Steel Horizon

I bought this game for ten dollars. I was not expecting much. Instead, I have spent many hours this vacation playing the campaign mode and skirmish mode. It is a simplistic game no doubt. The last part of the campaign when you try to destroy the submerged fort right out of James Bond? I had to figure out how to destroy it. You must let it move, catch up to it, and then wait for the prompt. Then, attack it with whatever. This will repeat three of four times, then credits. Buy this game if you like a 90% stress free game that allows you to win. Caution! 10% of the game actually needs you to think. AI in the game is fair to poor.

Not being able to actually be the one to fire the weapons is a let down. I wanted to battle, not just strategize.

This game hooks you as you search for the enemy fleet as you build up your own to destroy them. I found myself playing way into the night, waiting to see what actions the AI enemy would take. A must for every DS.

The intro as really pretty for the DS. But I was a little disappointed with the controls, going between menus could be a little more polished. I think the mission points system is an excellent idea, although it would be good to soup up the other vessels too instead of just the flagship (Perhaps in the sequel this might be addressed).

Navigation around the real time fighting mode is easy but you don't really know what is going on, you don't have time to take it in either. I reccomend saving and refighting until you get the result you want. I would stress however, it is purely dependent on how fast you push the buttons rather than any particular strategy. For example if you have 10 subs against 3 Battleships if you do nothing you'll lose 4 subs, if you press some buttons you might lose 2 or 3.

What is more important is the fleet make up. It is particularly annoying that you can't rearrange your fleet before engaging the enemy because the repair ships and transports often go in first against three cruisers, even if you have 3 or 4 battleships at the front of your fleet. Surely in real life those captains would have brains especially when you are the aggressor. But sadly it is not true it is more along the lines of, 'Oh! I have 10 revolvers against against 14" cruiser guns lets have a fight', as opposed to the battleship Captain 'I've got 18" guns and could decimate those cruisers, but I'll stay back and the landing craft and repair ships engage', . The computer however, always arranges his right, whether you attack from the bow, side or stern. Weird!!! ^_^

Anyhoo hope someone puts some cheats on the web soon as it is getting quite tricky halfway through the game.

I would recommend this to buy and it is not a bad attempt at a real time and strategy based naval game. You will have a lot more fun with Advance Wars. I was surprised as Konami are usually very very good and polished.