Rating: 
Summary: An immersive, addictive game
Review: This game was worth every penny when it came out. Now that it is selling for a deep discount, it should be on your list of must-haves if you don't already own it.JA2 is an exciting, immersive game in spite of its slightly outdated graphics. The interface is fun and user-friendly and the replayability is outstanding. That's because the game has so many options with regards to which and how many mercenaries you choose to build your team, and what weapons and equipment you use along the way (you can even build items with stuff you pick up in the game). Also, the game is non-linear. You can attack the towns on the map in any order you wish, although like most games with a role-playing element, the increasing difficulty factor tends to encourage you along a certain path. Again, though, it is the tremendous freedom this game gives you that makes it so great time and again. You can, as I mentioned, build your team from a number of mercs with very different abilities and personalities that have a genuine impact on gameplay. For example, mercs with high medical skill may be invaluable after a tough firefight, but in the heat of battle they may be more liability than asset. Snipers my be critical to one mission, while strength may be what's needed in another. As your mercs increase their skills, you may find yourself growing attached to them, like any good role-playing game. You can even break your team into numerous squads and send them all over the map. All these choices make the individual battles as much a puzzle-solving exercise as a combat action sequence. You are almost always outgunned, so rarely will a straight-ahead firefight get you where you need to go. You have to plan carefully and usually have to play a map several times, trying different strategies until you find one that works. In spite of all the planning and the fact the battles switch into turn-based mode, the battles themselves are pretty hairy and immersive, and will usually get your adrenaline pumping. To summarize, this is a great game. Though violent, it's not overly gory and it is as much a mental exercise as anything. I heartily recommend JA2.
Rating:
Summary: The most overlooked GREAT game you ought to play.
Review: This is one of the most FUN games ever. Every game is slightly different, many mods have been made, I can't stop replaying this game! While there is a good weapon selection (if you choose the tons-o-guns option), my only wish is that it were even more extensive. The game mechanics also over looked the fact that a .45 ACP slug (or 5.56N, etc) does the same damage regardless of what gun it comes out of (the damage results are different for the M1911A1, Thompson, and UZI, for example). The type of firearm determines reliability, effective range, difficulty to hit, number of rounds in a burst, but the damage from a caliber is the same. One other thing that would have added realism would have been the ability to pop .38Spec ammo into a .357Magnum revolver (they use the Barracuda). Beyond that the weapons system is great. Example of gameplay: You start taking fire from a building, but you can't get a fix on him. every thing shifts from real-time to turn-based the moment the shot is fired. You could advance to the building until the sniper comes into veiw, or fire a burst of auto-fire into the offending window(possibly hitting the sniper), or pull back, wait a couple of turns so that the game goes back to real-time, sneak up from a different angle, and hope the enemy hasn't moved. Bodies catch fire (and run around like headless chickens), chest cavities explode flinging the rest of what was the enemy backwards, heads come clean off with a fountain of aortic spray, and explosions take out entire sections of builings. Small arms, big guns, even chemical weapons, what more could you ask for (outside of more small arms, big guns, and chemical weapons:)?
The blending of RTS, Roleplaying, and TBS is great, and keeps the action pumping; the initiative system for interupts keeps you jumping; and the story line keeps keeps your heart thumping(watch out for Bloodcats and Big bugs in Sci-Fi mode). The puff of smoke, sound of an RPK-74 ripping people into pieces, the thud of the body(parts:), man there's nothing like it:)
Rating:
Summary: Best strategy game I've ever played
Review: What struck me the most about this game was the attention given to detail. I don't mean visual detail (although the graphics are good), I mean the details that make any game good. This is a combination turn-based and real-time, role-playing and strategy game, and it takes the best elements from all worlds. All player attributes (health, strength, HP, wisdom, etc.) are used and monitored. Players have their own abilities, personalities, likes, and dislikes, and gameplay is affected by them. Abilities increase with use and experience, but can decrease due to injury. Each player has it's own morale, and performance will vary with morale level. Combat is intense. There is a suprisingly wide array of weapons, explosives, accessories, and other items that can be used, and each behaves in a unique fashion. Various parts of enemies can be targeted. Gameplay is non-linear. You are able to go anywhere in the game at will (although it may not always be advisable to do so). I've played this game three times, and I'm still not tired of it. I never buy games right when they come out -- but I bought this one. Download the demo and take a look!
| 
