Elite Forces: Unit 77 (Nintendo DS) - Review by Andrew

Introduction

Given the popularity of games like Cannon Fodder, this type of arcade action genre hasn't been exploited not nearly as much as you'd expect. There was talk of a remake some years ago but Codemasters were reportedly unhappy with initial demos and the project was shelved. Elite Forces is one title that hopes to fill the gap and the usual ingredients, including kidnapping, espionage and 'the global threat' are all present and correct. As with all action games though, the overall plot is far less important than the gameplay so what does this one have to offer?

Gameplay

Elite Forces places you in charge of a group of four soldiers each of whom have their own set of specific skills and weapons. Kendra Chase is an expert with a sniper rifle, Dag Hammer is armed with a Bazooka, T.K. Ritcher has the ability to drive almost any type of vehicle, whilst Bill Matic can hack into a range of electrical devices. It's only by working together, as well as taking things slowly though, that you will achieve any level of success. The main reasons for this are the mines because to make to game more challenging, the developers only enable one of the soldiers to see and disarm them. Unfortunately, this won't stop other members of your team mindlessly stepping on one whilst T.K. is carefully working on the device. The other reasons are the opposition troops. If you run too quickly into an area they'll surround you, which can make for a very short game. Fortunately there are health packs around, however you can waste this by giving it to the wrong group member occasionally when the game engine is unaware that they already have full health. Save points are also few and far between with a fifteen minute mission only containing only one which, rather than making the game more challenging, will drive you to distraction.

The missions themselves are reasonably entertaining but far from original as the developers appear to have gone through an action game checklist to construct the various scenarios. There are hostages to be freed, terrorists to be captured and removed and stuff to be blown up. There is a problem however; because it's not always clear exactly what you should be doing in the missions you will end up exploring every corner of the map thus placing yourself in even more potential danger. Finally, this is only a single player experience but once you have been though the story mode you can always have a go at the Quick Fire section to revisit past missions.

Controls

All touch-screen, in case you didn't read the various press releases.

Graphics

The isometric game engine works very well and allows for a decent amount of area to be seen at any one time. The actual environments are also well designed with jungles full of trees casting shadows on the ground and desert areas appearing hot and bleached out. The top screen is given over to a map and other information, with the developers clearly taking their lead from Modern Warfare with its zooming and pixilated appearance. Unfortunately the various cut screens which link the story are less appealing, looking unfinished and lacking the visual polish seen in the rest of the game.

Sound

The audio is very good indeed and while you are treated to some suitably epic music at the game's front end, the in-game soundtrack is much more atmospheric and perfectly suited to the stealth gameplay. The sound effects are also excellent with everything from footsteps to the various weapons well constructed.

Dual screen

The developers have dumped the traditional controls completely and you'll have to use the stylus for everything. This works reasonably well for movement although only the lead character will display any intelligence and it's sadly very easy to get one of the group members stuck behind an obstacle indefinitely. Firing a weapon is simply a case of selecting it and tapping on the enemy but this occasionally means you must approach the very thing you are attempting to take down, meaning they'll have a much better shot at you. This is also true of anyone throwing a grenade in your general direction and the likelihood of all of your team escaping without any damage is minimal.

Final comments

While Elite Forces is reasonably entertaining it could have been so much more. The various 'design' decisions that the developers have made make the game incredibly frustrating. They have no doubt been included to lengthen the gameplay but the lack of save points, dumb AI and the fact that you have to restart the whole level as soon as one of your team dies will have you dropping your DS in exasperation. Even worse are the glitches, which mean your team members will severely 'underperform' unless they are the lead character. They'll get lodged behind objects and roam into danger on a regular basis. Elite Forces showed so much promise but sadly the experience is flawed and far from enjoyable.

Pro: Nice In Game Visuals, Great Sound Effects.
Con: Not Enough Save Points, Dumb AI.
Final score: 4.5

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