Graphics and Sound

Die 2D die!

2D graphics are the wrinkles and varicose veins of aging games. Shattered Galaxy’s interface and gameplay functions entirely in the second dimension, and as has been pointed out prior, it’s not the most brilliant application of 2d graphics either. The graphics are passable, but compared to the 3D present, shown off in games like WarCraft 3 or the up and coming Command and Conquer: Generals it requires more than a mention.

The units and maps of Shattered Galaxy are decent: it seems like a massive indestructible tank as a Grizzly rolls across the ground, and the Condor is convincing in that it might orbit a Deathstar as its dayjob, but the graphics simply lack. We’ve noted that a number of the units in Shattered Galaxy have a minimal number of animations, and a limited count of frames within those, so the game looks somewhat stilted and mechanical. Some of the effects these units produce are decent: Javelineers lob grenades at their targets, leaving a stream of smoke and flame behind them. The massive Condor hangs in the sky and the whole front end of the ship illuminates as they prepare their devastating fusion storm attack, exploding nearly every aerial unit caught in its blast.

Grizzly tanks fighting back.

Champions spanking a marauder.

Enforcers smacking a group of refueling Fireflys

Shattered Galaxy touts a good 50 or more units, of different marks and makes, but visually there’s very little detail separation amongst the units. A skirmisher for example armed with a flamethrower doesn’t look any different from a skirmisher armed with an assault. The only differences are weapons effects, like a glowing laser beam or streaking missile. Moreover, the units don’t represent damage visually on the unit with pock marks or broken armor. Nor are units shared among different factions all that different. A Skirmisher hailing from Priston will have blue shoulder pads, while a Skirmisher from Argus will have purple shoulder pads.

Though the battle visuals are passable, the interface, new to 1.5, is very impressive. Visit a workshop to repair or purchase new units and you’ll see a scaling view of all your units like chess pieces, with a worker in the corner guiding you through. Change perspectives in the lab from equipping a unit to upgrading its type and you’ll see a smooth transition from one beautiful scene to another as the laboratory changes before your very eyes. Click on a unit and it brings that unit up, then click on a part of that unit and you can see its individual slots, engine, weapon, armor and more. You can then click on that inventory slot and see what is available; click on a potential new engine and you’ll see your resulting weight, space and complexity.

Firefly's killing some sappers.

Oizys's in the snow.

Aerial engagement

The same is true of the map overlooking the master view of the battle. In an intuitive interface Shattered Galaxy maps out every territory players are in, showing if a fight is taking place, if it’s full or closed, as well as Overlord commands such as what units to bring, which province portal to enter from and so forth. All in all, the master interface is quite intuitive, with a legend in the corner, as well as popup tooltips that break down what each symbol and color may mean.

What is the sound of thousands of men dying?

The sounds in Shattered Galaxy are just downright poor. Infantry units all make the same sounds as they walk, tanks make no sound as they move, airplanes make no sound as they cut through the air, huge battle-cruisers that look like they could deafen you from miles away make no sound. In fact, there’s a good 20 or so battle sounds it seems like, and you’ll be hearing them constantly, the sounds that are there are plain, with the rare exception of the Fusion Storm or Nuke attacks to break the monotony a bit.

There are several sounds that just aren’t there that should be. The classic RTS sound event of “We’re under attack!” is nowhere to be found, there is no sound event when reinforcements arrive on either side (though there is usually a visual indication), nor is there a sound when a unit is out
of energy/ammo etc.

The music for Shattered Galaxy is decent, quiet enough not to stir you away from the action but pleasing to the ear when it does catch your attention. The music is sweeping, but tragic as well, appropriate given a war torn future. While the soundtrack to Shattered Galaxy is acceptable, it’s nothing you’ll think about when you think of the game, nor will it be something you listen to in your off time.

I have no idea what this guy is talking about.

The fleet defends a POC.

Mantises descending on footmen

This isn’t sounding good

If you got the chance to read our UT2k3 review you got to read Jakub’s ominous words midway through the review: “That, ladies and gentlemen, is all that we have to say about UT2K3 that’s complimentary.” ( Rory doesn’t know what he’s getting into by opening up that can of worms. Take it easy on him, he’s new. -ed.)

We’re put in a similar dilemma in this situation, but the opposite. Once you can move past dated graphics and a minimal attention to sound, Shattered Galaxy is simply unparalleled on a gameplay level. There is simply nothing like it available on the market, and while we may have a few more gripes remaining, the rest of the review accounts how incredible this game still is. What’s more, it is all too easy to forget the graphics, sound and outside world once you get a hang of the game.