Friday, 11 Oct 2024

A Fresh Take on Army Corps of Hell Review

We all know the legendary games created by Shigeru Miyamoto, like Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong. But let’s not overlook the fantastic Pikmin games. These charming titles introduced a unique gameplay mechanic that has rarely been replicated. While the concept of commanding minions to fight your battles has been somewhat forgotten since Pikmin, it resurfaces in an unexpected Vita launch title called Army Corps of Hell. This game takes inspiration from the Pikmin series, removes the puzzle elements, and injects a heavy dose of metal-themed imagery and music. At first, it’s a fun and amusing experience, but it quickly becomes repetitive due to a lack of variety.

A Demonic Warlord’s Journey

In Army Corps of Hell, you assume the role of a demonic warlord. The core gameplay revolves around directing various small goblins to attack your enemies. You have soldiers that can be thrown onto foes’ backs, spearmen that dash forward to reach distant enemies, and mages that shoot projectiles at elemental foes. Each stage consists of battling from one small island to another, defeating waves of demons and monsters. Unfortunately, this is where the game falls short. While there are occasional clever boss fights, they are often repeated, and the introduction of new enemies isn’t sufficient to prevent the stages from feeling like a repetitive grind similar to the Dynasty Warriors series.

Missed Opportunities in Gameplay

Despite being a launch title for a system with unique hardware capabilities, Army Corps of Hell fails to take advantage of most of them. Visually, it could easily pass as a PSP game, and the controls are simplistic (the right analog stick is used, but turning could have been accomplished with the PSP shoulder buttons). The inclusion of a drumming feature where you tap the rear touchpad to regain health feels forced and unnecessary. It’s a missed opportunity to showcase the innovative features of the Vita.

Lack of Story, but a Hint of Progression

One of the game’s letdowns is the absence of a compelling story. Aside from brief repeated cutscenes between stages, there isn’t much narrative to keep you engaged. The initial upgrades, such as acquiring more goblins and unlocking new goblin types, are enticing. Additionally, the alchemy system adds a layer of progression. By harvesting the bodies of fallen enemies, you can craft new armor and weapons for your goblins. It’s satisfying to empower your minions, but the stat upgrades do little to alleviate the monotony of the core gameplay.

Conclusion: A Promising Start that Fizzles Out

Army Corps of Hell starts strong and holds promise, but it ultimately falls short of delivering a truly captivating experience. While the initial stages are enjoyable, it quickly becomes apparent that there isn’t enough substance to sustain interest. Even the option to play with friends via ad-hoc mode does little to alleviate the repetitiveness of the game. Army Corps of Hell is a missed opportunity to create a memorable and varied gaming experience.

FAQs

Q: Can I play Army Corps of Hell solo?
A: Yes, the game can be played solo. While ad-hoc multiplayer is available, it doesn’t significantly impact the core gameplay.

Q: Are there any unique features that make Army Corps of Hell stand out?
A: Unfortunately, Army Corps of Hell fails to take advantage of the unique hardware capabilities of the Vita. The game’s visuals and controls feel more suited for the PSP.

Q: How does the alchemy system work in the game?
A: The alchemy system allows you to build new armor and weapons for your goblins by harvesting the bodies of fallen enemies. Upgrading your minions adds a progression element to the game.

Q: Does Army Corps of Hell have a compelling story?
A: Unfortunately, the game lacks a substantial narrative. Aside from brief cutscenes between stages, there isn’t much story to keep players engaged.