Reviewed
07.25.2000
Publisher
Sega
Developer
Sega,
SystemSoft
Format
GD
Origin
Import
Available
Jun.
22, 2000 (Japan)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Normal
Dimensions
3D
View
Isometric
Genre
Strategy/Sim
Players
1-8
Options
Backup
27~190
VGA
Box
Requires
n/a
Importable
75% |
INTRO:
> "Sturm uber Europa - Der deutsche Blitzkrieg" means "Storm over Europe
- The German Lightning-war", according to Shinobi. Many people are
touting Advanced Daisenryaku for Dreamcast as a possible Iron Storm III
in America. While I'd take this game in English with any title,
the "III" isn't exactly accurate. To my knowledge, there was at least
one such game on the Mega Drive. It was called Super Daisenryaku.
Add in the two iterations for Saturn, plus the bonus missions disc (also
on Saturn), and you get four prior Daisenryaku games (that I know of).
So actually, Advanced Daisenryaku for Dreamcast (ADD) is at least the fifth
(V) installment in this elite series of World War II strategic simulations
for Sega consoles.
> As of this review, unfortunately, there are no plans to localize ADD
for the discriminating American consumer. Don't even even say it
-- WD -- working forever with a crappy attitude while adding their own
designs to an interface!!! If you're interested in changing that,
then I suggest you sign on to the ADD petition at Sega
Force. Otherwise, this game will be difficult for most people
to play, unless you don't have a problem with a learning curve, and have
experience with a prior version and/or use my strategy
guide.
GRAPHICS:
> As with every version of Daisenryaku, the in-game tactical views are
not exactly ground breaking. Instead, they're quite functional and
sufficient. You're presented with a localized isometric view of the
battlefield and various units at all times. The terrain is 3D and
complete with roads, cities, airfields, docks, fortifications, forests,
seas, grasslands, bridges, mountains, and more. Each battlefield
map is divided into hexagons, which can hold one unit each (unless one
or more are parked). As you progress, the maps get bigger and bigger.
Unit control is icon-based, which eases the learning curve for would be
generals.
> The biggest flair of eye candy comes when you have the battles
scenes turned on. As with the Saturn Daisenryakus, you'll see real-time
rendered armies attack each other. These take a bit to load.
Therefore, once the novelty wears off, you'll be switching them off.
Also included are video cut-scenes, which help to tell the story.
CONTROL:
> Excellent. ADD is all about gameplay and I'm happy to report that
this iteration has the goods. Everything is turn based with each
unit having a specific amount of movement at its disposal. Supreme
military commander is your role. Units can move, attack, bomb, refuel,
repair, upgrade, arm, and more. At bases you can make or allocate
units. Every aspect of strategy must be considered -- position, direction,
time of day, weather, fuel, terrain, opposing forces, enemy bases, friendly
bases, friendly forces, ammunition, etc... The real question is,
do you have the tactical know how to reign supreme?
SOUND:
> Thanks to the miracle of CDs, or actually GDs, the music is wonderful.
Each country has its own orchestral composition, which matches perfectly
to their culture. If there is a song you don't happen to like --
no problem, just select a different one for the respective country.
The sound effects basically get the job done. Actually, this is kind
of disappointing as the Dreamcast's sound capabilities go far beyond average.
FUN:
> Up to eight players can take part in real World War II battles.
You can select a quick mission or begin a full scale campaign. ADD
offers all sorts of missions from the earliest Nazi encroachments all the
way to D-day. Of course, D-day may not come because you can change
history here folks! No two games will ever be the same (not even
close). That makes ADD infinitely replayable for me.
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