Flotilla is a turn based strategy game available on
Steam and XBLA that boasts a unique full 3-Dimensional space combat system. The
naval space combat systems emphasize flanking and maneuvering. The combat is both fun and balanced between the different types of ships available and optional upgrades but overall the game is very unforgiving. Neither the story mode nor the skirmish mode
provides an advanced combat tutorial. This really is a shame because the game can be very engaging.
Flotilla’s basic rule of combat is “Flank the enemy!” Ships
only take damage from basic projectiles when struck on their rear or bottom
armor. A space ship’s front and side armor ignore most attacks so the challenge
lies in getting a good angle of attack without leaving your ships
vulnerable to counter maneuvering. There are weapon types which ignore the rule
of flanking and armor but they’re limited by range. To the point: larger
vessels with more effective guns move a lot slower. The limitations of range and speed
further emphasizes movement in this system. I’ve won battles against
Capitol ships and Artillery Laser Frigates because my tiny fighter would
quickly fly around them, find a weak spot, and attack with missiles. And some
of my more intense battles have been between evenly matched forces of those
tiny fighters.
This type of system requires turn based combat. In Flotilla the combat movement functions in the X, Y, and Z axes. This allows for new and interesting tactics that would be more difficult to accomplish in a Real Time Strategy game. Maneuvering the position and facing of multiple ships in real time would prove a very
daunting task. The turn based approach Flotilla took allows players to succeed
in this complex movement system. This is also where the initial difficulty problem
arises as the AI enemies demonstrate a lot of skill in hiding their weak spots
while new players struggle to navigate in a full 3D space. While the provided tutorial
does teach the basics of space combat it does not teach the players the
intricacies of the 'Orientation' part of moving. However, once I
learned those skills on my own winning battles became all the more satisfying
for it. I had to learn by watching the AI ships and then trying to imitate them in the skirmish mode.
Some game reviewers and critics are of the opinion that Turn Based Strategy games are out-dated but I believe Flotilla shows otherwise. If the required complexity of a system is too great a hurdle in real time then choosing a turn based format is much more preferable.
Some game reviewers and critics are of the opinion that Turn Based Strategy games are out-dated but I believe Flotilla shows otherwise. If the required complexity of a system is too great a hurdle in real time then choosing a turn based format is much more preferable.
