Sangokushi Taisen DS
After a string of bad to ok games, finally the Sega I used to love is coming back. Based on the arcade hit in Japan, Sangokushi Taisen DS is more or less a port of version 2.0
The arcade game was unique in that it utilizes real cards on a flat surface as a method of controlling units in the game. With the DS version, you mimic that control by moving cards around the touchscreen with a stylus.
What is it?
Sangokushi Taisen DS is a real time strategy game using cards as the interface. Imagine a vertical field with your base on one side, and your opponent on the other. There's no alternate bases. No resources to collect. Simply a battle for superiority.
You'll be sending in troops across the field to attack the enemy base. Whittle their defenses down to nothing, and victory is yours. But of course, they're trying to do the same to you. Skirmishes will occur as your armies cross paths. You'll be blocked by terrain and fortified walls.
And get this. It's a Nintendo Wi-Fi game.
Strategy?
Different unit types have different strengths and weaknesses. In typical strategy fashion, rock-paper-scissors plays a big role. Calvary will slaughter archers. Spearmen will take down calvary with ease. And archers will mow down spearmen. Other units are more neutral. Each of the unit types have their own movement speed as well.
But each unit is managed by a general with his/her own attributes. Some are better at physical combat, and other weaker generals can cast some incredible spells. A magic bar will fill up with time, so take advantage of it. Generals even have special abilities that give bonuses to certain stats.
Unlike most RTSes, even if your units die, they will respawn after a certain amount of time. So your goal isn't necessarily to destroy your opponent's units, although it could be a part of your strategy. Your goal is to take down their base.
Cards?
The cards are used more as an interface than anything else. Unlike most card games, there isn't really a random factor. The cards you choose to be in your deck are the units available to you for the battle. But there's a catch... you can have anywhere from 3 units in your army to 8 different ones. Each card has a cost from 1-3 orbs. Your army can only be comprised of a maximum of 8 orbs. Generally the higher the cost, the more powerful the unit. So you build your army/deck however you choose, and can store up to 8 different ones.
The cards are also used for movement. They are not cast, but simply placed on the map before the battle begins. When the game starts, you slide the cards across the touchscreen to tell the units where to go. This functions just like a mouse does on a computer RTS. The cards do the most damage where they're facing, so you can even rotate the cards to have it face a particular direction even when moving. Your card placement shows the endpoint of where you want your unit to move, so if you encounter an enemy along the way, your unit will fight, but will continue to press on toward that endpoint. The fighting is mostly automatic, as you play more of a guiding role.
But occasionally, if you collide with the opposite army directly, you'll encounter a "Single Challenge" where you tap the screen to a certain timing to determine the outcome.
When you finish a battle, whether win or lose, you will gain an additional card. And just like CCGs, there are commons, uncommons, rares and very rares. They also include an exclusive real card with the game that can be used with the arcade.
Impressions?
It's fun. I like that it's a simple, no-nonsense 1v1 game. Just take down your opponent. But it also has depth. You can develop strategies with your unit/deck choice. Utilize terrain on the battleground. Cast spells at opportune moments to turn the tide in your favor. Flank your opponent on one side or keep their army separated. It's all up to you. And best of all, a game is not a 2 hr long investment like some computer RTS fights. It's arcadey, so you can finish a match in about 10 minutes.
I also got a chance to try the wifi mode and got promptly beat down by a Japanese player with a much better deck and even more better grasp of all the strategies available. Ouch. But just like other WiFi games, you can set up friend codes/lists, or if you have friends in the area, you can do WLAN play. Not sure if you need two cartridges tho... will report back later.
Sangokushi Taisen DS is exactly what the DS needs - a strong, unique game with great use of DS features and addictive competitive play. Don't overlook it.
After a string of bad to ok games, finally the Sega I used to love is coming back. Based on the arcade hit in Japan, Sangokushi Taisen DS is more or less a port of version 2.0
The arcade game was unique in that it utilizes real cards on a flat surface as a method of controlling units in the game. With the DS version, you mimic that control by moving cards around the touchscreen with a stylus.
What is it?
Sangokushi Taisen DS is a real time strategy game using cards as the interface. Imagine a vertical field with your base on one side, and your opponent on the other. There's no alternate bases. No resources to collect. Simply a battle for superiority.
You'll be sending in troops across the field to attack the enemy base. Whittle their defenses down to nothing, and victory is yours. But of course, they're trying to do the same to you. Skirmishes will occur as your armies cross paths. You'll be blocked by terrain and fortified walls.
And get this. It's a Nintendo Wi-Fi game.
Strategy?
Different unit types have different strengths and weaknesses. In typical strategy fashion, rock-paper-scissors plays a big role. Calvary will slaughter archers. Spearmen will take down calvary with ease. And archers will mow down spearmen. Other units are more neutral. Each of the unit types have their own movement speed as well.
But each unit is managed by a general with his/her own attributes. Some are better at physical combat, and other weaker generals can cast some incredible spells. A magic bar will fill up with time, so take advantage of it. Generals even have special abilities that give bonuses to certain stats.
Unlike most RTSes, even if your units die, they will respawn after a certain amount of time. So your goal isn't necessarily to destroy your opponent's units, although it could be a part of your strategy. Your goal is to take down their base.
Cards?
The cards are used more as an interface than anything else. Unlike most card games, there isn't really a random factor. The cards you choose to be in your deck are the units available to you for the battle. But there's a catch... you can have anywhere from 3 units in your army to 8 different ones. Each card has a cost from 1-3 orbs. Your army can only be comprised of a maximum of 8 orbs. Generally the higher the cost, the more powerful the unit. So you build your army/deck however you choose, and can store up to 8 different ones.
The cards are also used for movement. They are not cast, but simply placed on the map before the battle begins. When the game starts, you slide the cards across the touchscreen to tell the units where to go. This functions just like a mouse does on a computer RTS. The cards do the most damage where they're facing, so you can even rotate the cards to have it face a particular direction even when moving. Your card placement shows the endpoint of where you want your unit to move, so if you encounter an enemy along the way, your unit will fight, but will continue to press on toward that endpoint. The fighting is mostly automatic, as you play more of a guiding role.
But occasionally, if you collide with the opposite army directly, you'll encounter a "Single Challenge" where you tap the screen to a certain timing to determine the outcome.
When you finish a battle, whether win or lose, you will gain an additional card. And just like CCGs, there are commons, uncommons, rares and very rares. They also include an exclusive real card with the game that can be used with the arcade.
Impressions?
It's fun. I like that it's a simple, no-nonsense 1v1 game. Just take down your opponent. But it also has depth. You can develop strategies with your unit/deck choice. Utilize terrain on the battleground. Cast spells at opportune moments to turn the tide in your favor. Flank your opponent on one side or keep their army separated. It's all up to you. And best of all, a game is not a 2 hr long investment like some computer RTS fights. It's arcadey, so you can finish a match in about 10 minutes.
I also got a chance to try the wifi mode and got promptly beat down by a Japanese player with a much better deck and even more better grasp of all the strategies available. Ouch. But just like other WiFi games, you can set up friend codes/lists, or if you have friends in the area, you can do WLAN play. Not sure if you need two cartridges tho... will report back later.
Sangokushi Taisen DS is exactly what the DS needs - a strong, unique game with great use of DS features and addictive competitive play. Don't overlook it.
