Wrath Unleashed (Sony PlayStation 2, 2004)

I had HIGH hopes for this game. You see, I love the game Archon. It works like battle chess, just as Wrath Unleashed does. I was looking forward to an updated version of the classic, and this one was released from Lucas Arts.

Here's an overview; You choose from a variety of "armies" that consist of mythical creatures. Each of your characters have special weapons, tactics, and/or magic. You move your pieces in a top-down, chess-like, turn-based fashion, and attempt to wipe out the other players group. There's other ways you can win as well, so you can play to destroy, or put more tactics into it. You're placed on a playing grid of various landscapes. Each landscape type can help or hinder your side, adding more strategy to the game. If you start a battle with an opponent you go to the battle arena to fight.

There's lots of good things about this game. The graphics work for me, the characters you control are interesting, and their powers are fun, and as I mentioned, I love the concept. There's also lots of customization of your team and the landscapes, and a great deal of re-playability. Like chess, no two games would ever be the same.

This would've been a game that I could play for hours on end. I could have easily given this game an 8 or possibly a 9. There was one huge problem for me. The controls. Once you went into battle, the controls were unresponsive and sluggish. Making it too frustrating to attempt to fight with your regular moves, let alone trying to pull off special moves. Control is very important to me. As this game shows, despite graphics, concept, and level design, if I can't control my characters I won't be able to play it. I won't have any fun. And sadly, I didn't with this game.

I had never heard of Wrath Unleashed before I rented it and once I got through the 20 minute learning curve I was having a fantastic time. Wrath is kind of like chess except for when your pawn goes up against a rook, you will actually fight as the pawn and though it's hard, you might be able to beat the rook. The game blends fantasy with real-time action and turn-based strategy in a very unique way.

This game definitely has gone under the radar and you can probably find it used for around 10 dollars. A great deal. Also has multiplayer features and a "deck builder" like feature.

this game has a very good strategy element mixed with a mortal kombatisc type one on one battle system. great story line and follow through.the only downside to this game is the graphics. they are a little on the low pixel side.