Battleship Review

Game Reviewed: Battleship

Release Date: May 15th, 2012

Developer: Double Helix

Publisher: Activision

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360], PlayStation 3

Genre: First Person Action, Strategy

Rated: T for Teen

Battleship is here, but this isn’t that Family Game Night version you may be thinking of. Based on the theatre release starring the R&B singer Rihanna, Battleship brings the aliens to your front  door. It’s up to you to defend mankind.

Battleship for XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3 was developed Double Helix Games who are known for developing Silent Hill: Homecoming, G.I. Joe Rise of the Cobra and the recent Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters. The Wii version of Battleship was worked on by Magic Pockets, French group known more for handheld titles like Imagine Teacher, Popeye- Rush for Spinach and F1 2002.

The main menu throws you directly into the game. I say this because that quite all you can do in Battleship. No multiplayer, or special options to choose from. Granted you have an extra s tab which reveals vessels, character files and an art gallery. I saved for last in the option the Video Files. There are 2 videos to choose from, already unlocked. The Movie trailer and U.S. Navy Footage. While I wholeheartedly respect the Navy footage and the educational message behind, I don’t think much thought process was put into the development of other options.

One other side note that sticks out is the similar background from the main menu. Before even pressing New Game, Bulletstorm immediately came to mind. However, I can assure you, this is no Bulletstorm.

You start off as Cole Mathis, shortly after the creatures land in deep in the water. You start off doing some simple EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) work, diffusing bombs, when all of sudden your group is attacked. Alien soldiers are dropping and swarming all around you. You have a choice between your pistol, a carbine or a shotgun, while also having the option of taking their weapons and fighting fire with fire.

Your left bumper controls Battle Com, allowing you to control the vessels deep in the water. Killing certain aliens presented “wildcards” which could allow you to take full control over your vessel for a limited amount of time. Pin pointing where to attack and stepping back into the on land fight felt bland and the player on the short end of the stick wanting to dive deeper into the Real Time Strategy.

Overall gameplay never does its job of impressing the player. Battleship does an ok job with the First Person Shooter aspect of the game, the rest is literally mediocre. Graphics were a bit choppy, specifically during cutscenes. Physics were not in place as vessels went through rocks and bodies would fall to the ground and limbs under the dirt itself.  Then, the use of battle com, quite depressing and rather long on with loading the device.

Audio overall is a mixed bag. So many characters sound exactly the same and most times don’t tend to fit the character or conversation. While on the other hand, the score tends to follow gameplay.

I’m not even sure if the devs after a while took Battleship seriously.  Looking over credits, the team found time to give special thanks to “Belly, Wingstop Wedensdays, LOL.”  Really?  Battleship felt more like a PSN or Arcade title. Renting should be your only decision. This Battleship Sunk!

The Scores

Gameplay: 2/5

Visuals: 2.5/5

Audio: 2/5

Controls: 3.5/5

Value: 2/5

Overall Rating: 2/5