Warlords (Video Game Review)

Atari is a game developer and publisher well known for bringing the dream of owning a home video game console to reality by offering up a library of great games that offered arcade quality gameplay from the comfort of your house. Games such as Pong were once the craze for every video game enthusiast, and now, the publisher is back with a new title that builds upon the concepts of the classic title. Warlords places you in control of a would be warlord who must command his troops and take down his enemies' castles while protecting his own. At your disposal is a quirky group of loyal soldiers known as Snoots. Snoots come in a infinite supply and can be commanded to build up your own defenses, attack enemy castles or to capture control points that award you with powerups that turn the tide of battle in your favor. All of this battlefield management must be performed while moving around a Pong like shield that protects your castle walls from fireballs bouncing around the battlefield. If your walls take too many hits, it's game over.

Warlords is a fun and ambitious title that offers gamers a fun time despite several noticeable flaws. The game does feature a lengthy campaign, but storyline is nearly nonexistent with only a short introductory paragraph for each stage of that debriefs your mission. However, the bread and butter of Warlords is multiplayer action, and the game does well here by offering 1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, Classic and FFA. You can play the game in solo matches or team up with a buddy in both local and online cooperative modes. The action is fast paced and offers a tough challenge even in the game's tutorial. The game's shocking difficulty is exacerbated by the game's questionable control scheme. Your castle walls extend in a semi-circle around your keep, making moving your shield around the wall awkward, especially when moving from one end of the wall to another. The poorly created tutorial doesn't do its job to teach you all about the game either, but luckily, the early campaign levels do a good job of easing you into the game's mechanics. Once you've learn how to play, Warlords is a lot of fun however.

Warlords has a fairly strong presentation with a great soundtrack perfectly complimenting the quirky characters and fantasy atmosphere. The graphics in the game are solid as well even if the color scheme and hectic nature of the game make it nearly impossible to know what is going on sometimes. Options in the game allow you to quickly change your camera view when the current view isn't ideal for the situation at hand. Audio hiccups are a bit annoying, but rarely occur inside matches at the same rate that problems occur during the loading screens and on the main menu. Warlords is a very entertaining game that gives gamers a fun title based on a classic playstyle. Grab a few of your buddies and join some multiplayer action for a night full of fun and intense gameplay. Warlords is a great party game and feels right at home on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Check out Warlords today!

Warlords is now available for PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade and can be purchased for $9.99 or 800 Microsoft Points respectively. Warlords is rated E by the ESRB for Mild Fantasy Violence. For more information on the game, check out the official Warlords website.

Game Features:

Online Multiplayer 1-4

Four Ways to Play

Customizable Tags

Online Leaderboards

Trophy/Achievement Support

Game Information:
Developer: Griptonite Games
Publisher: Atari
Platforms: PlayStation Network & Xbox LIVE Arcade (reviewed)
Release Date: October 9, 2012 for PSN & November 14, 2012 for XBLA

Score: 7 out of 10