The future looks grim for humans unless you've got what it takes to save the world. In Future Tactics: The Uprising you can lead your team of rag-tag human survivors against the multi-dimensional creature overlords who have taken over Earth. Game focuses on action, not stats, and the terrain is reformed as you attack blasting holes in walls, making craters out of meadows and sending boulders flying like toys. Customizable 2-player battle mode lets you modify handicaps, power-ups and victory conditions. Or play 19-level story mode and earn points to upgrade to more powerful weapons.
Review
Future Tactics started out on a good note with me at first because it reminded of two games that I enjoy: Worms and Final Fantasy Tactics. It was also refreshing to see a game trying new things, mixing turn-based strategy with platforming elements and massively destructible environments. Unfortunately, things went sour quickly when it became clear that none of these innovative features came together well, resulting in a smoking wreck of ideas that should have been fun.
The game's premise is pretty basic: a small group of good guys fight off an overwhelming alien force. Despite the simple setup, Future Tactics is surprisingly difficult, but not in that good "this game is challenging my strategic combat skills" kind of way. The monsters are overpowered, can communicate telepathically (which means if one sees you, they all do), and often respawn once they are destroyed. On the other hand, your characters are few, weak, and the death of a single one can mean game over. The result is numerous frustrating losses rooted in poor game balance rather than tactics.
Don't expect these problems to be lessened at all depending on which version you play; there are essentially no differences among the three. Even though the Xbox version is Xbox Live aware, there are no features that allow you to play against friends online. This means that Future Tactics is an identically mundane experience across the board. However, it does have a tempting $20 price tag, so if you really enjoy turn-based strategy and want to see an interesting new take on the genre, this could be worth a look.
Concept: Turn-based strategy meets generic 3D action
Graphics: They are either overly stylized, or just plain bad. The character models are pretty cool, though
Sound: The thick British accents add some character to an otherwise unremarkable soundtrack
Playability: There is no way to tell when you're entering an enemy's line of sight, leading to a lot of trial and error
Entertainment: Despite its cartoony presentation, it is really too frustrating to enjoy
Replay: Low
Rated: 5.25 out of 10 Editor: Joe Juba Issue: June 2004
2nd Opinion: As much as I enjoy turn-based strategy games, I really couldn't find anything to like about Future Tactics. The aiming system was conceptually interesting, but adjusting the floating reticle quickly grew so tiring that I stopped going for perfect shots, and was left with a wholly unappealing gaming mess. The graphics can only be described as awful, missions are boring, and combat ranges from dull to frustrating. The enemy AI is terrible, as is the fact that losing one unit can end the game. Other than the price, Future Tactics has nothing to offer.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2006
This game is not as bad as the other 2 reviews make it out to be. As far as turn based games go on Xbox, I think theres this and that dai saiku game and thats it. This game features destructable environments, weapon unlocks, and while attacking with say a rifle it switches to a first person perspective so the amount of damage is based on how well you aim. It really is an inventive game, dont judge this game by its graphics thats like judging a book by its cover. And as the title states play this game with a friend and it will be a much more enjoyable experience.
I know calling a game garbage is pretty severe, but you have to understand Future Tactics Uprising is really bad. There was no reason to release this game.
You have hardly no options at all during strategy battles, and the graphics are pretty bad and blocky. Not what you'd expect from the Xbox.
I hope you don't buy this game. You'd be better off without it.
