Gaming: Battlestations: Pacific

Published on Friday 29 May 2009 13:58

Battlestations: Pacific (PC/XB360, £39.99)

DELIVERING a curious mix of air and naval warfare, 2007's Battlestations: Midway was a bold attempt to bring together various modes of play under one banner, but it missed the mark in several areas. Lessons have been learned, however, as the sequel remedies most of the issues players had with the original.

Now set throughout the Pacific Theatre, Battlestations: Pacific also tries to marry various methods of gameplay into one package. Opening with an air combat stage depicting the bombing of Pearl Harbour, a brief tutorial explains flight control and then you are off on your own, engaging in intense dogfights and bombing battleships. It can be a cruel game to begin with, but becomes enjoyable with practice.

Naval battles work well, with a wide range of ships available, each boasting a range of artillery guns and torpedoes, enabling you to switch your attack style at will. Submarines are the trickiest of the bunch, however, as you have both underwater, surface and air combat to worry about.

In some missions, the tactical map allows you to orchestrate intense attacks that show off the depth of the title, allowing you to explore a wealth of options. An atmospheric, intense and engrossing game with superb online play and replay value.