Based off the novel Prisoner of Power by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power boasts a decent set of detailed maps, units and upgrade system only to fall short in the plot department. Odd isn\'t it? Game based off a book suffering in plot? Well, turns out plot doesn\'t really matter all that much to begin with. The array of scenarios created for the campaign and the arenas in which they play out give GA: PoP all of its worthwhile moments.
Plot:
As I said, for a game based off a novel the plot fails to keep the player invested in the goings-on of each side during the four chapters. Four sides (Insular Empire, Khonties, Land of Unknown Fathers, South Barbarians) duke it out through a series of "Chapters" with you finding yourself in the middle of the struggle each time. Lucky you. This hollow shell of a military drama wouldn\'t have a chance of keeping the player engaged if it weren\'t for a variety of qualities totally unrelated to the storyline. During load times, small excerpts of the book appear on the screen and only serve to confuse the player even more as they lack any real context. I appreciate that they attempted to tie in the book - but the inclusion was the metaphorical equivalent of raking finger nails over the chalkboard - it hurts a little.
Single Player:
For a single player campaign it definitely logs the appropriate number of hours to give the game its worth. While it never truly felt challenging (even on the hardest setting), the volume of stages shows the game cares about the gaming experience. So for about 20 + stages you reinforce, blow up and conquer all according to each level\'s objectives. To the game\'s credit, the campaign starts off with a comprehensive tutorial explaining all the nuances of GA: PoP, this little start-up guide really does help out. As per usual, the objectives get increasingly challenging as the levels progress - just not to the point where you\'ll spend hours on one level. Some like that kind challenge, others prefer missions they can do in under 10 minutes. Unfortunately, when the game lacks so thoroughly in plot nice longer missions are a benefit to the gameplay - such are not to be found here.
Alongside the campaign, there\'s a series of 11 levels aptly titled "Scenarios". These were supposed to be approached as non-plot driven levels you can take on at your leisure, but since the campaign lacks so thoroughly in plot - there\'s really no difference. The Scenarios become just another chapter. Though since I didn\'t play them all, I don\'t know for certain, but they seem to be highlights of missions from the campaign. Or at least carbon-copy reproductions set on different maps. They\'re fun, but not much different from campaign.
Multi-player:
Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power possesses but one option for multi-player: Deathmatch. No fun objective games to be found here - a definite shortcoming. Multi-player games go for either and unlimited amount of time or 3, 5 or 10 minutes. Another definite downside is the preset level and team combinations. There are about 12 possible maps to choose from and each has an assigned set of playable teams. The customization of multi-player has become a facet that gamers rely on for the online experience and the failure to include any allowable variation here seriously hinders the available joy to be found.
Graphics:
The nicely rendered maps and shrubbery to be found in Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power offer a beautiful first-hand appearance which gives way in the face of clunky explosions. Normally I wouldn\'t complain about poor explosions among otherwise well-rendered environs, but this is above all things a game about war. Tanks and artillery are going to explode. It\'s inevitable. When units explode not only is the display less than impressive but the odd "chunks" of machinery just make the moment a bit odd. In no way can GA: PoP claim to head the graphic frontier; the game is far behind the curve and suffers because of it. Even the maps, though well-rendered, are in no way up to par with today\'s standards and even pale in comparison to maps offered by strategy games which came out years ago. It looks nice on its own, but when put next to the competition - err..it\'s a good first effort.
Audio:
Though graphics didn\'t astound, I did find myself enjoying the score. So much so that I attempted to root around in the game\'s folder to find the music so I could play it outside the game. Since I liked the score, I didn\'t mind that it repeated quite a bit - but it does. Anyone who finds themselves not enjoying it may get real annoyed real fast.
Gameplay:
Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power bills itself as a Sci-Fi Strategy, which I\'ll admit caught me off guard as I\'d assumed it was a traditional RTS. With the omission of "Real-Time" in its genre title GA: PoP revealed itself as a turn-based system which seriously doesn\'t fit well with me. The idea that people would take turns in war never sits well with me and for that seriously drags the game down. The turn-based system made the game far too easy.
Troop movement used a system that will be easy for anyone to learn. Click on the unit, watch as all the possible destinations pop up on the map around them in the form of colored nodes and then choose one. Depending on terrain certain units will have limitations to how far they can move or in which direction. GA: PoP\'s movement and battle system was a definite highlight for the gameplay. Movement and attack are interchangeable commands - meaning you can move first or attack first. Each unit can attack once per turn but can continue moving until their designated range has been used up.
The variety of units and the unique features of each however, play a significant role in how each battle goes down. Certain soldiers like engineers can build bridges across bodies of water while reconnaissance units serve as your radar on the ground. Meanwhile, the traditional array of artillery becomes available dependent on the mission and once again each of these units presents its own strength and weakness. In this way, GA: PoP resembles a giant military version of rock-paper-scissors. Knowing the weakness of each unit and how to use your own troops to exploit said weakness is the key to victory for this game.
Finally, for some reason GA incorporates a "Morale" system into each unit and when they\'ve been damaged to a certain degree their green "We\'re a happy soldier" indicator turns to yellow, and finally to the red "We\'re sad soldiers and will no longer fire". This concept serves no purpose other than to make your troops who have gotten hurt useless obstacles that you need to shepherd back to a base to heal. Annoying.
Overview:
Plot:
What plot?
Single Player:
Fun but nothing special.
Multi-player:
Unnecessarily restricting.
Audio:
Good score, but repetitive.
Graphics:
Behind the cutting edge, clunky explosions - nice maps.
Gameplay:
Easy and intuitive for beginners, never very difficult, predictable AI. It\'s fun to play but will never be close to a ‘great game\'.
"Galactic Assault - Prisoner of Power (PC)" is on sale September 10, 2007 and is rated T. Action.
