The games graphics have been bolstered over previous offerings thanks to a richer 3d-world, enhanced by genuine 3d units and scenery, which add to the detail and creativity the artists have used in generating the new units and weapons which appear in the game. The visuals are certainly one of the games strongest points…

Which brings me on to the artificial intelligence of the player’s units and enemy intelligence. It’s, how can I say, average? Whilst improvements have ‘apparently’ been made over the original, it’s rather difficult to judge whether things have moved on or not - the AI behaving rather strangely from time-to-time. It doesn’t make the enemy units any easier however, as the game can be almost too hard from time to time; a very tactical approach to battle being essential to progress through the game. Unit AI also improves as kill-numbers increase, making for missions that carry momentum depending on which side is most successful.

Sound and music? It’s good, what more can I say - the units aren’t too infuriating with their responses to commands, and the is impressive too. Which brings me on to multiplayer; a very important element in the success of the previous two games in the series. It’s got all the usually options in there, and once a few wider in the game are fixed with the promised imminent patch, then this should make for an engaging and violent action-packed experience.

To conclude then, Mumbo Jumbo have done a pretty good job in taking the helm of the series from Bungie; especially given the rumoured time-scale the game was developed to. This does not erase the fact that this game does not innovate one iota in the series however, though fans will still savour the plot and familiar world. Fast and fun, but no revolution.

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By Luke Guttridge