 |
| A mob approaches soldiers in a square formation. |
This process can be even harder to manage because the game's AI is suspect at
times. The unit morale factor means that individual units are constantly
fleeing the battlefield, and it takes quite a bit of handholding to prevent your
units from scattering all over the map chasing down routed units. Issuing
"stand ground" orders can help alleviate this problem somewhat, but units under
this command sometimes neglect to return fire to attacking units.
Pathfinding issues also increase the need for unit micromanagement as groups of
units will scatter all over the place on their way to their destination.
Perhaps the most disappointing of the AI shortcomings, though, is that the
computer-controlled factions neglect to make much, if any, use of formations. The
computer likes to send large mob attacks your way, and although it is smart
enough to look to flank or avoid your defenses, methodical use of formations and
flanking maneuvers on your part can keep it in check.
The proceeding points have their annoyances, but they do not sink the game.
You just need to understand that you're not getting a high-speed clickfest in
the Command & Conquer vein here. If you're the type who gets annoyed at
the fact that you never get the chance to build a huge base in strategy games or
you like to pause things often and think about your orders, you'll probably
enjoy American Conquest's style of play.
Graphics-wise the game features a 2D isometric view in the strategy game
tradition. The graphics are certainly adequate, but are more functional
than breathtaking. Things can get muddled in the larger battles, though,
as you can imagine when you have literally thousands of units locked in melee.
My major complaint with the graphics is in the game's implementation of the fog
of war. The map is only visible as far as the field of vision of your
units. As soon as a scout leaves an area or is killed, that part of the
map fades back into the fog. Some of the maps are huge, and it is enough
trouble just keeping track of where you have encountered the enemy, let alone
where you found resource sites. The game really does need the tri-state
fog of war found in most other strategy games where you have the shroud,
uncovered areas, and currently visible areas.
American Conquest is certainly packed with gameplay. You get eight
historical campaigns each featuring a series of progressively more difficult
missions, a number of standalone scenarios, and random map and multiplayer
games. Unlike most strategy games where you can complete scenarios in less
than half an hour, most games of American Conquest will run a lot longer than
that and so it will take you some time to play your way through all of the
missions. A very nice addition to the campaigns is the historical
information provided on the briefing screen. They provide a lot of
background information and help place the scenario in its historical context.
Unfortunately, even though you will learn a lot about the politics and
personalities of the times, your objectives will often be left a little fuzzy.
In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated:
78%. A deep and involved strategy game, but there may be too much
micromanagement and the pace may be too slow for some strategy gamers.
System Requirements: Pentium II 450; 64 MB RAM; 16 MB
Video RAM; 12x CD-ROM; 1.3 GB Hard Drive
Space; Mouse.
« Page 2
