by Sirfalcon
With the constant release of Virtual Console and WiiWare games it’s hard to decide on a game that is worth downloading. Ronimo Games has taken a different approach on the Real Time Strategy (RTS) genre with Swords and Soldiers. Swords and Soldiers puts a twist on the RTS genre by creating a new style of play using a 2D side scrolling gameplay. Not to worry as all the RTS elements are still to be found in this exclusive WiiWare Title! It may look different from most games in the genre but Swords and Soldiers offers a different style of gameplay from other RTS games.
Graphics. Normally, the RTS genre comes packed with semi-detailed 3D units that are mass produced by the player and are ready for battle. This being a WiiWare title, the developers decided to use 2D character models that would prevent the game from slowing down. Many of the story elements are told through text dialogue boxes that move the story along. The story seems to be primarily about some food competition where various factions are trying to best their adversary. The backgrounds serve their purpose, they range anywhere from jungles to dry deserts and ice lands as you rush through to eradicate your opponent.
Control. By using the Wii Remote you can easily control your armies and send them to do your bidding. Aim at your main base click, the main build palette will appear and you’re free to build to your liking. There is also a small blue icon that sits next to your unit that can also be used to bring up the build palette. There is also a map at the bottom of the screen that is displayed for easy access. Aim at a position on the map and click the B button for an instant camera switch. Other than that there isn’t much other controls to know. Click on something and it will build. Use a special ability and click where you want it to activate. Pretty simple right?
Sound. Every RTS has their quirky sounds and quick one-liners, and Swords and Soldiers is no exception. Each Faction has their own unique lines that will either make you laugh or leave you confused on what they are saying. Sometimes it seems as if the characters are saying something totally different from what they are really saying, but let’s not get into that. As the battles rage on, nightfall will come and sometimes the music changes based on the environment. Every time a mission starts there is a distinct tune that plays. Is there anyone out there who is a fan of the old live action batman show? The tune that plays during scene changes? Yup, you guessed it, that’s the same sound.
Gameplay. Swords and Soldiers works on a straight build and destroy system. Let’s just call it an assembly line for now. Units are built and automatically walk to their target. There is no micromanagement involved here, just build and watch the mayhem unfold. Build the right units in the right order and you can pretty much destroy everything in your path. Gather enough units by making that assembly line constant will grant you control of the field and allow you to attack your opponent’s base for total victory.
The Campaign allows you to fight through 3 different scenarios with a total of 20 missions each. Completing one mission unlocks the next and so on. You start with the Vikings, who apparently want to vanquish everyone for stealing their BBQ. Hey, who wouldn’t! The Vikings specialize in healing arts, thunder strikes and strong attack units. Then comes the Aztecs, who want to protect their sacred chili pepper. Their specialty lies in poison attacks, voodoo and raising the dead. The Chinese seem to have their own goal of collecting toys and protecting their veggies. The Chinese use more of the defensive arts and stealth ninja tactics that eventually help them save up enough mana for special abilities.
Besides the Campaign there are computer skirmish modes where you can test your skills against an AI computer. You can also do local versus matches to your heart’s content. The versus mode is more of like a split screen ordeal, which is not that great cause it defeats the purpose of an RTS game where you never get to watch your opponent build armies. There are challenges that are unlocked through the course of gameplay which are fun and add more appeal to the game. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about the achievements cause there isn’t a game without them nowadays. We’ll just call it an industry standard for now.
Overall. After surviving all 3 campaigns, and I do mean surviving cause the last few missions for each faction are really difficult and are a total pain to complete. You will come to realize how each faction works and the little tricks you can use to help win against your adversary as you play through the game. There are a lot of clichés in the game but it serves well as a 2D styled RTS. It is worth downloading if you are looking for something different to try, since there is nothing out there that really stands out like Swords and Soldiers.
