Home › Reviews

Battle of the Generals

  • warning: Parameter 3 to block_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 2 to contact_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 2 to fckeditor_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 2 to node_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 3 to system_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 2 to user_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 2 to vbuser_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 2 to watchdog_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.
  • warning: Parameter 2 to pathauto_user() expected to be a reference, value given in C:\vhosts\pocketgamer.org\httpdocs\includes\module.inc on line 386.

Review written by Mike "Sponge" Rubits

[Editor's note: There is a PC game on Clickgamer by the same name.  I do not believe them to be related, which is a shame since I was a fan of the Stratego-like Battle of the Generals.]

eMobile Software is quickly gaining recognition with their upcoming shooter X-Fighter, however it's far from their first foray into the Pocket PC market. Battle of the Generals is a war-themed board game, with a dash of strategy thrown in, similar to the likes of Stratego. Think of it as the poor man's turn-based strategy game. It's far from the best out there, however I think it's found a spot on my crowded device. 

Graphics

Although they feel like a miss at times, the basic graphics in Battle of the Generals serve their purpose. The entire game takes place on one board, although there are 3 different themes, these don't actually have any effect on the gameplay itself. Pieces will change colour to reflect the themes, however that's just about it. Jungle features a green blobby background, wood is a slightly less blobby brown background, and marble is a gray blobby background. Not a lot of variety to say the least. Some terrain, a Bryce rendering, anything, even if it's insignificant to the gameplay itself would've made a suitable replacement. The drawings on the actual pieces are two colour. It would've been nice to have seen some colourful icons, if only because some of the silhouettes tend to blend into each other when trying to overlook the entire board at a glance.

Perhaps it's a bit beyond the scope of the game, but some battle scenes, like the old Battle Chess, or Advance Wars would've been quite cool, but it's not something I was expecting coming into this.

Sound

Some simple changes could've made the sound in Battle of the Generals much better than it is now. The game starts up with a (familiar sounding) drum section during the title and loading screens. That's it for the music. Inside the game, dead silence, bar an occasional sound. The sounds in game didn't even match what was going on! Clicking on the pieces results in a simple beep, although something like a metal clank, or a unit callout like in the RTS games would've been more appropriate. Attacking a piece results in a random assortment of gunshots; even though I was attacking with a nuke. Although they're small details, they begin to add up quickly and detract from the overall experience.

The only actual piece of music was a small horn piece at the end, the same clip when you win or lose. To put it bluntly, the sound was disappointing, and could've been much better.

Gameplay

Battle of the Generals saves face here. The object of the game is to capture the enemy's flag. This is a lot more complex than it seems, since your opponent's pieces will be covered. (unless you're on the easy skill, more on that later) It incorporates a rock-paper-scissors type system, where one unit can kill several units, but can be countered by another unit. This alone forces you commit to memory who can kill who (or just read the popups when you click on the unit) as every move the opponent makes needs to be analyzed in order to figure out its rank. After you figure out what unit something is, you have to try and narrow down its surrounding units, since there's little room to breathe on the board. This goes on until the flag can be killed/captured.

After a while, Battle of the Generals can become a bore. It's skill level, one that allows you to see the other units, does make it a different game, albeit a simpler one. However, on this level, the AI doesn't seem to have the same advantage, making it a lopsided game that's easily won. Once you slaughter the AI on the easy level, the medium level is where the bulk of the gameplay will be spent. The enemy's pieces will be shrouded, adding a new dimension compared to easy. From there you can move it all the way up to hard, in which you have a limited amount of moves to win. Personally, I would've much rather seen improved AI on different levels, rather than handicapping against/for you.

A bigger gameboard might have been a positive improvement. Right now, your pieces are in 3 solid rows, and without jumping, you better make sure your front lines are good. A larger field would have made for some interesting strategies indeed.

Pros:

    • Provides quick & fun gameplay

    • Acceptable AI

    • Detailed in-game help

Cons:

    • Flawed sound

    • Limited gameplay options

    • Boring presentation

Conclusion:

Battle of the Generals is a fun game once in a while, however don't expect anymore than a few games at a time before tedium sets. While it's in dreadful need of a good polish, it's still a passable little boardgame. Lacking sound, not enough gameplay options, and mediocre graphics is Battle of the Generals in a nutshell. Strategy buffs, look elsewhere. For a pick up and play game, it's decent fun, although there are much better out there.

Score-by-score breakdown

Gameplay:  60%
Graphics:  50%
Sound:  30%

Overall:  50%

Please note that the overall score is more than simply an average of the individual ratings.  Many thanks to eMobile Games for providing our review copy.

You may wish to search for more reviews of games from eMobile Games. Alternatively, you can view all the reviews written by Mike "Sponge" Rubits.