Warlocked

"A Real-Time Strategy game, on the Gameboy?!?!"

When most people think of Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games, they usually think of things like Starcraft or Age of Empires. Having huge armies, multipile units, complicated controls, and so much more. Usually, games like these are primarily found on the PC. However if you were to be told that a RTS would be found on a console, you would think ''Man no way a console can capture the feeling of the PC version.'', but if you were told that a RTS would be headig towards the Gameboy Color, you first thoughts would probably be ''Yeah right!'' Well my friend a RTS can be done on the Gameboy Color, and Warlocked proves it.


Gameplay (9/10)

Kudos the Bits Studio for doing what many thought would be impossible, creating a RTS for the Gameboy Color, and for making it fun. The game is about two opposing forces; the Humans led by Queen Azarel, and the Beast led by Chief Zog. Each side has their reason for attacking each other, the Humans of course are out to destroy the evil Beasts, while the Beast, well you'll have to play the game yourself and see what they are after. ^_^

The game also does a great job of teaching you the basics, everything from what does this builiding do, what to gather for resources, and how to build units. The game also gives out numerous tips as you play, most of them deal with beating the campaigns.


Controls (9/10)

The controls in Warlocked are simple, but they serve their purpose. With the Gameboy Color's controls (2 buttons and a D-pad), the makers managed to shrink down the numerous commands found in many RTS games, and places them all on 2 buttons! The only complaint I actually had with the controls was the fact that I keep trying to do things I do in other RTS games (Hotkeying numerous groups, queing units at the builiding) but this was due to me playing quite a few RTS, and getting used to commands such as those. If a sequel is made (and hopefully for the Gameboy Advance), the controls could only get better.


Music/Sound (10/10)

Again for the Gameboy Color's hardware, what you hear is truly amazing. The background music in some stages tends to get annoying, but most of the music helps set the mood for the stage. Another amazing thing about this game is that it has digitized voices! They can be a bit hard to hear at times, but if you select a Grunt you will hear them say things like ''Yes, master?''. It's truly amazing what they did with this game.


Challenge 7/10

The challenge in Warlocked isn't very high. True some of the missions could stump you at times, but most of the time things can be figured out with trial and error. The greatest challenge comes from Link Battle. You and a friend, link up and do battle against each other. And since a human opponent tends to be harder than a computer opponent (well most of the times anyways), you can be sure that every battle will be different.


Replay 8/10

The replay value is somewhat low. Once you beat the campaigns there is not much reason to play them again, except to perhaps earn you more wizards. Of course like many RTS games, the biggest replay value comes from challenging a human opponent.


Other

I do wish that Warlocked made units and Wizards a bit more diverse. Each side has exactly the same units, and each perform the same function. If a sequel for this game is being made, I hope the developers make units that are exclusive to one side. This way players would have to come up with different strategies, rather than using the exact same strategy with one side or another.

I also wish that the Wizards were a bit more diverse between sides. Although some wizards are exclusive to one side or another, such as Chickenwiz helping only the Human side and Pigwiz only helping the Beast side, both perform basically the same function: turning the enemy into a Chicken or Pig.


Overall 10/10

Overall, I believe that the developers did a great job of creating this game. I have minor grips with the game here and there (mainly with the units), but this game was just so fun I could overlook these flaws while I was playing. This is one game that Gameboy Color owners will seriously enjoy, and hopefully a sequel is in the works.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/03/00, Updated 09/03/00