On February 24, Greed Corp was released on XBLA, and was met with almost universal indifference. “Another hex-based strategy game?” Queried gamers? “No thanks.” It’s a shame that this attitude of indifference is well-warranted, as Greed Corp is nothing special.
The premise is this: Four factions are doing battle for a planet and its wealth of resources: The Freemen, the Pirates, the Cartel, and the Empire. While the latter three are seeking only profit, the Freemen seek to drive the invaders out and save their home planet. Unfortunately, as the invaders have superior military might, the Freemen are forced to resort to the same dastardly tactics as their enemies to drive them off – the excessive harvesting of land, slowly destroying it. You as the gamer are told this by a wall of text, followed by a tutorial that shows you how to play the game. The premise sounds engaging, but the way it
is presented is about as humdrum as you can get. But, hey. It’s a strategy game, right? So if the strategy element is well-done, the game will be fine, right? Right.
Prepare to be disappointed.
It does look pretty.
Now, I’m a big fan of strategy games. I can spot a system with strategic depth when I see it. That is not what’s happening here. Here’s the layout: You and up to three foes are placed on a grid of hexagons, with one objective: eliminate your foes. To do so, you have a ground-based attack unit (walkers) who will also convert any hex they land on to your territory, converting the land and any enemy bases into your property. You’re given some money automatically, but if you want to get the jump on your opponents (an essential tactic, I assure you) you have to build harvesters. Harvesters will bring in extra cash for every Hex surrounding them, but will slowly destroy them over time. This is the big gimmick of the game. And while it’s certainly fun for a few matches, you eventually learn that destroyed land is not that big a problem, as you can build airships to transport your walkers.
Also available are cannons, which when fired will damage targeted units and weaken the land they stand on. This all sound great, but most matches happen the same way, and it can get stale pretty quick. The campaign mode feels like the same map over and over, and multiplayer is pretty dull, too. To it’s credit, the game looks good, and the sound effects are crisp and generally pleasing, while the music sets a good contemplative tone, with 50’s-esque instrumental accompanying you. Unfortunately, this doesn’t detract from the fact that the game is boring.
I could go on and on, but the point is this: If you’re an absolute hex-based strategy game fanatic, then give it a go. If you’re a fan of strategy games in general, you’re going to find the game to be lacking in strategic depth, but it might kill an hour or two if you have friends to play with. Other than that, I can’t recommend the game too strongly to much of anyone. And I was so excited for a hex-based strategy.
[Rating: 2.5/5]
