PC gamers from the early nineties
may remember a PC-only fighting game known as One Must Fall 2097. The game was a
great 2D fighter that put gamers in control of a gigantic mech fighting others
in interactive environments. The game gained a pretty large cult following, and
the long-awaited sequel has been highly anticipated in some circles. Now, One
Must Fall Battlegrounds is out, and the game offers a very different experience
than what you’d typically expect from a fighter. The game has a fun combo
system, interesting gameplay, and very cool multiplayer elements. While not
without its flaws, OMF: Battlegrounds is a unique fighting game that fans of the
original or anyone looking for a new fighting game experience should certainly
check out.
Battlegrounds starts you out by
first selecting not only your character, but also the robot that you control. Be
careful while selecting each, as they both affect your performance on the
playing field. You play through the single player mode in circuits, fighting
matches against one or more other fighters until you reach the main challenger
and completing a circuit will unlock new ones and so on.
The game gives you full access to
the playing field and the controls are very similar to a third person action
game. You move your character across the field and engage other enemies one at a
time. The targeting system is very handy, and will keep your robot focused on
their opponent even while evading their attacks. The controls feel a bit strange
at first. Although much of the game controls like a third person action game,
you can’t strafe your opponents nor can you do back or side attacks, so if an
enemy comes along and starts wailing on your back, all you can do is turn around
really slow and then attack them, which can be pretty frustrating in the thick
of battle. However, it does get easier to deal with this after you’ve mastered
the evade technique.
The game has a pretty cool combo
system. The main focus of the system is performing juggles, which is a technique
that knocks your opponent into the air and then allows you to knock them about
(or juggle) them before they land. Juggles are handled very well in this game,
as the robots can do some pretty impressive things with them. One robot, Chronos,
has the ability to manipulate time (a la Prince of Persia: Sands of Time) and
can knock an enemy into the air and suspend them momentarily as he opens a can
on them.
The main aspect of the gameplay that
the developers really wanted to make the best use of in Battlegrounds is the
multiplayer modes, and for the most part, they succeeded in making great use of
this. Battlegrounds is the first fighting game to support gameplay for up to 16
players, and this can be pretty intense when your in the thick of a fighting
game with 15 other people. The multiplayer modes, while a bit simplistic, are
great fun. The only problem with the multiplayer is the fact that lag has such a
detrimental effect of the overall experience, causing enemies to flop around of
the playing field if the connection breaks, interrupting combos.
The graphics in Battlegrounds are
pretty good, save a few problems. The robots are nicely rendered, casting some
impressive reflections and light and shadow effects. The special effects also
look pretty good, as do the interactive environments. The framerates can be a
bit of a problem, not moving very smoothly even on high-end PCs.
The sound effects aren’t necessarily
the game’s strong point. The Euro-techno soundtrack works for the game at some
points and sounds silly at others, and the robot contact sounds are repetitive
and don’t really invoke the sense of awe that 60 foot robots pounding on each
other should.
One Must Fall: Battlegrounds has a
few problems, but on the whole, it’s a very creative offering to the small world
of PC fighters, not to mention a pretty good multiplayer experience. Anyone
looking for a different fighter experience in the cookie-cutter world of
fighting game should give Battlegrounds a look.
Gameplay: 7.5
OMF: Battlegrounds offers a great and versatile combo system, interactive
environments, and an overall refreshing take on fighting games. However, the
controls are pretty cumbersome, and can lead to unnecessary frustration.
Graphics: 8.0
The graphics are pretty impressive. The robot models are well rendered, complete
with bump-mapped textures, reflections and other great effects, although their
animations are a tad, well, robotic. The environments look great and are pretty
rife with activity. The framerates are a bit of a problem, however, even on
high-end PCs.
Sound: 6.5
The music is Euro-techno, which both works for the game and against it at
points. The robot sounds aren’t what they should be, and don’t invoke the sense
of scale that they should.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 8.0
OMF: Battlegrounds does some pretty interesting things with the standard
fighting game system, by adding full-roam gameplay and 16-player multiplayer
support.
Multiplayer: 8.5
Easily the high point of the game, the multiplayer provides support for up to 16
players. While there are only two modes, last man standing and demolition, in
the thick of battle, these modes can be as compelling and fun as any other
multiplayer game. The only problem was lag, which can be quite interruptive to
the online experience.
Overall: 7.5
OMF: Battlegrounds is a refreshing take on fighting games. While not without its
issues, Battlegrounds is still a pretty fun game with a great online experience.
