An excellent RTS/shoot-em-up hybrid (Herzog Zwei)

Member Name: Burning_Darkness

Product:	Herzog Zwei
Date:	21/09/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple, engaging gameplay, colourful graphics, innovative design

Disadvantages: None

Released by Technosoft in 1989, Herzog Zwei is an innovative and engaging mix between the real time strategy/resource management of Dune 2 and the top down, shoot-em up action of Xenon 2, Truxton, Thunderforce 3, and a thousand others. You control a low-flying jet that can also convert into a transformers-style robot, as well as act as a dropship, picking up friendly units to transport them across the battlefield. Units include tanks, cannon-armed motorcycles, gun batteries, and troops, all of which can be give basic commands such as 'hold ground', 'roam', 'defensive patrol' and 'attack enemy base'.You can manufacture new units to replace those lost in battle, and these are picked up from your main base, with the objective of each side being to destroy the enemy's main base unit by attacking it with your units.

Your ship/robot hybrid can be destroyed an infinite number of times, either by running out of fuel or by taking too much enemy fire, at which point it respawns back at the main base. Your opponent has an identical ship/robot, and the game is played out in split-screen, either against computer AI or a second human player. There are also numerous outposts dotted about the levels, which include futuristic cityscapes, volcanic wastelands and countryside with forests and rivers, and these outposts can be used as alternative refuelling/unit-pickup points after a certain number of troops have been sent in to capture them (though the enemy can still take the outposts back).

The gameplay is simple yet hugely engaging, and was years ahead of its time upon its release, influencing a number of subsequent RTS games such as 'Z' and 'Total Annihilation'. Single player mode is perfectly enjoyable, but as with almost all RTS games the two player mode is by far the most fun. The graphics are colourful and appealing, the controls are responsive and the sound effects and music are basic but very satisfying, and the game remains as playable as ever. A much-underrated classic.

Summary: A successful mix of real time strategy and arcade action