Missile Command Delta, from builders Mighty Yell (The Huge Con) and 13AM Video games (Runbow), is an expertise of two halves.
The primary is a turn-based technique tackle the traditional Dave Theurer-developed arcade sport Missile Command; one which shouldn’t work in idea, however genuinely does. The second is a misguided try so as to add context to the technique gameplay by putting you in an underground bunker with a gaggle of pals, compelled to unlock its mysteries by way of first-person perspective. Frankly, I want this second half had been left on the reducing room ground.
However let’s begin with the positives. Situated all through the bunker are terminals by which you entry the ‘traditional’ Missile Command setup. Right here, you’re taking management of two pc shows: the left is an approximation of the unique 1980 gameplay, with missiles making their means down a hexagonal grid to the bases that it is advisable to shield; the precise exhibits the arsenal of defensive missiles in your stock, displayed as ‘playing cards’ that you may choose to make use of on the taking part in discipline.
Whereas the unique sport had you progress a cursor with a trackball and level to the precise spot you want to fireplace, Delta ditches this strategy completely. As a substitute, you choose the missile you want to use from the playing cards at hand, then select from round two to 4 bases from which to fireplace. The sport exhibits the projected path of each your individual and enemy missiles, and so your goal is to wipe out all incoming fireplace with none reaching your bases.
The factor is, you may’t simply choose playing cards willy-nilly and be performed with it. Every missile sort has sure properties and vitality prices. So, for instance, the ‘M-21 Finch’ has a brief vary and low value of two, whereas the ‘FL-41 Terrier’ has an extended vary, a bigger explosion, and a better value of 5.
You should use as many playing cards as you want to clear the display screen till you run out, however to be able to ‘ace’ every terminal, it is advisable to preserve your vitality value at or beneath the designated goal. So when you’ve got a goal of 10 and use two ‘Terrier’ missiles without delay, you’ve reached your vitality restrict in a single go. You may preserve going, however acing every terminal is commonly essential to progressing the story.
The sport eases you into its technique gently, however issues can get actual bushy later if you’ve received virtually a dozen missiles to defend without delay. You will get entry to new varieties of missiles and even shields to accommodate, including depth to the gameplay as you go. It might take a minute to get used to the slower tempo in case you’re acquainted with the unique Missile Command, however determining the optimum strategy to defend your bases is genuinely thrilling and satisfying.
It’s a disgrace, then, that that is surrounded by a nonsensical, boring narrative by which you discover an underground bunker to unlock new areas and terminals. You play as Skye who, alongside along with her pals Adel, Marta, and Victor, decides to spend the night time in a bunker earlier than all of them go their separate methods – as you do. An unknown conflict is quietly brewing within the background, so whereas they’re down there, assaults start to happen. Sky, fortunately, magically is aware of precisely what to do and the best way to defend the realm by way of the principle terminal. Adel places it right down to Skye’s “gamer abilities”. Okay, I suppose?!
The factor is, it by no means actually seems like there’s a conflict happening. There are zero stakes at play, and the characters just about simply resolve to maintain messing round with the varied terminals, as a result of that’s apparently the important thing to their eventual escape. There are temporary moments of intrigue that saved me – Who’s the mysterious Khan character? And what have been these footsteps within the decrease degree? It’s surface-level stuff although, and finally the choice to place you within the sneakers of an adolescent is misguided.
It seems like a play on the ‘isekai’ trope, it simply doesn’t actually work right here, although. If I’m taking part in a Missile Command sport, the stakes must be a lot increased. I don’t have to learn Victor jokingly ruminate on whether or not the earlier bunker inhabitants washed the dishes or not.
As for the precise gameplay throughout these segments, you’ll slowly work your means across the bunker, opening cabinets and drawers, discovering new missile playing cards, and flipping numerous switches to unravel puzzles and entry new areas. It’s wonderful, although the visuals go away a lot to be desired. Rooms lack element and environment, and so as a substitute of feeling such as you’re in a mysterious conflict bunker stuffed with tales and recollections, you’re as a substitute simply going by the motions, desperately attempting to advance the story as rapidly as potential so you could find the following terminal.
Credit score the place it is due, nevertheless: the music is great. It’s a mixture of ethereal, retro-inspired ambient tracks and extra intense renditions through the ‘correct’ Missile Command gameplay. If the visuals fail to make you consider you’re in a real underground bunker, the music triumphantly succeeds. It exudes thriller and intrigue, and I typically discovered myself pausing at occasions and simply letting it play within the background.
A fast be aware on efficiency: given the rudimentary visuals, I might have anticipated Delta to run at 60fps, however you’re 30fps all through on Change. It’s constant, nevertheless, and so I’ve no main points in that regard. On Change 2, the sport runs completely wonderful for probably the most half, however in case you occur to fail throughout a essential assault sequence, it’s going to typically crash upon reloading. Positively one thing to remember, and a problem I would think about will likely be patched out pretty rapidly.
Conclusion
Missile Command Delta is an unlucky misfire from Atari. I need to adore it; heck, I do love the precise turn-based technique gameplay discovered throughout the numerous terminals. The issue is that it is surrounded by uninteresting explorative sections and a story that simply does not resonate.
There is a actually strong basis right here, and I would like to see Atari discover Delta’s mechanics extra sooner or later, however a bit extra thought is required in how such an intriguing idea is delivered to the participant.
