Helldodaro, PC (11/5/09) - Games Reviews at ChrisOnline.biz

It never ceases to amaze how the simple ideas evolve in gaming.

Lost Vikings back in the mid 90s was a pioneer of strategy games, so much so, it was one of the first of its kind to sell well on the consoles, in what was previously thought an untouchable demographic for the genre. The same can be said of earlier strategy relative Cannon Fodder – making its name on the familiar Amiga before branching out into 16 bit console versions. Helldorado, the true sequel to the Desperados franchise, takes a lot of its core from these two legendary titles.

Desperados is a well-loved specialist strategy series that has been bringing all the glitz, glamour and intrigue of the Wild West to PC screens worldwide. Since its split with Atari (who own the rights), the game is now back in the hands of original developers Spellbound and under the new alias, Helldorado certainly delivers a cinematic Western feel. Instantly upon initial load there is a movie-style reel playing off amongst the ambience that wouldn’t be out of place at the OK Corral.

Set in Santa Fe in 1883, the game pits you in charge of a number of heroes (six in total), each of which, have special

Released - 1/7/07

Developer - Spellbound

Publisher - Viva Media

Genre - Western, strategy

Helldorado’s official website

abilities. John Cooper is your John Wayne of the party - an old-school hard-as-nails spurs-wearing badass of the West. He packs a Colt (gun) and throwing knives, as well as a musical watch to lure opponents. Kate O’Hara, the buxom eye candy, can tie enemies up and seduce

male foes before slyly administering a fatal blow. Hawkeye is the Native American soldier armed with a tomahawk and bow and arrow. The key to the game (like the Lost Vikings) is using every character to their strengths to gradually progress and also like our intergalactic friends, if one dies, you all fail.

Thankfully Spellbound have included a tutorial. This short simulation should be the novice gamers’ first stop and explains the importance of stealth, as well as teaching you some vital tricks of the trade. The stunning top-down Wild West 3D world is recreated with an obvious admiration. Everything you could wish for from abandoned train tracks, wagons, cacti, run-down saloons and swinging doors. One might feel the need to start chewing some tobacco and investing in a spittoon after a few moments alone with this.

Strategy is the name of the game here and whilst you can emulate your Hollywood heroes by storming in with all guns blazing, some careful planning and neat moves can save you a lot of bullets and subsequently a whole lot of loading. Indicators give you an anacronym of modern-day infra-red views over this historic setting. This enables you to plan your raids with the enemy’s sightline and you can even nose in on conversations if you get close enough – a neat touch. Sound as such can be a valuable tool with Cooper’s musical watch having an adjustable pitch setting, so you can choose who hears what.

It’s understandable having the tutorial for new players and the missions for the experienced Desperados player. Controls are spot on too once you know them (these of course can be redefined, but by default they’re quite logical) and easy to grasp. The cut scenes that accompany the main game are graphically stunning, you almost feel like you’re in a Wild West motion picture, which is also where the ambience excels too. The characters all have their own individual personalities and

faithfully-recreated voices. Spellbound are also boasting over 60 different enemies, though they all seem to follow the same AI patterns.

In terms of gameplay, for the keen strategist, it’s very enticing. The more of a control freak you are, the more success you’re likely to have, for this is a game that rewards in-depth planning. Like the best games, there are multiple methods of skinning the proverbial cat. There is also a graphically impressive 1st Person Mode, though it isn’t particularly useful in the grand scheme of things and should be used to perform specifically challenging tasks. It is not dissimilar to the one in strategy classic, Dungeon Keeper.

With any detailed strategy game, as Hannibal from ‘The ‘A’ Team’ so rightly put it, there’s a certain satisfaction when a plan comes together and Helldorado certainly gives you a sense of reward after many moments of intense pondering. Fans of the Wild West or admirers of the era will also coo at its authenticity, stunning visuals and scavenger missions – and so they should, clearly a lot of work has gone into the title.

Whilst it’s fair to say that the game relies heavily on stealth, once you master it, there’s a certain beauty to the perfectly planned assault, which outweighs any overlying dependence. Your team are a bunch of scallywags by nature! The game certainly has a tough learning curve and newbie’s will take time to scale its lofty heights, but Helldorado is a title that just seems worth that extra toil.