Shattered Galaxy

"No plot, no free, no problem!"

What place needs reinforcement? Where can I get some Anti-Air? Where can I find an extra $10? When can I go to the bathroom? These were my typical thoughts during one of many several hour marathons of Shattered Galaxy. For one who loves a real-time strategy game, you can imagine my delight when I discovered this gem. How can you go wrong with hundreds of war-hungry gamers like myself butting heads with each other to gain the respect of their regiments? It seemed to good to be true, but it far exceeded my expectations. Before I get ahead of myself, let me give you a brief setting:

Some time in the 1960's researchers discovered an alien artifact, which they called the Fata Morgana. Generations of scientists kept this artifact under close watch in an attempt to analyze its structure. Eventually, they discovered it was some sort of transporter. When the scientists got bold, they decided to send a living creature on this transporter, and see if they could then retrieve it, alive. However their plan backfired-horribly. Everything within a 2000 kilometer radius was ripped out of the Earth and thrown on to the planet, called Morgana. More than 70% of the population perished in the ''transport''. The planet sustained human life, if you can call it sustaining. There were few resources and where they were heated battles took place over them. But some how, the survivors discovered some alien technologies, which led to alien war machines...
This is where the actual gameplay kicks in. When you join Shattered Galaxy (which is free the first month, but costs an additional fee of $9.99 for the following months you wish to play) you join a faction. You then fight with your countrymen to take over the planet. I can say no more or else it will take away a bit of the surprise. On with the review.

Graphics-8

Can't complain about the graphics at all. Each unit (there's about 100 total) is uniquely drawn and looks great. So does the planet; resources are very recognizable and the ground on the planet has nice detail and texture. When a bullet is shot from one of your Shades (a typical infantry unit)little sparks respond when it tears through your enemies metal body. Nothing spectacular, however, just very good.

Gameplay-10

This is one of those games you just can't get away from. A 20-minute battle seems like a few minutes. It's the kind of game that you take the disc case and throw it across the room and stomp away from the computer when you lose, but return in due time to get in ''one more battle'' before midnight. This is more frantic than Red Alert, and much more suspenseful. You'll have to play it to believe it. Not much lag during battles, either. The units are extremely different, almost to the stature of Starcraft.

Sound-7

The sound is above average in Shattered Galaxy, and deserves credit considering all the action going on the screen. Each of the plentiful weapons have are not alike in sound at all, ranging from lazers to carpet bombs. I kind of wish the sound of destruction when a machine falls broken to the ground was a bit more satisfying, triumphant, but hey, I really have no reason to complain other than that.

Replayability-9

This is another place where the game stands out. I could see someone playing this for a couple years religiously, seeing as where there are updates in the game about every other day from Nexon. It's really amazing what these guys come up with, with anything and everything from viruses in robots to new aliens found to new civil wars. The prestige points one gains when winning a battle, climbing the ranks ladder, new units availability, the possibilities seem endless. I suppose the ONLY drawback is many hate to pay that $10 monthly fee, especially since it seems that one month comes around so quickly when you play that game. But if you can afford it, no problem.

So, it is a Smash or is it Trash?-A definite Smash.

This is one of the greatest PC games I've ever played, maybe one of the greatest games I've ever played. Just go out and buy it. You'll get you money's worth.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/26/01, Updated 10/26/01