weather will play no small part in how you deploy your units. Planes, for example, can't do much of anything during inclement weather, and water turns an infantry unit's march into more of a slog. </p></blockquote><p>So far so good. The DS will also have a port of one of my favorite fantasy strategy titles, Disciples 2. Check out a few screens in <a href="http://ppcstudios.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=715&sid=dfd2e3c3501ff125ac02cbc130cb8425" title="Disciples 2 DS">this thread</a>. On one hand, it's nothing groundbreaking. On the other, it's a goddamn Disciples game.</p><p>One of these promising games has already been released on the PSP. <a href="http://fieldcommander.station.sony.com/" title="FC">Field Commander</a> takes the Advance Wars formula in a less anime-inspired and more western direction. Which is a good thing. Next Generation has a review post mortem <a href="http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3387&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=0" title="FC post mortem">article</a> where the FC developers comment on the reviews.</p><blockquote><p>"...if you've already played a lot of Advance Wars, there's not much new here." -- GameSpy, 4/5
Worley: Those comments are better than they sound. We are being compared directly to one of the best turn-based strategy titles made on the portable market. Our goal was to offer an experience on the PSP that isn’t available. We wanted to step into the market with a solid offering that we could be proud of, we feel that we hit the mark and look forward to the future. </p></blockquote>So if you're still reading this and not totally disgusted with me for talking about console games, where do you stand? Would you play a console turn-based strategy game? Are there any that have been calling to you in the middle of the night to betray your PC snobbery?
<p>Normally, I share the opinion around here that <em>consoles is the Devil</em>. Sometimes, however, there are games that make me question this and put the crazy idea in my head that some console games are actually worth playing. Interesting turn-based tactical titles on the GBA like <a href="http://rebelstar.namco.com/" title="Rebelstar">Rebelstar Tactical Command</a> and <a href="http://www.atlus.com/toa/toa_gameplay.html" title="TO">Tactics Ogre</a> have drawn me in despite my misgivings. And a new crop of portable turn-based strategy games on the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP have recently been teasing me with their probable non-suckitude.</p><p>For example, there's CDV's Panzer Tactics DS. Gamespy just posted a hands-on <a href="http://gba.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/codename-panzers/718306p1.html" title="Panzer Tactics DS Preview">preview</a> of this turn-based WWII strategy game on the DS.</p><blockquote><p> Like most of the famous PC war games, Panzer Tactics DS employs the classic hex-based battlefield system. There are 12 types of terrain with varying effects and attributes, as well as an active weather system. (A three-day forecast can help give you an idea of what's coming up, but of course the weatherman doesn't always get things right.) Details like terrain and weather will play no small part in how you deploy your units. Planes, for example, can't do much of anything during inclement weather, and water turns an infantry unit's march into more of a slog. </p></blockquote><p>So far so good. The DS will also have a port of one of my favorite fantasy strategy titles, Disciples 2. Check out a few screens in <a href="http://ppcstudios.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=715&sid=dfd2e3c3501ff125ac02cbc130cb8425" title="Disciples 2 DS">this thread</a>. On one hand, it's nothing groundbreaking. On the other, it's a goddamn Disciples game.</p><p>One of these promising games has already been released on the PSP. <a href="http://fieldcommander.station.sony.com/" title="FC">Field Commander</a> takes the Advance Wars formula in a less anime-inspired and more western direction. Which is a good thing. Next Generation has a review post mortem <a href="http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3387&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=0" title="FC post mortem">article</a> where the FC developers comment on the reviews.</p><blockquote><p>"...if you've already played a lot of Advance Wars, there's not much new here." -- GameSpy, 4/5
Worley: Those comments are better than they sound. We are being compared directly to one of the best turn-based strategy titles made on the portable market. Our goal was to offer an experience on the PSP that isn’t available. We wanted to step into the market with a solid offering that we could be proud of, we feel that we hit the mark and look forward to the future. </p></blockquote>So if you're still reading this and not totally disgusted with me for talking about console games, where do you stand? Would you play a console turn-based strategy game? Are there any that have been calling to you in the middle of the night to betray your PC snobbery?