Quick Hits #2
More on what I’ve been playing.
Halo Wars
It’s probably best that this has some separation from the bit on Killzone 2. Sure, they’re not in the same genre, but we all know how crazy the Internet can be.
It’s hard to tell how much my enjoyment of the Halo Wars demo stems from my fondness for Halo, and how much from the actual gameplay. Ensemble really nailed the feel of the franchise, from the way the Warthog bounces and swerves to the use of the original assault rifle’s crosshairs for the selection reticule.
Halo Wars is the first console RTS game of the generation that was actually designed for consoles, and it shows. The small armies, tight unit count, and straightforward commands (X to move/attack, Y for special ability) all contribute to a strategy experience that’s easy to control with a limited interface (compared to keyboard/mouse) and easy to digest from your comfortable seat on the couch. I think the simplicity could hide a lot of depth, though I’ll have to wait until the full game is released to say for sure—the skirmish AI was brain-dead, and there’s no multiplayer in the demo.
Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.
The flight combat genre isn’t usually my thing, but I really enjoyed the HAWX demo. I went back and played it today after reading that you can unlock two more planes. Though it got boring running the same mission three times in a row, it’s good to see that the unlocked planes aren’t just a skin change—the Harrier doesn’t maneuver as well but comes equipped with bombs, while the Superflanker speeds through the air and can fire long-range AA missiles.
I recommend playing with assistance off. It’s easier to pull off the cooler stunts, and it makes the air-to-air battles far more intense. Kind of reminded me of Crimson Skies too.
I want to talk about Flower, but I also want some time to absorb the experience and check out what others are saying. Judging from Twitter alone, the community and the press is going nuts over it.