Space War Commander
Verdict: extreme challenge!
In a Nutshell: This is a top-down, real-time strategy space conquest.
(from the game’s manual)
“You are a space war commander who controls a small fleet of ships and must win against all odds. While your enemies usually have more money and ships than you, a clever strategy can always turn the situation upside down so that you’re the one with all the cash and a giant armada. One last thing. In an act of sabotage, someone turned on your starbase’s self-destruct mechanism. This means that it will gradually destroy itself, assuming that your enemies don’t eliminate you first. Really, you have no time to waste. Get to it, commander!”
- Fun Rating: Fun
- ESRB: n/a
- Players/Mode: single-player / campaign
- Game Duration: each level takes about 20 minutes (assuming you can win the first try)
- System: PC
- Developer: Dreamspike Studios
- Website: http://dreamspike.com/
- Cost: $19.99 from the developer
- Demo: http://dreamspike.com/demo/SWCsetup.exe
| Would I play this again? | yes, especially if they get multiplayer one day |
| Would I recommend this game? | yes |
| Was the story good? | it was ok |
| Was the music good? | most of it |
| Were the graphics good? | yes |
| Was this game difficult? | absolutely |
| Was this game frustrating? | not particularly |
| Was this game offensive? | no |
| Was this game worth your time/money? | yes |
Playing the game
The premise of the game is to eliminate all other starbases on the map before your starbase self-destructs or your enemies destroy you. You do this by creating a fleet of ships with the money you have available.
There are a few ways to earn money in order to build your fleet. The first is by controlling asteroids and planets as they increase the rate of income per minute. All that is required to control one is parking one of your ships on the object. The next is to use the Freighter to collect resources from the appropriate asteroids. Resources are cashed in at space ports but can be traded with certain planets for a more valuable resource. Lastly is have a Scavenger vessel on hand during a battle as they will turn the scrapped enemy ships to cash.
You and your enemies all have the same selection of ships that range from fast and weak, to slow and strong. As each map is different and each enemy has a different plan, the order and timing to build the appropriate ship is crucial. Moving the ships around is a matter of selecting the ship (or group of ships as they group together when in the same map grid) with a lef-click, then right click on the destination. Moves can be sequenced by holding the Tab key while right-clicking on various locations. And, if you need some time to think and start your ships in the right direction, press the space bar to pause the action.
What the game gets right
This game has a really nice approach to resource gathering (i.e. you don’t have to do much). Also, the game is really well balanced by having the same units as the AI. In addition to these gameplay elements, the developer kindly included a pause button that doesn’t hide the map in a fog of war. I’ve seen it every once in a while, but every time I’m able to pause a strategy game and issue commands, I like it. Sure it takes away a bit of the “real” in real-time, but some of us need a chance for the cranial hamster wheels to catch up.
The interface for the game is simple and intuitive. The sound effects during the levels are fantastically spacey and, like the interface, only add to the game.
What the game gets wrong
The only not-so-nicety would have to be the delivery of the story. The cut-scenes and script need a little polish and some of the music during story time is a bit out of place. On the bright side, all of the effort went into the game, where it’s supposed to go.
Sum it up
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve attempted level 9, (of 30!). Even using the supplied manual and walk-through I’m still unable to vanquish my foes. I’ve used emissaries to see more of the story but, alas, my universal conquest has ground to a halt.
This would be fun to see as a stand-up machine. And, given the previous statement about level 9, they would need to come empty the coin box every time I showed up to play this.
Grab the demo, which is the first 10 levels, and report back here as to how much more clever you are that you were able to get past the 9th level (and, if you don’t mind, how you accomplished it).
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