Summary
I prefer it to the original!
The Good
I liked the turn-limit concept: it forces you to take chances, rather than sit back in each sector. They added quite a few new characters and equipment to Deadly Games. Scope and Buzz made sensational debuts in this game-- they are worth their salaries and are fun to have on your team. The financial strategy has been simplified, but it's equally important to the game-- you still need to manage your funds frugally in order to buy the right equipment or to hire the right teams.
The Bad
I don't like the graphics. They are very low-resolution, but at least they don't affect the gameplay. Some of the characters are simply annoying (Biff, Hurl, Lance, Screw...). There are negative stereotypes presented by this game and series: many of the older mercenaries are forgetful (Pops, Bernie, Moses...), the Japanese character carries a camera, the Irish arms dealer talks about alcohol often-- it adds nothing to the game.
The Bottom Line
In spite of my criticisms, this is a highly playable, challenging, frustrating (in good and bad ways), and FUN game. I'd recommend it to those who prefer a linear storyline or to people who want to play a game in definite blocks of time or to those who played Jagged Alliance, but don't want to deal with the economic management of tapping trees and hiring guards.
