Windows Phone Thoughts: Stormline II: The Deep Fallen

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Thursday, April 27, 2006

Stormline II: The Deep Fallen

Posted by Steve Sharp in "SOFTWARE" @ 08:00 AM


A Different Kind of War
StormLine II: The Deep Fallen doesn't follow the usual format of one country versus another or earth versus the aliens sort of theme. Playing upon the fierce competitive nature of modern-day big business, StormLine II sets the stage for one corporation to literally wage war against its competitors. StormLine II is about managing resources in a manner that enables the player to build an army by producing enough energy and factories to support the war effort. Energy is produced through petroleum and other natural resources, and nuclear power. Factories can be built when enough production points have been accumulated, and weapons can be built at a rate that is determined by how many energy and production points exist. So, the principle of the game is to determine how to best use one's turns and how to best apply one's resources for the most efficient and effective growth of military power. Through building an adequate military force, the user seeks to destroy all enemy command posts on each "planet" as well as any other missions required and in doing so, wins the game. However, it's not as simple as it sounds, and it takes time to understand all of the facets of the game.


Figure 1: StormLine II has large maps and each mission requires a good bit of time to complete.

A Large Task at Hand
I was a bit daunted by the user's guide to the game. I've played many Pocket PC games, and this game has, by far, the most lengthy explanation of how to play of any that I've looked at. The manual is over 10 pages long, and I wasn't wholly sure that I understood what was being explained at times. On a more positive note, upon starting the game, I was pleased to find that there is a sort of tutorial that shows and explains what all of the symbols and interface functions are and what they do. Seeing a tutorial about all of the many functions is one thing, but remembering what each of the numbers and symbols mean is quite another.

While StormLine II has fewer "worlds" (or "planets" as they're called in Stormline II) than StormLine had, the maps are larger and each mission requires more time to complete. The user controls enable the use of the stylus or directional pad, control over music volume, and whether the backlighting is on or off. While the graphics are detailed, they're not as realistic as one might hope, given the fact that the game supports full VGA capability. I kept the music volume turned down to 0 because, frankly, the frenzied disco-ish sound of it didn't suit my personal taste.

The Battle of Wits
The first rule in a battle of wits to avoid coming unarmed. In this game the opponent knows what it is doing and, in order to stand a chance, the player must know too. Pitting tanks, missiles, and bombs against one's enemy may sound like a mindless foray into the "shoot 'em up" genre, but this game works more like a sim than a shooter. As is true in virtually every turn-based strategy game, the levels increase in difficulty and require greater skill and experience to complete. As the levels progress, it become more important to pay close attention to the resources and what is available. Misapplying energy or production points or underestimating the military power required to win a battle can be catastrophic. While the computer enemy definitely poses a serious challenge, this game seems to be one that would benefit from allowing at least two players to compete with each other. Rel Lab has said that the next version of StormLine will support multiple players.


Figure 2: StormLine II has detailed graphics, although they look a bit cartoonish.

Conclusion
StormLine II: The Deep Fallen is a sophisticated war strategy game that will appeal to those who enjoy this genre and who like the stimulation of engaging in a game that requires a fair amount of concentration and intelligence. For younger players and for those who don't enjoy games that require a great deal of thought, StormLine II may not be the best choice. It is obvious that much effort and thought has gone into the production of this game, but it certainly isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. Still, instead of taking my word for it, why not give it a try? A free trial download of StormLine II is available at Pocket Gear.

Steven Sharp is a senior systems analyst by day and a freelance writer by night. He is a 39-year-old native and lifelong resident of Huntsville, Alabama. He has been freelancing for 16 years and his first book, The Art of Managing Everyday Conflict was released by Greenwood Publishing Group in May of 2004.

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