Gameplay impressions
What do we like?Though we enjoyed the historically-based missions in the first game in the series, the single player offering was way too short. This time around the addition of the Japanese campaign means that there are loads of missions to get stuck into, approximately 28 in all, as well as numerous side challenges. Despite the wealth of content though, there’s plenty of variety in the missions and some extremely challenging scenarios to get stuck into.
There are some enjoyably intense battles during both campaigns and the noisy dog fights and huge battleship explosions have been made more authentic than ever thanks to a new damage modelling system that adds even more realism to the warfare experience. The ability to switch rapidly between different units and the cleverly designed 2D map are just two of the numerous features that ensure that the two campaigns are just as much about strategic thinking as they are about your skill behind the wheel of a stealthy Narwhal Class Submarines or the bridge of Destroyer warship. Battlestations Pacific has a well measured mix of action and strategy so you'll find there’s plenty to think about as you switch between the map to command vessels and air units and jump in and out of units in order to keep up and control your mission. We found it quite common to become totally immersed in a one or two hour mission when there's so much to think about.
The physics engine has been tweaked from the first game so controlling the planes in particular is a much more an accessible and enjoyable experience and players new to the series will get plenty of excellent tips from the Beginner mode. Some excellent A.I. helps no-end in making Battlestations Pacific fun to play. Squadrons of fighter planes and fleets of battleships respond unequivocally to your commands, your set flight paths and your orders to withdraw or attack. Therefore, when you do jump into the cockpit and fly alongside your allies, it really does feel like you’re part of a team and you are their leader.
A well designed, clear user interface and tactical map, plus a smooth control system compliments the wealth of interesting missions very well.
Click for larger imageWhat don't we like?
The change in gameplay tempo may put off some gamers. Switching from an intense dogfight in a Hawker Hurricane to a Northampton Class cruiser is a huge drop in pace. Sometimes it feels like you’re waiting an age for one of your ships to catch up with some of your other allies.
The gameplay in Battlestations Pacific can also be very demanding, even draining during some missions. There’s a lot of strategy involved to win the day and jumping in and out of the menu to command units and working out whether to put out a fire on your ship or fix the engines first can be overwhelming. There’s a steep learning curve, compounded even more so by the variety of craft that you’ll be manning and the different types of weaponry and variation cross-hair size that you'll have to adapt to.
Final Thoughts
You can’t really critise a game for providing a stern challenge. If you've played Battlestations Midway there’s no doubt at all that you’ll love this improved sequel. In a genre that notoriously struggles to impress on console, Batttlestations Pacific does a very good a job at blending strategic gameplay with all-out explosive action.
FINAL VERDICT - 8/10
