BattleTanx: Global Assault

"A medicore tank game."

The concept of the game is simple - you drive around in tanks, you have certain objectives to complete, and the most enjoyable part - you blow stuff up. Battle Tanx: Global Assault's campaign mode is based on this mission style of gameplay(which can be played with 1 or 2 players). The story is kinda on the cheesy side - but what can you expect? It's a game with huge powerful tanks for crying out loud! But then again, who cares about a storyline when you can take down buildings with two shots?? Of course, destroying buildings isn't the only thing you do in this game :) They have mission objectives, sort of like Goldeneye that you must complete. Some mission objectives are tough, while others you'll finish very easily. Multiplayer is a blast, as you may have expected. There are several different multiplayer modes to choose from, so you have some good replay value here.

Many different types of tanks are found in the game ranked by speed, power, etc. Sometimes you'll be able to choose which tank you want to take into battle while playing the Campaign mode. As you proceed farther into the game, you'll be able to choose from more and more tanks. Power-ups and extra weapons can also be found - such as cloaking, mines, turbo power-ups, etc. Sometimes you’ll have a tough time managing all of your power-ups, it’s much better if you use your power-ups, if you use your standard shells alone the other tanks will have an advantage. Then you die, and lose all your extra items. So don’t take to long to use ‘em!

The controls aren’t bad, but it’s a little tougher then one may expect to steer the tank. This hurts the fun factor, but once you adapt you won’t have anymore trouble. Unfortunately for me – I’m one of the not-so-many gamers that suffer from video game motion sickness. Any driving games or first-person shooters have me on the floor in minutes – unless I play for hours [then I can live :)] so I was nearly hurling everytime I played Battletanx : GA. But that’s alright, because after a while everything was okay. So beware people who suffer from the power of motion-sickness.

The graphics could’ve been better – I’m sorry but I don’t remember if it is compatable with the expansion pak. The fire looks impressive, and the tanks are farily detailed. Gameplay is where battletanx blows the comptetition away [haha, get it? ‘blows the comptetition away’ huh? Yeah? Bah, oh well] with frantic action that practically screams fun. But then again, the campaign mode causes a lot of frustration because of either the difficulty or because you find yourself driving endlessly around the arena looking for where your objective must be completed. It’s much easier and much more fun with a second player [especially on those escort levels! Ack!]

Music doesn’t stand out at all – but you won’t hear it because of all the explosions and firing. The sound effects are a slightly over average with realistic explosion sounds and bullets firing, etc. The sound and music both could use some work.

So go try the game out, it ain’t bad. You’ll have a challenging campaign mode, which can be experienced with two people, a fun multiplayer mode, and just plain crazy tank action. Give it a rent – it may not be your kind of game.

***
Sushi’s Quick Sheet™

Graphics : The graphics are pretty good, and the fire looks realistic.
Gameplay: This game is FUN. Especially while playing co-operatively! Some of the missions are real tough.
Sound : The sound effects are OK.
Controls : Could use some work.
Music : Kinda stinks.
Replay : Not much to come back to in the single player department, but multiplayer is another story.
Overall : A fun game, that could've benefitted from some more time in the workshop.

***

Scores

Gameplay : 7.5
Graphics : 7
Music : 5
Sound : 8
Control : 7
Replay : 8
Overall : 7

Sushi Says : “Hrm.. I have mixed feelings about this one. It made me sick to the stomach at some points – not only because of my motion sickness :]”

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/11/00, Updated 06/11/00