Uprising: Join or Die

The Good
The most likeable part of Uprising is its novelty - the mix between first person action and real time strategy. It's been a long time since I last played it and judging by the feedback it has received its a fairly obscure game as well, but I can distinctly recollect that it was one of the most fun games I had played, and I've played a lot.

You command a tank (called a wraith) with which you have to conquer a series of planets. These planets are 3Dish worlds with hills, lakes, lava rivers and the most important feature: Citadels.

Citadels are sites where the player can build bases. If i remember correctly, a citadel consisted of one main building, the Citadel Tower, and 2-4 other buildings which you could customize. The player could also purchase three defensive structures.

The other buildings one could build are tank factories, infantry barracks, power (resource) buildings, fighter plane factories, bomber platforms and "K-sat" buildings (killer satellite, bit like C&C's Ion Cannon)

After you've set up your base you cruise around in your Wraith ransacking opponent citadels. The RTS element comes into play when you call in reinforcements from your buildings. These are teleported directly onto the battlefield at the spot your targeting reticle is pointing at. The units then proceed to tear the opponents asunder.

Another thing that makes games last is the ability to upgrade/improve your stuff. Each mission in Uprising grants you cash with which you can purchase upgrades. These upgrades range from improving the basic laser guns of your wraith to buying all kinds of fancy missile weapons, to upgrading the strength of your tanks and infantry, and even the guns of your citadel.

The campaign is non-linear - you can choose between 2-3 planets to attack each time. The more cash you get for conquering them, the harder the level. Thus, you can choose to dwell among the 'lower level' planets and slowly build up your upgrades, or you can attempt a difficult planet straight away, and if you manage to pull it off, you enjoy a fat wad of cash.

The Bad
To me all the elements - graphics, sound, gameplay - ranged from normal to excellent. Apparently for the time the graphics were amazing, though. In the end the gameplay was all that mattered to me, which was superb.

If I have to add an element of critique it would be the total lack of background story. Sure, you're rebels and you have to defeat the evil empire, but that's all the plot you'll get. There are no characters in the game, no-one is giving you missions or telling you what to do. After the tutorial, you're basically on your own and it becomes a sort of planet hopping reminiscent to that of the conquest mode of Star Wars Battlefront II.

The Bottom Line
This game is simply incredibly awesome. If you're a narrative freak, avoid it, but if you're in it for the gameplay you can even play it now, in 2005, and probably beyond. The game is incredibly challenging - if you're not somewhat nimble regarding first person shooters or somewhat experienced in attacking/defending bases etc, you will have a very hard time finishing the game. Regardless, the harder the game, the more satisfying the victory. Buy it, download it, whatever. As long as you play it! This game does NOT deserve it's current status of obscurity.