nce again—as if anybody cares—the forces of the Free Nations Union are battling it out with the armies of the Phantom League. It seems the two have been going at it since the first game in the Massive Assault series, and they don't look like they are going to call it quits anytime soon. On one hand, that's a good thing for science-fiction gamers who like their battles turn-based. On the other hand, it's a nightmare for those of us who like our stories believable and acting passable.
The third iteration in the Massive Assault series, Domination throws down a heaping helping of turn-based gaming. For starters, there are all the futuristic units that science-fiction gamers love: BattleMech thingies, hover tanks, sleek space and aero planes and awesome weapons. For closers, there are more than 200 hours of single-player gaming in which players can employ those cool units. The employment is precise in this chesslike game. Each unit has a fixed movement factor and a fixed amount of damage that it inflicts on the enemy. Players need to plan their strategies carefully to succeed.
The game uses a three-dimensional engine that lets gamers play in a traditional three-quarter overhead view, or zoom, swoop and pivot the camera to get a better look at the detailed units. There are five single-player modes—career, campaign, assault, world war and scenario—and a clutch of multiplayer modes to go with them, including hot seat, LAN and head-to-head Internet play.
Flawed story, but fun play
So what's the problem? Primarily the story, and the way that the story is presented. Somebody must have told Wargamer.net that they would sell more games if they offered an engaging story to propel their campaign, and that somebody is right. The problem is that Domination leaves out the engaging part. The telling of the story is lame at best, and when coupled with the robotic acting makes you crave to once again reach the battlefield, where your senses will no longer be punished.
In comparison to the story, and the actors who relay it, the battles are fun. In fact, they are downright riveting. There are a plethora of units to command, all of them well animated, and each possessing unique characteristics that Domination generals must learn to utilize if they are to win. It's critical to use a clever combination of air, long-range bombardment and direct-fire combatants, such as tanks, to overcome your opponents. And after figuring out the best way to dismantle your foe on one planet, you'll need to learn slightly new techniques to win on the next planet.
This engaging play is what makes Domination worth the price of admission. Yes, the story is lame, and the voice acting robotic, but the hex-by-hex, turn-by-turn tension of the tactical combat is enthralling in itself. At times Domination can be cringingly bad, but when it's good, it's good enough to warrant a look.
It's amazing that a game with these flaws can be so much fun.
—Mark
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