digibutter.nerr

[Fancy Wario]

Note - I haven't had a chance to try Wi-Fi out yet. When I do, I'll tell you how it is.

So, I've played through the first three missions. Here are my thoughts:

Graphics:

The graphics look decent - they're not the best the Wii can do, by any means, but they're passable. The art style is what saves the game, though...cartoonish characters in a gritty, realistic setting. It might not sound like it, but it works extremely well. The framerate...could be quite a bit better. Perhaps I've been spoiled by 60 frames-per-second games like Metroid Prime 3, but this game's framerate seems REALLY choppy to me.

Controls:

The controls, while complicated, are spot-on...for the most part. The only real problem is the nunchuck. You flick it upwards to jump, and to the side while holding the analog stick in the proper direction to roll. There is a very noticeable delay in using these moves, but, luckily enough, you don't need to use them all that often. It's a bit difficult to explain the rest of the controls, but rest assured that when you get the game, you'll understand them perfectly well.

Gameplay:

If you come into the game expecting your typical war shooter, you'll be sorely disappointed. Battalion Wars 2 is an RTS game...though unlike others, it drops you right into the action instead of commanding it from afar. There are a variety of different units, such as Grunts, Flame Veterans, Anti-Air Units, and more. Each unit has its own strengths and weaknesses - the Bazooka Veterans, for example, can take down tanks with ease, but their slow-moving projectiles can be easily dodged by other infantry, making them easy-picking for even the weakest Grunt.

Of course, you'll also have to issue commands, something which works quite well. Again, it's difficult to explain how it works, but you'll be commanding your battalion with ease once you play the game.

Sound:

The music is fine, but the voices...well, some of them are fine, but others...UGH. Other than that, no complaints here.

Extras:

Depending on which missions you've completed, you'll have access to art galleries, 3D models of the units with descriptions (some of which are quite amusing, by the way...I highly recommend reading them), and possibly more that I've yet to unlock. Again, no complaints, especially since they're extras.

So far, I give the game a thumbs-up.

[Francis]

[Fancy Wario]

[Almaz]

Heh...I actually found a part extremely fun in the Road to Xlvania or whatever. All of my units were killed except for a Battle Station and a Rifle Grunt. Everything around me is dead, except for a single Iron Legion Bomber. I decide not to worry about the Bomber and keep going. I shoot a missile at the statue, and then my Battle Station explodes. However, my Rifle Grunt had been attacking the statue for some reason, and it actually knocked it down just before I exploded, giving me the most humorous victory I've ever had.

Otherwise, I agree with Francis: what's so fun about it?

[Popple]

I rented the original. It wasn't fun. I'm not buying this even if it does have online.

[Paper_Waluigi]

[Fancy Wario]

Tested out two of the WiFi modes today - Assault and Co-Op.

Assault:

Assault plays out much like a normal BWii mission, though on a smaller scale. Depending on what side you're on, you'll either have to complete a series of objectives to gain access to the enemy base, or stop the other side from doing so. It's fun, but it can get somewhat repetitive - based on the map that I played on, there isn't much strategy involved.

Co-Op:

Like Assault, Co-Op is like a normal mission, but on a smaller scale. Each player will be given a small battalion to command, and they'll have to work together to finish the mission. The lack of any real amount of communication greatly hampers the experience, however; you only have two buttons: 1, which, when locked onto something, sends the other player a request to do something with it, and 2, which accepts the request. The 1 button, when not locked on, cancels your request. Coordinating attacks can be difficult, but, thankfully, there isn't too much communication necessary, as long as your partner knows the ropes.