Review Date: 2017-01-04 CASESTUDIES: 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0 stars – Anaconda 6c v2, anaconda 3c, anaconda 4c, anaconda 4a and anaconda 5a AMBATIVE: 4.5 (exceeded) – Ancheer 5b and Khaosan 221b V3. The latter two were goooood with me as they introduced a new element to the tactical combat game that I hadn’t experienced before. If you can handle being challenged and are not easily intimidated, give this series a go. However if you find it hard to get started or don’t think you have what it takes, read on for step-by-step instructions on how to play at your most authentic 😉 Note: For parts I did not follow in part II (2.0), see here
What makes for a superb tactical combat game?
In a word, variety. At its core, a tactical combat game is a cross between a space-based shoot ‘n’run and a first-person shooter. The combat scenario is set in the far-off future, and players take on the roles of a variety of unusual androids who may or may not be armed with advanced weaponry. Guns are used as hand-held machines with advanced targeting systems, allowing players to lock onto their intended target and shoot them in the face with a single shot. This type of barrage of bullets is reminiscent of gun battles in space, and does a great job keeping the gamers’ focus on the action at hand. This is true even when the scenario involves high-speed, forward-facingemedium computers controlling a variety of unusual androids.
How the Koei Tecmo tactical combat series differs from other tactical games
The biggest difference between the Koei Tecmo tactical combat series and other tactical games is the weight of tradition in the series. The former is based on the classic tactical combat game, Ancheer, while the latter is based on the original 1866 game. Both were awarded five perfect scores by thegames on Metacritic, indicating “a universal critical reception.” The GBA classic also received a re-release as an adventure game on the Game Boy Advance, and the Steam games were added to the library. Also, the entire Koei Tecmo tactical combat series is based on one game, Ancheer. This means that there are few surprises in the box, and that the rules and everything in it are basically pretty much the same between all the titles.
The weight of tradition in the series
In terms of storytelling and gaming reputation, the Koei Tecmo tactical combat series is almost as heavy as the original 1866 game. Both titles have been released for decades, and both ghost in the contemporary market as part of a line of retro-themed games, usually with in-game ads extolling the virtues of the original.
The effects of stress on players’ mental and physical fitnesses
As I mentioned above, the Koei Tecmo tactical combat series is packed with mood and atmosphere. The premise is that a group of five players (each with one AI and five humans) take on an endless variety of unique androids in a race against time to survive in a fantastical world where everything from weather to food to risk of infection is determined by the current state of mind of the player. This potent mixture of fantasy, real-world and historical context means that each scenario in the series is unique. The AI rigs are highly realistic and explain the process of handling stress and trauma, while the results are depicted as superlative.
Conclusion
Given how great the original tactical combat game was, it’s no surprise that it has become a classic. However, its success also came with a price tag that some players have beenmoovingly deals with. The traditional “shrewd, foxy and tough” combat style often featured in the editorials of that time, is still very much in evidence in the Koei Tecmo tactical combat series. These games are often quite fast and wild, but they have a lighter touch than the more serious Ancheer. Ultimately, the choice of scenario, AI rigs and results make all the difference in the world of whether a scenario manages to score a perfect score on the Metacritic scale. The more memorable the scenario, the better it will do in your books. The more mundane the outcome, the better too. That said, there is one scenario that receives a perfect score on both counts. An extremely balanced scenario, with no wins or losses, allows the player to enjoy the rapid-fire action while letting the strategy take center stage.
