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RATING: (weak) 1 2 3 4 5 (awesome)
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IN BRIEF
Pros: Loads of missions; crisp, realistic graphics; and really satisfying explosions. Cons: Not enough "twitch" to satisfy action gamers; music only marginally better than Yanni. In a nutshell: Save the world from Communists in this mech-stomping joy ride through the hills of Japan. Multiplayer: No *ESRB rating: T (Teen) |
FACTS
Game Title: Ring of Red Platform: PS2 Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Accessories supported: Vibration Release Date: March 13, 2001 |
THE REVIEW by Nate Heasley for Gamers Today
There is nothing like a good strategy game to break up the monotony of first-person shooters. Good strategy games mix tactics and action to keep you thinking on your feet and twitching your thumbs. Ring of Red satisfies both by giving you command of an army of huge walking tanks with really, really big guns. And what's not to like about really, really big guns?
Ring of Red takes place in an alternate-history version of post-WWII Japan. In this version of history, Japan is divided like Germany was after the war, and when the game commences it's 1964, ground zero of the Cold War. To make things more exciting, North and South Japan have both developed mechs (walking mechanized infantry) and the cold war is heating up.
In battle, you pilot one of the mechs and also direct the movements of the other mechs, who are on your side. The battles take place between several units, each made up of a mech and up to three units of gun-toting troops. In the first phase of battle, you move the mechs around an overhead map. Each unit moves a specified range per turn, and can attack, recuperate, or just stop and smell the flowers. That's the strategy part of the game. But when the mechs get close enough to attack, it's mech vs. mech action with the ground troops providing support.
The mechs are strictly retro -- just lumbering machines with one big gun. And unfortunately, in the head-to-head mode your mech is limited to advancing or retreating, and firing the gun. There are some pre-programmed special moves that spice it up, though. For instance, you can target the opponent's weapon or dodge the enemy's fire. Despite the limited movement of the mechs, it still gets your blood pumping to stare down the barrel of the enemy's gun.
The ground troop movement is also limited to advance or retreat, but they have special moves like grenade attacks, smoke bombs, and rocket launchers. There are dozens of different combinations of troops, each of which brings a particular set of skills at attack, defense, or repair. You choose these skills at the beginning of the mission when you choose which troops to bring, and the sheer number of combinations adds a lot to the strategy aspect of the game.
The graphics are realistic, with good attention to detail like smoke effects and the faces and weapons of your troops. The animated movement of the mechs really gives you the sense that you're piloting something weighing at least 20 tons. The numerous battlefields give each fight a unique feel.
The only problem with the game is the complete lack of narration -- there's lots of chatting between the characters, but it's all just text bubbles. The sound effects are passable, but the music is the usual "ominous epic battle" music. The plot is well-developed, though the cut scenes could be a little more animated.
Overall Ring of Red is great as a strategy game, even if it lacks a little in the action department. The missions are long (make sure to go to the little boys -- or girls -- room before starting a battle) and there are enough of them to keep you engrossed for hours. The best part is you can almost justify putting off your homework by claiming that Ring of Red is like a history lesson. Almost.
*For a complete explanation of ESRB ratings, check out the official ESRB Web site.
