MoonBase Commander Preview

The enemy is advancing across the lunar landscape, but each attack has been taken out by your defense systems. Towers are in place, energy is flowing and the game plan has been finalized. Time to launch your own offensive.

MoonBase Commander, a pending PC release from Infogrames and Humongous Entertainment, is the kind of delightful program that will delight fans of turn-based strategy gaming while introducing newcomers to the genre. The game is delightful to look at, has solid though not-overwhelming effects, and an easy to use interface ­ once you understand just what it is you are doing.

GameZone had the opportunity to preview the game, which is slated for release in a week.

At first blush, MoonBase Commander may seem somewhat simplistic in design. You have a variety of alien landscapes to work on, and you begin with a hub. From the hub, you can build towers, launch missiles, deploy defense units or launch offensive units. You can also repair any unit damaged in an attack.

The idea is to find and exploit energy pools to eliminate rival factions.

The terrains are challenging, and the graphical elements are bright and colorful. The special effects (missiles launching and exploding into enemy targets, the smoke rising from damaged units or electrical charges from a defensive sphere) are well done, and add to the game.

There are three modes of play ­ the single-player skirmish, challenge mode and multiplayer mode. Each is a great deal of fun, and should you choose to go head-to-head against the game's AI, you will be in for an evolving battle. Just about the time you think that you understand what you are doing, and how to win the game, the AI changes and gets a little tougher.

The audio support for the game is quite good. From the female voice relaying battle/round information, and lauding solid tactical decisions, the game has a very friendly feel to it.

Perhaps the biggest selling point to the game is that it will appeal to young and old. Humongous has long been at the forefront of developing games for children. This game will have the same appeal, while also treating older players to a vibrant game of chess.

The game was launched without consulting the electronic manual which accompanied it. A few rounds slipped past before the concepts, strategies of the game were actually realized. But once the ideas were in place, it was easy to slip into the game. The biggest problem was fighting off a younger player who was entranced with the elements of the game. This was a player who had never played a turn-based strategy game before, but MoonBase Commander immediately snagged her attention and drew her into the game.

In addition to the evolving AI, MoonBase Commander also features a terrain editor, four factions and solo or team play.

And one of the things that is bound to make MoonBase Commander a hit is the suggested retail price of $19.99.

This is a game that is addictive and fun. The lush graphics combine with solid audio for an enjoyable gaming experience.