Shattered Galaxy

"Ready for an entirely new online experience?"

*****Warning*****
If you give this game the time of day it will make you quit every other game you own, in fact you'll find yourself no longer caring when new games come out...What? War Craft III is out already huh.
*****Warning*****

Shattered Galaxy melds the character building of your favorite RPG, the apex of a RTS battle (when you actually get out into the field with your units to smash up the enemy) and of course the teamwork needed to last in your favorite team based FPS.

After a little tinkering to create your very first avatar you'll discover yourself in the middle of a capital city. All about you other avatar's moving to and from various buildings. This is when the RPG fan gets to go to work. No you don't get to scavenge the great waste lands for some obscure relic. You do get to go and purchase your very first set of units though. Maybe the gleam from the ghasts light saber will catch your eye. Oooooo look at those powerhouse behemoths. Woah there check out the aliens they look like fun. Don't worry you can buy yourself 48 units...choose wisely cause you'll become very close to your units as you spend hours cleverly crafting your units with weapons, armors, engines, biodrives, sensors, computers, and special abilities to give you that little edge over your competition. Nothing more satisfying when you manage to get that perfect unit set up, trust me you'll know when you have it. What's this? you see cooler units that are grayed out and even mk2 mk3 oh my god mk7 versions of your unit in battle well then I suggest you invest in clout. How bout those cool weapons? Well education is for you. Can't compromise armor for fire power? MA will help you out there. Oh you want to swarm the battle field with more units...you must be a tactic whore. That's right, you'll strive to be called a whore one day believe it or not. I proudly proclaim myself to be an Education whore, my good friend preferred the title clout whore much more. As you build your character stats you'll become distinctive in your faction in terms of your abilities. If you hate your choices you'll be able to reincarnate later on and get another go for the perfect point distribution (this time with a few more points).

Next comes the your first battle. Will you play the game of cat and mouse of trying to draw your enemies into a veritable deathtrap or will you blitz across the map hopefully pulling off the dreaded cap lock. Its up to you but make sure you travel in groups cause if you try to do it solo chances are you'll get thumped. Never fear those great friends you'll have made in your regiment will pop in to save you. Once your in battle you'll find yourself in a frenzy. Better not stand still someone may be depending on you. Its time to take those new units of yours out to reap some damage. Don't feel bad laughing at the poor fellow you just laid waste to cause he'll be back in a few minutes for his revenge.

So You've won the battle but are bruised and battered why not stop back into your capital for repairs and a glimpse at your factions BBS. Before you know it you'll be posting on that board offering your opinion on faction politics and tactics. Fast forward a few months and you'll maybe be using that board for your bid as Overlord or to recruit for your very own regiment which you've just been given. This is Shattered Galaxy, this is what entertainment was meant to be.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/10/01, Updated 12/10/01