Editorial: In a nutshell:
A hidden gem of the GameCube line-up gets a second chance at the limelight with one of the best uses of the Wii Remote yet demonstrated, as you control both action and strategy with a simple flick of your wrist.The lowdown:
The first Battalion Wars game was a pretty low key release, but it was actually a very clever mix of third person shooting and real-time strategy. Its main problem was that the control system was rather fiddly, as you tried to both shoot and order soldiers about at the same time. Thanks to the Wii Remote though this issue disappears as you simply point and click at whoever you want to command. The controls also work perfectly for aiming and shooting, instantly upping the action quotient of the game. At the same time the sequel also introduces naval units for the first time and the ability to capture factory buildings and build your own units. Perhaps the most enticing new feature of all though is the promise of online combative and co-operative multiplayer! Most exciting moment:
As fun as it is to play the game as just an action title or solely as a strategy game (via the new, improved map mode) the best bit is when you're running into combat, guns blazing and then you just casually point at bad guys for your tanks to blow up or order squads of men to give you covering fire. Since you ask:
The original Battalion Wars on GameCube started life as a spin-off, subtitled Under Fire, from the portable turn-based strategy series Advance Wars. You can still see the influence in terms of the unit types and the design of the main characters. The bottom line:
The Wii Remote proves its strategy game credentials. - HARRISON DENT
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