Tanktics

Rating:
Summary: Tanktics is a good game!
Review: Despite what others say (and my friends, who are obsessed with Heroes of Might & Magic), Tanktics is a fun game. For those who are tired of Annihilating or Conquering, Tanktics is a fun break. Yes, it does has some drawbacks (micromanaging required, annoying AI, strange concept), but overall it is pretty fun. I am not sure where to find this game for sale, but it is worth it. It has lots of detail, and is fundamentally different from other RTS games. Here's a brief overview: You use sheep to run the Part-O-Matic. When they tire, you must dip them in a liquid called Sheep Dip. You build custom tanks from parts randomly built by the Part-O-Matic. There are about 6 different weapon types, and each tank needs an engine for each part (slow=1 weapon, medium=2, fast=4). Unlike other RTS games, blocking the enemy is bad. You build parts from enemy tank parts, and gameplay is a constant balance in directing the tanks to your waiting forces. Enemy tanks constantly search for the shortest route to your Part-O-Matic, by using the differing terrain (that certain tanks can cross and others can't), you can trap them and recycle their parts. On 5-out-of-6 levels you must destroy the reciever (on the others you must steal the transmitter). You must always be alert to enemy tanks that will "beam in" and mount sneak attacks. Overall this game has 24 levels, plus 8 time-trials and several tutorials. This game is fun, imaginative, and unique. It is hard-to-find anywhere, but if you do find it I highly recommend it. Why? Because it's a really fun game!

Rating:
Summary: Fun for a while, then frustrating.
Review: This is a cool looking game, with fun graphics and sound effects, and an amusing take on the whole RTS thing, but it gets frustrating pretty fast.

The problem is that the control scheme makes it difficult for you to do what you want, and the game rapidly makes harsh demands on you, so you find yourself quickly floundering. After you've struggled past the first few levels, the demands become more of a chore than a pleasure.

Unfortunate. This game could've been great for kids, but it requires an adult's manual dexterity to make it work.