Return Fire

Review

by Shawn Sackenheim

One of the most entertaining and thoughful games I've played in years, Return Fire features smooth graphics, great sound, and plenty of battlefields.

Graphically, the game takes place from a 3/4 overhead view so there's no pop up and slowdown no matter how crowded the screen gets and, the faster you move, the more the camera zooms out to give you a better view of what's ahead. Explosions are a bit pixelly but well animated and most of the in-game characters are computer rendered and animated.

You've got four vehicles to choose from; each with their own strategic advantages and purposes. The tank is the general vehicle of choice as it has a nice speed with good firepower and gas mileage. The missile launcher is infintely more powerful but very slow and only used to destroy defenseless areas quickly. The helicopter is mainly for recon as it is lightly armored and doesn't carry a lot of ammo. And finally, the jeep. It's only purpose is to pick up and return with the enemy flag as it is the weakest of all the vehicles and armed only with a soldier throwing grenades.

So, you set out in each level hunting down the flag with helicopter, destroying the defenses with the tank or missile launcher and retrieving the flag with the jeep. Pretty simple at first. Eventually the enemy will get more creative with the placement of their flags and begin to introduce submariens that fire missiles and their own helicopters that will make your run for the flag very tense as you'll be constantly bombarded with enemy fire.

All of this destructive action is complemented by classical music, themed for each vehicle and is perfectly suited for the game giving it a classy flare. Sound effects and voices are great and diverse as well.

Return Fire is a blast even in the one player mode offering plenty to see and even more to destroy with a two player mode that is sure to split friendships due to its fiercely competitive fun. If you're a fan of military action that never takes itself too seriously, then check out Return Fire as soon as possible.