"There really isn't any other franchise like Battalion Wars. The blend of in-the-trenches action-shooter and real-time strategy genres creates an unarguably fresh experience. Battalion Wars 2 builds on what it's predecessor began by telling a more intricate story and adding new vehicles to diversify gameplay. At times the story feels to intricate-spanning 200 years and featuring six armies, you can often lose track of who the good guys are. The campy, almost nonchalant view of war is also disarming, to say the least. But the plot does a great job of incorporating new strategic elements at a smooth pace-for at least the first half of the game, each new mission weaves in a new military unit (subs are really fun to navigate) or a new type of objective (such as protect the base, rescue the prisoners). With so much to take in, the difficulty level from mission to mission can be a little erratic, however. The series transition to the Wii has produced mixed results. One thing is for sure: the developers have been able to get more graphically from the system-better explosions, nice-looking water effects, and well-drawn cinematic sequences add a luster the GCN game lacked. Control-wise the use of the pointer has made targeting the enemy much easier-if you can see it, you can destroy it. The pointer is accurate and quick, but a limiting camera prevents you from being able to look overhead, meaning planes can strafe you but you can't target them back. Gesture-based controls work to varied effectiveness, as well-jostling the nunchuck to make infantry dodge attacks works fine, but tilting the remote to adjust the elevation when you're piloting a plane feels stiff and slow. The online multiplayer modes vis Wi-Fi Connection come in three flavors: Assault mode and Co-Op mode are quick and entertaining, but the more-prolonged battles of Skirmish mode are more likely to hold people's attention."
