Command & Destroy

Hoping to extend the love to new neighborhoods, DSI Games has released Command and Destroy for the dual-screened platform. Originally announced as a Game Boy Advance game, this DS exclusive is exactly what it looks and sounds like: a Command and Conquer clone.

Touch and Go

Each mission begins in darkness. The starting area is well lit, but the rest of the level is shrouded in mystery. Only by venturing into the unknown can you lighten the path – a gameplay style that was born in Command and Conquer.

Unit selection is done by tapping units individually or by dragging the stylus over the group of units you wish to select. Once selected, units move upon your command. Touch any part of the screen and they'll move in that direction; touch an enemy and they'll attack until it's dead (or until they die themselves, whichever comes first).

I'm Dying to Destroy You

In these harsh, unforgiving battlefields, players are not bound by one commander. They may choose to play as and be loyal to humans or aliens. One could be your brother, your friend; the other is a little green man from outer space. But while you may not want to destroy all humans, the alien army is very appealing. Aliens have access to four non-vehicular units: Trooper, Robojet, Tekno, and Psionic. Compared with the five humans offer, this might not sound too appealing. But Robojets are equipped with jet packs that let them travel anywhere (over ice, water, etc.) in the stage. Psionic units have the power to influence opposing forces and make them switch sides.

Aliens also have several vehicular units: Light UFO, Laser Tank, Wardog, Antigrav, Terrorpod, Probe, Mobile Bomb, Teleporter, and Mobile Base. With these under your command, you'll be able to set up new bases in any location; teleport to the enemy's location and attack; and launch a self-destruct weapon. Aliens also have three special weapons that will bring further disgust to your adversaries upon their destruction.

Having perused the alien army, you'll probably think that the human army isn't as cool or as high-tech. But can you really turn your back on your own species? Wait - don't answer that. Mankind is in enough turmoil as is without having people go extraterrestrial on us. However, if I may put on my car salesman voice: can I interest you in a 2008 BVP Tank? How about a 2009 Multiple Launcher Rocket System? As a long-ranged attacker, those are sure to fly out the door when they hit showrooms this fall. If you're a traditionalist, I've got a 2002 Apache helicopter available at an extremely low price. The mileage is good, too – the previous owner only used it to fly to church on Sundays.

Leaving so soon? Then you've got to check out our line of non-vehicular units: Guard, Stinger (equipped with a Stinger launcher), Engineer (has no weapons but may repair allied structures and capture enemy structures), Saboteur (sneak in, set explosive, boom!), and Commando.

Still no interest? Fine, you've given me no choice. I'll tell you about our super-special, top-secret weapon. Mind you, it's only for our most loyal customers. But if you make a hefty purchase, I'll throw in a Plane Bomber. This dangerous unit drops bombs on targeted areas. Oh, now you're intrigued? Come, let me show you our new line of missiles.

Aliens Are Oil Hungry Too

If you thought that aliens' advanced technology would mean they had found a superior source of energy, think again. In Command and Destroy, unit production costs money. The only way to make money is by creating the proper, oil-snatching units. Humans do this by building a refinery, which spawns one small vehicle called a Driller. Guide the Driller to the nearest oil site (indicated on screen by a large black puddle) and the game will take over from there. Drillers can't hold much oil, which means it will have to make several trips back and forth between the refinery and the oil site before the job is done. During this time both the Driller and refinery are vulnerable and should be guarded strongly.

Aliens have it a tad easier. First create a Transmitter structure, which converts oil into money (it sounds like a magical process until you look at gas prices). The Transmitter obtains oil from the Extraction Dome, which is built over an oil sight. The benefit of the dome over the driller system used by the humans is that you only have to make one trip. Oil is continually drained from sight as soon as the dome is built. It doesn't need to move or empty itself, and is less dangerous since you only have to guard the surrounding area – no escort trip is necessary.

Touch and Go Nowhere

Command and Destroy has a lot going for it: two playable species, 24 missions (12 for humans and 12 for aliens), several controllable units and a gameplay style that is rarely seen on the Nintendo DS. However, the game also has a low rating of responsiveness (not all units listen to your commands, forcing players to repeat their actions), slow unit movement, and an unclear map system.

Given how small these screens are, I wasn't expecting any monumental designs. But some clarity would have been nice. In addition to the lousy map display, which can't be fully unearthed in levels where water and other barriers prevent you from exploring past a certain area, the unit designs are much too small and too plain. You won't have to squint to see them but that's how it will feel at times. There is no zoom function and the camera can't be altered. Some things are forgivable on a handheld, but if too many things need forgiving, you have to ask yourself: was this game right for the DS?