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Another Review (Quicktake)


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This one is from GoneGold.com:

 

Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds

[Game Was: Purchased]

 

Let me preface this by saying I'm a bit burned out on RTS games. Even the prettiest of them all, such as Battle Realms, gives me a "been there, done that at least a billion times already" feeling. However, there are some that truly enjoy the genre and just can't get enough, so they're happy when a good one comes along.

 

This one has a lot of potential, even though Lucas Arts track record in the strategy realm is lacking. With the help of Ensemble Studios, there's hope that they got it right this time. I've been a Star Wars fan since the very first movie lit up the big screen. So even though I know I've been here and done that, I couldn't pass up the chance to do it all with such friends as Darth Vader, Luke, Han Solo and gang. As always, the basics first...

 

Install:

 

The game offers you an "Auto" or "Custom" installation. I figured that the custom installation would offer various files, but the procedure only offers directory options and such. There is no option as far as size goes, with the game taking up 541 MB of disk space.

 

The game installed without incident.

 

Manual:

 

Gone Gold In Store Lift Test: PASSED

 

The 5 x 7 inch, 78 page manual is filled with unit descriptions and technology information. There is a huge tech tree for the game and most of the manual is dedicated to describing all the upgrades and features.

 

While there is no backstory included within the manual, there's plenty to read and it will be a good companion to have close by as you play the game and decide on upgrades and units.

 

Also included in the package is a 2 x 3 foot poster, which includes the tech tree for all six civilizations. Three on each side.

 

The game comes on one CD and is encased in a plastic jewel case.

 

Game:

 

The game uses the Age of Empires II engine, which has been tweaked to support many new technologies, as well as air units. The graphics, while good, are not as sharp as the AOE2 graphics. However they certainly are passable although this universe opens itself up to some amazing graphic content, so I was a bit disappointed, especially in the animation.

 

Graphics don't make the game however, and those that enjoy traditional Real Time Strategy gaming are most likely in for a treat. As I made mention, there are an amazing amount of technologies to research, which are broken down into four tech levels.

 

Each race has its own special unit as well, while other units may be different, but perform similarly to their counterparts. Food is of course one of the resources, which you can gather by picking fruit from trees, farming, corralling animals, fishing, or even placing a "floating farm" on top of the water.

 

Other resources include carbon, which is gotten from trees, and two types of minerals to mine. The game comes with a tutorial that most veterans can skip, but will take beginners from creating their first worker, harvesting resources, to fighting the war.

 

Most will be able to jump right in as long as they at least played one RTS game before. Sure, we've seen this before and the gameplay itself is nothing revolutionary, but I have to admit... It's a lot of fun seeing Wookiees on my map.

 

System Requirements:

 

P II

32 MB RAM

 

Recommended:

 

64 MB RAM

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