by Alex Rigney - February 6, 2006

The need to feel powerful and controlling, to exhibit your will on something, is deeply seeded within every person. So where can we head to find this release? The realm of video games provides an outlet to show somebody who has control without the risk of holding up a McDonald’s. Squad Assault: Second Wave gives you the opportunity to combine violence and control in a reproduction of World War II brought to the PC.

What Do You Mean I Can’t Make a Mistake!?

Most games have an allowance for the eventuality of making a mistake. Squad Assault does no such thing, making constant saving a necessity. Make sure they are in different slots, though, since you might find that an earlier strategy isn’t the one to beat a map. Be prepared to play the same mission time and again, as you develop an answer for all the enemies encamped soldiers and fortified areas.

It is assumed you have played the first Squad Assault, because the tutorial in the second does nothing to assist in learning how to play. Sure, there’s an explanation as to how to move the camera, but beyond that, you’re on your own, Cowboy. There are a variety of actions that each squad can perform at any given time, making understanding the use and function of each essential, even if it requires a little more effort on your part. Additionally, there are a multitude of squad types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, designed to allow customization for each mission. That's not enough for you? Then there’s also the option to play as different countries and side in WWII, giving the ability to play from almost any vantage point in the 50+ mission scenarios.

In the realm of Real Time Strategy, ,i>Squad Assault gives you a chance to tackle the WWII battlefields without the thought of building a base first. Instead, you secure your own command posts and then attempt to take over enemy strongholds. In the interest of weakening the opponent, occasional air strikes are available, but they do little to ease the complicated task of not losing all your forces to an ambush.

Look Ma! No Hands!

Squad Assault: Second Wave has a map like almost all Real Time Strategy games, but this one is dotted by the occasional house which, beyond strategic uses, can actually provide a nice little distraction from the fact that the borders of the map are defined by a green haze. There are few things worse than knowing that your soldiers are in an area, but not being able to find them because the trees are breaking up your ability to see. It is hard to tell which of your units are which unless you decide to get as close to the map as possible, but that results in not being able to see the map. Constant screen resizing is a must if you want to ensure that the correct units are being used. However, the sight of weapons blazing on a tank or armored car makes vehicles the most visually pleasing part of the game.

Fire in the Hole!

Birds chirping, water bubbling, and guns firing. The beautiful sounds that comprise a European battlefield are all intrinsic in Squad Assault. However, the lack of a music track makes play become boring, as there is nothing to distract your attention while you are slowly marching your troops towards the enemy. The sounds that do exist, such as the gunfire and birds, are done well, and add a certain degree of realism to the environment.

What Fun?

When you approach a video game, it is typical to distract yourself from the rigors of everyday life, and relax. Squad Assault requires you to go out of your way to learn the controls to a degree that is actually helpful, and then frustrates you repeatedly as you attempt to conquer the enemy. There is a certain charm in playing a difficult game, but an impossible one is something else altogether. Launch yourself into this game, if you so choose, knowing that there will be the annoyance of repetition and the frustration of defeat time and again. There is a good degree of replay, however, as once you understand what you are doing, that is when the minimal fun begins. Of course, reaching that point takes more concentration than most people are willing to put forth.

We’re Under Attack!!!

For true diehards of the WWII era that really enjoy playing games that put you in the shoes of the great generals of the early 20th century, this game is going to really fulfill your need. For all the other people in the world, there are better options, some of them even by Got Game Entertainment (the producer of today’s feature), which will fulfill the need to control armies in direct conflict with each other without losing half your hair and snapping at the pizza man when he comes to your door. There’s nothing wrong with a little challenge in a game, but when you must spend more time saving and loading than actually playing, you have missed the point. Finite armies, a lack of a base, and no ability to explore with your own goals in mind reduce the playability of this game to a drastic point. While possibly worth a rent if you are addicted to the Real Time Strategy genre, don’t spend your paycheck before giving it a close look.

Who Said Sequels are Always Inferior?

Looking to spend countless hours learning a game, just to spend countless more trying to apply your newfound skills? Then go ahead and tackle this behemoth of a mental exercise. The graphics and sound leave a lot to desire, and in no way make up for the amount of trouble it is to become used to this game. Save yourself some time by keeping this in mind: playing Squad Assault: Second Wave is a lot like eating week old leftovers; it might not kill you, but it’s probably not a good idea.