After playing Battlestations: Midway for about 3-4 hours last night I found myself having a blast. The controls have a bit of a learning curve but once you figure out that the right bumper gets you access to build your planes and ships then the game becomes a little more interactive.

In the demo you can choose to play as either the Japanese or the Americans and there are pros and cons to each position. The Americans have a strong aerial presence but there planes are launched from aircraft carriers and if the enemy sends battleships directly to your carrier they can easily take out your ability to build planes. Although, they are somewhat maneuverable and can be strategically moved behind friendly ships to protect them. The key to the Japanese success is there powerful naval presence. They seem to have superior firepower when it comes to fighting other ships.

The game gets really interesting and easier when you have a full room because each member can choose to control one airbase and focus on the air fight, or one shipyard and focus on the seas. The real strategic element comes into play when you start giving units only you can make to your allies; giving you the ability to control more planes and ships then one person alone could control due to restrictions.

Gameplay aside the graphics are perfect for the game and they completely immerse the player in all the chaos of battle, and since you will spend plenty of time just heading toward the enemy, especially if you are controlling only ships, then you will have plenty of time to marvel in all the detail.

Either way Battlestations: Midway is a great game to sit down with when you have some free time to play with friends. It is a very sociable game and once you figure out the controls will be hard put to lay the game down.

It is a great game that is sure to satisfy many RTS fans out there, but some might think the action moves a little to slow for there taste as you will spend most of your time trying to outmaneuver or simply overwhelm the enemy so you can get to, and destroy there bases.

Gameplay-9

Graphics-10

Interface-6

…….pending more rating options………..

I give the Battlestations: Midway demo a 9/10 because it is a little slow for my taste and has a substantial learning curve but is still a fantastic, well developed, and beautiful looking game.

-Hoosierdaddy812-