Mytran Wars

The Kondor Corporation is seeking new resources in the depths of space and planet Pythar is seemingly rich in energy. An early landing picks up alien life. Life which is aggressive after Kondor warriors stomp on it with their mech armour. So war it is with Pythars indigenous life form, the Mytran's.

The plot is one of the great things about Mytran Wars. Told through basic animations you quickly learn that Kondor see the, rock based, Mytran's as little more than a disease to be eradicated. Suddenly Mr Scientist suggests that they may be intelligent. Is peace on the cards? To avoid spoiling the story it's worth saying clever writing keeps offering differing combat scenarios, obviously a bonus to a tactical game.

The game is a set of turn based encounters. Although these seem relatively easy during the training levels, be warned, they get significantly more difficult from there on in. To ease your journey you can research improvements.

Research covers different fields such as attack, defence and movement, often sub-divided into combat unit size. When the research has been done it's time to pop into the workshop and apply the changes. These applications cost money which can be tight, especially if you're purchasing new units to replace those lost in the field of combat.

Worry not as resolving these difficulties means replaying levels to increase your research and cash pools. The other reason to replay is to complete the other two objectives. Obviously the primary objective must be completed to succeed in the level. Secondary and Special are necessary to unlock research upgrades. You're not given a clue how to complete the Special Objective. Obvious on some maps — what's that glowing object over there — it can be a devil to uncover in others!

Mytran Wars opens itself up for a variety of playing styles. Spend time carefully tooling units to provide the optimum setup. Replay levels so as many upgrades are available. Go for cheaper more disposable units. The list goes on. Once you hit the battlefield, clearly laid out and easy to follow, there are tactical advantages to be had. Clumping your units for extra defence makes them more vulnerable to area effect weaponry. Using terrain to your advantage. The right unit for the right job. All of this can be taken into account.

Initially extra research points and money gained from replaying seems to make the game too easy but you'll often find levels that will fox you. The game intelligence often reacts cunningly and targets leader units. Losing them will lose the battle. However they're just too useful to hang back from combat.

There are a few niggles in the package. Sometimes, but very rarely, the map decides to sit at a 45 degree angle to the normal. This does little to add any kind of enjoyment to the level as you struggle to control unit movement. Also levels you have no hope of winning can't be quit easily. If you feel you have no hope of winning the quickest way is to quit the whole game and restart it. Unfortunately this just feels a little clumsy.

Mytran Wars' attractive package allows you to forgive these small flaws though. Enjoyable and certainly value for money with hours of gameplay it boasts a better plot than some recent console tactical games. Add in the interesting and highly replayable Skirmish mode and the opportunity to play against a human opponent and you really have the complete package.