Lately there has been a
shortage of real-time, deep-space combat games. Brought to the fore during the
heyday of classics like Homeworld, this genre has been quiet. That makes the
perfect setting for Nexus: The Jupiter Incident to explode onto the stage.
Diverse combat options, an engaging single-player campaign and the fun of
multiplayer combat make Nexus a solid choice for any fan of the genre.
Players are given a number
of options to customize the combat system to their own advantage. There are
several aspects of a ship that can be attacked. The most simplistic plan,
smashing your opponent’s ship as quickly as possible, is not always the best
plan. Players can also equip their ships with energy weapons that target the
components of an enemy vessel. Disabling an opponent’s weapons reactor, for
example, will shut down their weapon systems. It is entirely possible to disable
an enemy ship without destroying it, leaving ample opportunity for the
traditional mocking transmissions.
Support ships play a major
role in space combat in Nexus. While the larger, more heavily armed battleships
can be very useful, a couple of quick destroyers can cause them some severe
headaches. Speed is a key factor in Nexus: The Jupiter Incident, and just like
in real life the larger they are the slower they move. In addition players can
equip their ships with commando units for boarding parties and fighter
squadrons. Fighters range from the nimble and quick standard fighters to heavy
bombers used to destroy enemy components.
Even with all the options
available to players there is a high degree of balance in the game. There is no
single “win” strategy. Every configuration has a weakness. Focusing on fighters
and light destroyers, for example, leaves you open to counterattack with
artillery missiles. Mounted with massive warheads the artillery missiles can do
massive damage to anything within a huge radius. A single blast can destroy
several smaller ships or fighters outright. On the other hand, fighters are able
to use their weapons to shoot down the missiles before they detonate.
The graphical quality of
Nexus is good. Each race you can encounter has their own hull design, which
makes them easily recognizable. There are visual cues that allow a player to
follow the action even without having to swap back and forth between the ships
under their command. A common tactic is to disable an enemy’s shields as quickly
as possible and then switch to projectile weapons to damage their hull, where
the shield-draining weapons are ineffective. After a few moments, if it survives
that long, the enemy ship will restore its shields. There is a visible bubble
that appears around the ship to warn you that it is time to switch weapons
again.
The sound is also done well.
Players are treated to a series of voiced dialogue during the single-player
campaign. There are also a series of sound cues to help a player keep track of
everything during combat. Unfortunately this can be a bit much at times. The
messages play one at a time and back to back. This can lead to hearing several
messages in a row, and each successive message being farther and farther away
from the event that triggered it.
Nexus: The Jupiter Incident
is a solid game that any fan of the real-time space-combat genre will enjoy.
Less experienced players will have a bit of a learning curve to deal with, but
the rewards are worth it. The diverse options for tactics, engaging gameplay,
and entertaining setting make Nexus: The Jupiter Incident fun to play. If you
enjoy the fast-paced, high stress environment of deep space combat, grab your
gear and get ready to ship out.
Tips:
Concentrate your firepower whenever possible. Enemy ships’ shields and devices
regenerate over time… including when you are fighting them!
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Gameplay: 8.0
A solid interface and the ability to completely customize your ships make Nexus:
The Jupiter Incident a great deal of fun to play. Players have to remember to
keep an eye on all their units, though. The AI is good, but occasionally your
ships will do something stupid.
Graphics: 7.0
The graphics are well done, rendered cleanly, and don’t cause any slow-down. On
the down side they are not quite as spectacular as other games I have seen
recently. Each culture has a distinctive feel to their design, letting you
identify your enemies at a glance. The combat is fun to watch as energy beams,
projectiles, and fighter craft form a maelstrom of chaos and explosions.
Sound: 7.0
The in-game dialogue is well done. At times characters’ voices will drop with
scorn, shine with humor, or carry a wealth of meaning. The combat sounds are
also well done, but in the thick of combat it gets hard to listen for the sound
cues to let you know what is going on.
Difficulty: Med/Hard
Nexus: The Jupiter Incident has a bit of a learning curve. You not only need to
learn how to use the interface you have to learn which tactics work well for
you. In the single-player campaign the layout for each mission changes every
time you attempt it. This can lead to frustration on the occasions where you get
an unlucky starting position.
Concept: 8.0
The backstory to the single-player game is rich. The characters have depth, the
plot is engaging, and there is always something going on. For the game itself
being able to completely customize your ships, change your tactics however you
like, and fight in several different ways is a definite plus. There is always
something different for player to try in any situation.
Multiplayer: 7.5
Some of the rough spots in the gameplay are overcome in the multiplayer mode.
While players might have some time handling the chaos of deep-space combat, you
get to play on a more level playing field.
Overall:
7.5
The concept and gameplay lift Nexus: The Jupiter Incident above the average
expectations. While well done, the graphics and sound are about what you’d
expect in a game these days. There are high points, but on average the graphics
and sound are just about average. The rough learning curve makes Nexus a game I
don’t recommend to anyone new to the real-time space-strategy genre. If you’re a
fan, though, Nexus will be right up your alley.
