Kombo : : : PS3 | 360 | Wii | Cube | Xbox | PSP | DS | Forums | Podcasts

AROUND KOMBO:
BLOG
My Xbox is Sexy
Kill Screen #7
REVIEW
MAG Review
Massive, action-packed shooter experience.
Warhammer: Battle March
Console
Xbox 360
Publisher
Namco Bandai
Genre
Real-Time Strategy
Developer
Games Workshop
Release Date
07/02/08
6
ESRB Rating
Mature
StumbleUpon Toolbar  
Posted by:
Ryan Olsen
Reviews Director
REVIEW
Warhammer: Battle March
Read the review, slowly.
October 8, 2008 | 8:21 PM PST

Kombo's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.

What the Game's About
Warhammer: Battle March is a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game set in the Warhammer universe. The original pen and paper RPG game has evolved a lot from its roots and taken a life in the video game realm. The fantasy setting resembles that of Lord of the Rings with heavy medieval influence. This RTS effort ditches the excessive resource collection and goes for a more streamlined approach to waging a grand-scale war.

What's Hot
Because Battle March leaves collecting resources by the wayside, the focus is squarely on how to plan a battle. Instead of allocating how much material you need to build an army, the process is simplified to massing an army before going into battle and picking the right type of units. Taking time to pre-plan saves a lot of time having to grow technology trees to get the right units you want. This method has you building your stats between the action rather than taking time out of the main game to do that each battle. It works to Battle March's benefit as it eliminates finger twisting controls and is easier to pick up and enjoy. In the place of resources are RPG like potions and weapons you need to equip and use in the middle of the action.

Leading the charge of battle units are heroes and champions. Otherwise known as one-man wrecking machines, they lead units into battle. It gives a face to what could have been faceless hordes of warriors. In total, there are over 100 unit types (including heroes/champions) to draw from and finding the right combination is vital to winning. The nice part is you can pick your side. Choose from the Empire, Chaos or Orcs and Goblins factions and go down different campaign paths. There are some surprises, like duel battles that take place between only two hero or champion unit that mixes up the predictability.



What's Not
There is a danger when games make the jump from pen and paper to video games. Where the almighty pen relies on telling versus showing, video games should show rather than tell. There is plenty of story in Battle March but it isn't very interesting. There isn't a sense there is an enduring war or a compelling reason to fight. If you imagine your units hustling around the battlefield, you are in for a shock. They walk slowly and dull the clashing of forces when it could have been thrilling. Don't be surprised if you think the overall game is boring.

After the main cut-scene, the graphics are muddy and bleed together. The dark browns and greens don't contrast well and the text is small, even on an HDTV. In game, the units look fairly detailed but the camera doesn't zoom in far enough to differentiate the types of units you select. So instead of sending in men with swords, you could have very well sent a team of gunners on accident. For a game where managing units is critical, the ball was dropped when the graphics all look the same.

Final Word
There is a lot of buzz about Warhammer right now and the RTS could ride the coattails of the MMO game but Battle March is an ok game in its own right. What works is that there isn't any resource collecting and you are free to pursue your warpath just don't expect to get pulled in by the rather sleepy story.

Visuals
Few acceptable spots are eclipsed by the muddy appearance.
4.5
Sound
The heroes repeat their battle cries far too often but ambient noises are pleasant.
6.0
Control
The streamlined control system makes Battle March standout.
7.5
Gameplay
The boring story spills over and spoils the battles that move slowly.
5.0
Lasting Appeal
There are three factions to play through, which is nice for lasting appeal.
6.5
Verdict
Battle March is an okay game that needed to have some snappier writing and a faster pace.
6.0
[not an average]
Review Scores Guide
Screenshot Gallery

September 2, 2008

September 2, 2008

September 2, 2008

September 2, 2008

Got something that we should post on the site? Send it to us!
February 8, 2010
Twenty more winners to go for our Game a Day Giveaway! Don't hesitate... enter today! Also, make sure you become a fan of Kombo on Facebook!!!

-- Ken Cauley, Editor in Chief

Kombo Breaker
FTW
Kombo's Game a Day Giveaway!
We're giving away a new game EVERYDAY throughout all of February!

Official Contest Page!

WINNERS:

  • February 2: John Riemer, Virgina
  • February 3: Jonathan Dowell, Pennsylvania
  • February 4: Chris Ryan, Florida
  • February 5: Chris Foster, Michigan
  • February 6: Adam Cuevas, Florida
  • February 7: Josh Minar, Kentucky
  • February 8: Bradley Mosbacher, Missouri
  • If SEGA made Shenmue 3, would it SELL?
    Vote!
    (02/09/10 | 5:56 AM PST)
    HDTV vs. SNES
    (02/08/10 | 12:03 PM PST)
    Console Wars "A Bit Silly," Says 2K Marin
    DiRT 2!!!
  • DiRT 2 for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3
    Enter to win!
    E-mail us and include your full name, age and mailing address to enter.

  • Software
    Hardware
    All Time
    Weekly
    9.89m Japan
    31.48m America
    25.90m Others
    67.28M 
    1.25m Japan
    21.76m America
    14.63m Others
    37.64M 
    4.74m Japan
    12.71m America
    14.31m Others
    31.76M 
    29.79m Japan
    44.83m America
    50.20m Others
    124.81M 
    14.02m Japan
    18.98m America
    20.85m Others
    53.85M