Battleship: Surface Thunder – PC – Review

Gamers man your stations!! This version of
Battleship from Hasbro is the ultimate battle game to ever hit the PC. So many
of us enjoyed playing the original version; well I promise you that the
original, though fun, was tame compared to this.

This 3D version has plenty of punch, pow and fast
paced play. You are given several options of play. You can play online, play up
to four people or play against the good old PC. Every option (I tried all three)
is challenging — and talk about play being fast and furious!

The original game featured a 10 X 10 grid and so
does this one. However, if you want a quicker game, it also has an 8 X 8 or 6 X
6 grid. Once you have chosen the grid and the player option you want, you are
ready to battle the enemy! If you chose the classic mode, the set-up is pretty
much like the original. You and your opponent will set up 5 ships, from PT boats
to the piece de resistance, a battleship! Take turns and take your best shots.
The sound effects are unbelievable, from the realistic sound of an explosion
when you hit the opponent’s ship, to the whoosh of water when you miss!

If classic is not the way you want to go, then
head on over to the arcade mode. This mode makes you feel as if you are either
in an arcade or have one in your home. Although the sound effects are great in
the classic mode, wait until you hear them in arcade style! Unbelievable!!

An adventure is already set up for you in the
arcade version. A country’s friendly king has fallen ill. His son the Good
Prince Dudley has taken over for dear old dad.  But alas, before the Prince
could rule a day, he has disappeared! Taking over the country palace is the
dastardly Lord Drash, and destruction is on his mind. I have to say I loved
these characters, they really add to the game and give you more determination
than ever to win, win, and win!

Lord Drash has sunk all your fleet’s ships except
for the lone and mighty battleship. It is up to you to exact revenge and save
the Good Prince Dudley at the same time. You are in the hot seat, and you alone
are in total command to plan your strategy wisely. You may think that this
mission is a piece of cake. I mean even though you lost your fleet, you still
have the battleship, and how much more power can you get, right? Wrong! Even the
mother of all ships has some serious battles ahead, and only with planning every
step very, very carefully can you hope to conquer Lord Drash and save the Good
Prince in the making. So make every shot count!

Not only will you encounter battleships with fire
power, which could sink you in a second, you are also going to come against some
pretty hostile planes — and my favorite, some of the best sea lurking creatures
you will find in any game you have ever played. These creatures have just as
much conquer power as any of the enemies’ ships, and they make this game more
fun than you can imagine. They can show up at any time and if you are not quick
on the button, well … just be on the lookout for them at all times. By all
means grab all the power-ups you can; they come in the form of mines and air
rockets. Like all power-ups, they are time limited so be fast on the catch.

This game is one of the best battle games on the
market. In either mode, you will find it challenging, quick and most of all, you
get the best feeling of victory when the battle is won and you are the winner of
the waters!

Installation: Easy – Includes installing
one CD. You must have the CD in the drive to play.

Gameplay: 8.5 -You have two ways to go
here, classic or arcade mode. The classic is challenging but a little slower
than the arcade. That doesn’t take away from the fun, however, as both have
their own unique challenges. The gameplay on both is fast and ongoing throughout
the entire game.

Graphics: 9.5 – The graphics of everything
from the firepower to the ships to the sea monsters are incredible. The
intricate details of the ships are amazing and I think really lend to the
gameplay. The graphics give the game an arcade feel to it. Sharp and bold colors
are seen throughout the game.

Sound: 9.5 – Incredible sound effects
throughout the game. Loud, and the realism of the sounds is something everyone
will appreciate during the battle game.

Difficulty: 8.5 – The difficulty comes in
two choices. The original is a little easier, although not by much. They both
offer the perfect combination of strategy and fun.

Concept: 9.5 -The concept is taken from
the original version and that is something I can appreciate. All of the fun
connected to the first Battleship is still intact, but the newer sound effects
and 3D views just add to the total package.

Multiplayer – Multiplayer is an option
that, in my opinion, really adds to the fun of the game. Although don’t get me
wrong, the one player game also has its challenges.

Overall: 9.5