MoonBase Commander review (PC)

The create-one-item alternating turn structure, combined with the lack of mobile, directly controllable units, eliminates the other scourge of production games: the rush. You might even say that MoonBase Commander is the ultimate base-building game--the only way to win is to place your structures carefully and expand into enemy territory. The game's turn structure also eliminates the tedium often associated with playing turn-based games in multiplayer, since you never have to wait very long to make a move. You can even set a clock to force players to take their turns quickly.

MoonBase Commander's 2D graphics aren't exactly state of the art, but they're clean and colorful without being too cutesy. There are four different teams in the game. Though each one has the same units, they all have different graphics, HUDs, and voice samples accompanying various actions. The acting is top-notch--the Japanese-sounding robot girl who provides color commentary for one of the sides is especially good.

The game has two single-player modes. In challenge mode, you play through 16 battles of escalating difficulty. There's also a skirmish mode that lets you set up games on any of 47 maps against up to three computer-controlled players. There are 10 different AI opponents available, and the toughest ones are legitimately hard to beat.

From the standpoint of playing the game, MoonBase Commander's multiplayer mode is its strongest point. Unfortunately, from an interface perspective, it's also its weakest feature. No built-in server browser is available, which is annoying, though you can find games using third-party utilities, and there's apparently a fan-created direct IP link-up feature available as well. Although you can set up two-on-two team matches, the undocumented team chat feature is somewhat cumbersome to use, making secret communications with your partner difficult. On the bright side, MoonBase Commander can be played in a window (a feature that should be standard in all turn-based games), so you and your teammate can chat using any instant messaging program.

There's a fine line between elegant and merely simple. Contrary to what you might expect of it, MoonBase Commander falls squarely into the elegant category. It's lean, fast-paced, and surprisingly deep. Infogrames' official site calls it "the strategy game for everyone," and for once you can believe the company line. It's hard to imagine anyone not enjoying MoonBase Commander.