Active Reviews

Written by Edward Hankins

“Domination” is one of the most dynamic and addictive strategy games to hit the PC in quite awhile. “Domination” is a 3D turn-based strategy game allowing the player to take command of their armies and wage an all out war for global supremacy. “Domination” features the renewed conflict between Free Nations United and the Phantom Leagues. In “Domination” battles rage across eight different planets; in the sea, in the air, and on the ground. Your armies must do battle across a plethora of environments.

Domination has all same characteristics of the original, plus a variety of new units, landscapes, and vastly improved gameplay options. Included in the game are two huge campaigns, guaranteeing over 200 hours of gameplay, 20 new non-linear scenarios, all new combat units, state of the art artificial intelligence, and LAN and Internet multi-player options.

“Domination” is in many ways similar to your typical turn-based strategy games, but with a few noticeable differences. As in all turn-based strategy games some aspects of the game can become difficult at times, because of this there are several tutorials and a user-friendly interface makes it easy to see where your units can move and how far they can shoot. If you forget to employ a unit, the game will offer a friendly reminder. You can even undo moves, bringing destroyed units back to life to try a different tactic.

There is more to this game than seeking out and destroying the enemy. As you occupy various maps you have more to consider than just attacking the enemy. Each map has hidden areas that belong to each side, but the map is also dotted with neutral territories and secret allies. Secret allies are a valuable asset in any military campaign and can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Using your allies you spring major surprises can dramatically alter how battles play out on each map. In addition to allies there are guerilla forces and territorial revenue streams that can suddenly run dry. These options make “Domination” more than just a simple war strategy game; strategy becomes involved in every decision.

The game’s offline play is incredible all to often on-line games totally ignore the off-line play. “Domination” rather embraces it, giving the player dozens of campaigns and a career mode option, where after each victory you gain experience points and unlock new features. In addition to career mode you can choose from scenarios and campaign modes. Typical missions usually involve a “search and destroy” of the enemy forces, but there are several specialized missions such as: capture a key military compound or hold out against an overwhelming enemy force for a certain number of turns. Each mission presents a different challenge and is sure to keep the gamer busy for quite awhile.

The first thing one notices when playing “Domination” is the incredible graphics, it is obvious that much time and detail went into the level production. The graphics are crisp and clean and with very little load times allowing you to get to the action immediately. The 3D graphics allow you to zoom and look at the action from almost any angle and the games “Fancy Cameras” allow you to zoom in on specific areas to check on troop reinforcements, troop movements, and to be sure an enemy has been destroyed. In addition to the combat the environmental graphics are simply amazing. Rocks, trees, and hills dominate the landscape but are not obtrusive, rather they blend in seamlessly. The same amount of detail has been put into the urban environments.

The sound effects and audio though could be a little better. The explosions though realistic are often repeated and after time can become tedious. Though the worst aspect of the audio is the voice acting, the “robot” voice at first is mildly entertaining, but quickly becomes annoying.

Last but not least is the online play of the game, what many people will consider its finest selling point. One of the coolest options is the email play. A player can register an email account with wargaming.net and play a game against someone and submit your moves via email, they will respond by email with their moves. Of course there is regular online play on both a LAN and their dedicated server. To play on their dedicated server it will cost $6.95. Now this may seem expensive, it is a pretty good deal if turn-based strategy games are your forte, as you can not find a better online strategy game than this.

Overall “Domination” from Dreamcatcher games is on of the few turn-based strategy games that really captures the dramatic feel of world domination. It accurately portrays battles and with all of its options it is sure to keep a gamer busy for weeks. This game is a definite buy.

Go back to the Domination page.

Screenshots