|
|
Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops
|
|
|
|
|
|
Graphics & Sound:
Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops is a lot of fun, but only in small doses. For all the content and charm the game packs into its tiny download, the game can’t escape the dull pull of repetition.
There’s a lot to like about the game’s visuals. Tiny Troopers is in no way a showcase piece for any of the three systems it is available on (cross-buy for PS4, PS3, and Vita), but for the price, it doesn’t look bad either. Most environments, as well as the troops, are made up of simple shapes without a lot of detail. There’s lots of room for visual upgrades – particularly on the PS4 version – but I’m not sure if I’d want them since they would distract from an otherwise nice looking game. I actually appreciated the bright colors and simple environments, particularly at a time when it seems some games are on a quest to discover how much darker colors can get without turning black.
Audio is on par with the visuals. Nothing really stands out, but at the same time, nothing stands out in a bad way either. As is the case with most of the presentation, they’re simple but effective.
|
|
|
Gameplay:
Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops is split into two large campaigns containing roughly 60 missions to guide your small squad through. The overall concept is incredibly simple and doesn’t require much to jump into right away.
You begin by choosing from a small list of soldiers. From there, you are tasked with completing missions. Some charge you with escorting some VIP to a certain location, while others are simply search and destroy missions. The length of each mission varies; some can last a couple of minutes while others, mostly in the first parts of each campaign, are over in under a minute. Some of the shorter missions are disappointing, though I also would be complaining if they were artificially extended – so there’s no easy answer.
Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops is stuffed with missions. If you like content, this is the game for you. The problem – which is actually the biggest thing going against the game as a whole – is there isn’t enough variety to sustain the game over 60 levels. Although I have a mixed opinion on the length of some missions, I can say I would have had just as much, if not more, fun had a couple of levels been eliminated. Zombie Missions and Spec Ops missions, both of which are tangentially related to the main campaigns, are a saving grace and a lot of fun. They’re also a few of these, illustrating that even though you can have all the desserts, you don’t need to eat all the desserts.
During missions, you’ll pick up other soldiers for your squad based on your current objective. As you make your way through each level, you’ll collect intelligence and Dog Tags, which allow you to call in for supply drops or other perks. You can also spend accumulated currency on upgrades for your troops, such as skill boosts (like speed) or new uniforms if you’re a fashion-conscious soldier.
|
|
|
Difficulty:
Most of the difficulties encountered in Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops aren’t necessarily related to its difficultly level. Each mission has three difficulty levels, each offering a slightly more difficult experience. The game is enjoyable on any setting, but the jump between the three isn’t huge. In fact, you’re encouraged to try harder difficulty levels since difficulty (as well as speed and score) are factored into post-mission rewards, such as all-important medals.
The only things that might keep players away from trying higher difficulty settings are troop movement and aiming, both of which can be finicky. Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops uses a dual-stick shooting setup where your troops shoot and move as a group based on your stick movements. In open areas there are few issues, but in smaller areas, it isn’t uncommon for a unit to get stuck on something in the environment or, worse, wander into mines unintentionally. The problem is infrequent, but happens enough to be annoying.
The same goes for shooting. Even when trying to minimize collateral damage, be prepared for some anyway. Shots will randomly hit targets you don’t want them to, losing you valuable points in the process. Special ordnance, like rockets, are a different issue entirely. Rather than targeting the ground, the reticule shows up as an overlay on the screen. As a result, it can be hard to target specific objects.
Sadly, there’s little you can do about either. |
|
|
Game Mechanics:
Medals are another important battlefield spoil. As troops make it through missions they gain levels, increasing their survivability in later missions. Once a soldier falls in battle, they are lost unless you have a medal handy for a quick revival. As simple a mechanic as the medals and levels are, I like the sense of attachment the two create with the small squad. Losing a squad member, particularly one that’s been with you for a while is tough.
As you may have guessed, this doesn’t couple well with your squad members' tendency to wander, but I just came to accept it as a Darwinian thing. You only have so many medals, so there’s a slight bit of forethought required when deciding who is worth keeping around and when to pull in a fresh rookie.
Since Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops started its life as a mobile title, I was worried with how it would control. Thankfully, any concerns I had were quickly eliminated. I can’t say anything about the Vita version, but the slick, dual-stick setup works great on either the PS3 or PS4.
Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops is a fun game and a pretty good value for the price. For better or worse, there’s a lot of game here and one purchase gives you lots of ways to enjoy it thanks to cross-buy support between the PS3, PS4, and Vita. Though Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops isn’t something you’ll play for long stretches of time, the short mission lengths (and multiple difficulty levels) make it perfect for times when you have a few minutes and want to play a game. |
|
|
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker |
|
Related Links:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
