PROS:

• Deep strategic gameplay
• Intuitive interface makes the large number of options more accessible
• PVE and multiplayer event options

CONS:

• Steep initial learning curve
• Setting is unoriginal
• Visuals are inconsistent
• Not fully optimized for all screens, with some outer interface elements partially cut-off
• Players can pay to power up

Apple App Store | Google Play (note that as of November 21, 2021, Wasteland Lords was discontinued and is no longer available; this review is posted for historical purposes)

X.D. Global’s Wasteland Lords is nothing if not shy about borrowing elements from popular post-apocalyptic mixed media predecessors. Whether it’s part of the title and post-nuclear war setting of the classic Wasteland computer role playing game series that was first released in 1988 and is still going strong today with Wasteland 3 (2020), or the over-the-top mutant gangs from the fourth installment in the Mad Max movie franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Wasteland Lords is anything but original. However, as any gamer worth their salt knows, it’s all in the play, and that’s where this game really shows its value.

You have been appointed as one of the leaders of the shelters scattered across the radiated desert wasteland. You need to protect your people, explore, develop new technologies and buildings, and survive in a wasteland filled with mutants.

The main strategic element of the game is to build and manage your own underground shelter with barracks, canneries, production facilities, storage, laboratories, weapons, and much more. It’s from this shelter that you can explore the surrounding wasteland and plan your strategies to lead your troops and mecha into battle, as well as conquer other shelters.

The interface is packed with stats and animated views of the latest components of your base and various upgrade queues. It’s a lot to take in, but is presented thoughtfully, with new information well highlighted and just a tap away to access. Even with a good interface, however, the amount of options can be overwhelming for new players, so this is a game you’ll need to invest considerable amounts of time in to get the most out of the experience it offers.

Visually, the game mixes cartoonish and realistic styles in an inconsistent manner. While the menu items and overall user interface is clear and functional, some of the more comical character graphics, for instance, feel out of place. The uninspired sound design is a similar mixed bag, with bog standard sound effects and music.

If you’re looking for a deep strategy game, Wasteland Lords delivers either as a solo experience or with its event-based multiplayer. The only downside with multiplayer is that other players can pay to power up for $0.99 – $99.99 USD per item, which can create imbalances. Nevertheless, there are enough Player Versus Environment (PVE) events in-game to help offset any multiplayer setbacks you might experience.

Score: 4 (out of 5)

The post Mobile Game Review – Wasteland Lords appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Now, ranking is difficult for me because my answer would be different depending upon when you’re asking. For instance, as a kid and into my teen years and a bit beyond, I adored the first three Star Wars films (episodes 4, 5, and 6). Like I’m sure many reading this, I watched each film what seems like dozens of times. Anyway, when I forced my daughters to watch the original trilogy on Blu-ray before the release of The Force Awakens, I really struggled with getting through those three movies for the most part (fortunately, my daughters generally liked the films and are now fans). They were still the same movies, but obviously a lot of what made them special – particularly the “wow” factor of the special effects – has long since been surpassed.

That’s no moon…

It used to be that these films were unmatched in terms of spectacle, but that’s no longer the case. In addition, movie making itself, from story telling to acting to general geek-centric product has advanced from when these films were fresh. I’m now used to something “better” than what the original three films offer. Frankly, that’s applicable to lots of older movies that I watched endlessly and happily as a kid (and beyond). I’m not sure when the turning point happened, but it did happen, and I can no longer enjoy most “spectacle” or effects-heavy older films (70s and 80s, but some 90s) as much as I used to (not by a long shot; of course, to be fair, a lot of this also applies to other media from the time and was a factor in liquidating most of my vintage videogame and computer collection). Even the pacing of most movies is different now, i.e., much faster versus the past.

So, for me to rank the Star Wars films, it’s tough. I do know that I never really liked the second trilogy much. I didn’t even watch Revenge of the Sith (acknowledging that many consider it the best of the second trilogy) and I only watched Attack of the Clones once (it was enough).

In terms of the original trilogy, in my youth, I was always partial to Return of the Jedi. As much as I appreciated Empire Strikes Back, I could probably never say it was truly my favorite. For me, the three original trilogy films are about even.

In terms of the newest three films (not a true trilogy like the others, of course), I really liked both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. I enjoyed Rogue One a great deal, but I must admit that the fairly poorly done CGI Tarkin and Leia took me out of the movie more than I would have liked. So, I guess, by default, that’s third, despite again, really liking it otherwise.

Finally, I’d like some more time to pass before passing true judgment on The Last Jedi and The Force Awakens (and of course, having the perspective of episode 10 would provide key insight into its predecessors). I also only saw The Last Jedi once so far, and I’d like that to change.

So, I can do a grudging ranking of my mindset right this moment, as:

1 – The Last Jedi (could eventually swap with 2)
2 – The Force Awakens
3 – Rogue One
4 – Return of the Jedi
5 – Empire Strikes Back
6 – Star Wars
7 – The Phantom Menace (keeping in mind I didn’t see Revenge of the Sith)
8 – Attack of the Clones
9 – ?

The post The problem with ranking the Star Wars movies and the limits of nostalgia appeared first on Armchair Arcade.