========================================================================== Newsflash Product Review : BREACH 2 ========================================================================== Programmed by : Omnitrend, USA. Released By : Impressions Software, UK. Price : £24.99 [Req. 1meg of ram or more] ========================================================================== As the name would suggest, this is a sequel! The original Breach appeared back in 1987 to rave reviews and praise from wargamers and strategy fans alike. Breach2 is heralded as the next generation of role-playing combat games and features colourful graphics and sampled sound effects, wide varied terrains, mission editors, intelligent opponents, many victory conditions, advanced combat, advance through the ranks, form campaigns, many skill levels and much more. Breach 2 gives you the task of controlling a space combat force into many scenarios, each time given a task to rescue someone, kill the enemy, hold a position, destroy datapacks and much more. Different scenarios have different skill levels and can take place in very large areas over different levels. Your squad of marines vary in skill and what they are able to do and there are even specialists such as Scouts, Infiltrators, Crackers and Brains. There is a large amount of weaponry and special equipment they can find, this adds a lot to the range of activities and strategies you can use - plus the more intelligent aliens can also use some of the technology to equally devastating effect. As with other games of its type you take turns maneouvering your team across the terrain, then the computer makes its move and the battle commences. The system is very easy to use after 20mins or so and becomes second nature although you have a habit of trying to shoot your other men every now and again if you have a lapse! The system is fast and reacts quickly to your orders - which is important as other systems have a tendancy to irritate and confuse. There are 10 missions with the game, 2 easy, 2 medium, 2 hard and 4 very hard. The word HARD means just that too. After a few hours you should have got well enough into the system to be able to complete the first 4 missions.. but as for the others.. you've a definate fight on your hands. There's even a mission editor which lets you design and fully edit your own missions directly from scratch. The range of possibilities is enormous and you could spend hours designing a really good mission and having a go at it yourself - although it's fun watching others have a go at your creations, knowing what lurks around the corner in store for them! Graphics: --------- The graphics are quite good for this type of game, they rotate to face their direction and are all nicely detailed and easily distinguishable, no complaints what-so-ever here. Sound: ------ For the type of game the sound is very good. Using samples to maximum effect - you hear the grenades exploding and the blokes screaming when they die - not particularly nice I must admit but very satisfying.. I might add this game isn't one for pacifists. Particularly satisfying is the way the rockets sound from the launcher - the rocket blasts off and continues on its path, even off screen.. a sick grin appears on your face when the screams can be heard from the enemy as the rocket rips through the terrain. Usually has the player whooping with joy! Gameplay: --------- The game is horribly addictive and oh so playable, perhaps one of the most interesting, refreshing games I've played in a long, long while. To add to the test I let a friend have a go, 5 hours later at about 2am I had to send him home.. enough said. Criticisms: ----------- The only Criticism will be from 512K users... that's right you need at least a megabyte! Ratings: -------- Graphics : 75% Effective for this type of game. Sound : 85% Very good. Gameplay : 95% Wicked fun.. provides hours and hours of play.. Overall : 92% Excellent, considering the Editor too. Comment: -------- A game I can heartily reccomend, if a game stops me from going to the pub then it must be VERY good, and it is. The game was previously available on import at a high price, now it's available for much better value and anyone with an inkling for role-playing, strategy or war/combat games must consider this as an essential purchase. Reviewed By Martyn, Newsflash UK. ========================================================================== BREACH 2 is available from : Impressions software, Riverbank House, Putney Bridge Approach, London SW6 3JD. Tel 071 371 9191. Fax 071 384 2820. ==========================================================================