Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde

 GameCube
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
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  1. GameZone
    84
    The best multi-platform real-time strategy game ever made. It's packed with replay value; you'll want to start another game and play through it again right after finishing it.
  2. Nintendo Power
    84
    Its graphics are intricately detailed, and its raging goblin battles are packed with action. [Feb 2004, p.149]
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  3. GameShark
    83
    It is seriously fun and I found myself playing this game late into the night just trying to beat "one more mission."
  5. Play Magazine
    83
    If only Goblin Commander's visuals matched the majesty of its design... I absolutely love it, though. [Dec 2003, p.83]
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  6. IGN
    80
    Responsive controls and cleverly-balanced units that catch your fancy or the ability to take control of a single unit in smartly-designed maps that sound more like your speed.
  7. Nintendojo
    80
    What the game lacks in close up visuals and audio it makes up for in its fun, addicting gameplay.
  8. Game Informer
    80
    Won't blow your socks off, but it's a noteworthy first attempt that deserves a look. [Jan 2004, p.141]
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  9. GameCube Europe
    80
    The gameplay is relatively basic but intriguing nonetheless and especially suitable for newcomers who have a slight interest in the genre or people who are looking for something different for their cube.
  10. Yahoo!
    80
    It's not the prettiest game going, but its reliance on tense, cinch-your-belt strategy with limited forces is a welcome break from the near-mindless tank- (or in this case, monster-) rush blues.
  11. G4 TV
    80
    The limited units and resources make for tight, intricate matchups, and there are few models of the RTS that can claim to be as accessible.
  12. eToychest
    80
    Jaleco has brought a quality RTS title home, and the world may never look at these games as best suited for PCs again.
  13. Nintendophiles
    77
    The game may be boring for the casual strategy fan, and may not have enough depth for the hardcore strategy fan so it hits that horrible middle point that most companies strive to avoid.
  14. NintendoWorldReport
    70
    The strength of Goblin Commander really does lie in its control set-up.
  15. GameSpot
    67
    Though experienced PC RTS players may find Goblin Commander to be somewhat shallow, it's still a pretty decent RTS game for console players, with an interface that is nicely streamlined for controllers.
  16. TotalGames.net
    62
    Another annoying aspect of the game is that the Artificial Intelligence is hardly cutting edge, in fact, it couldn't cut butter.
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  17. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    62
    Tactically, it's pretty boring, but if you can get into the goblins' expendable-offense mindset, it's a smashing time.
  18. GamerFeed
    60
    The fact that this game turned out to be as fun and engaging as it is really amazes me.
  19. Edge Magazine
    50
    Nobody, nobody at all, walks into a game shop and thinks: "Hey, goblins are pretty cool. Today I want to be a goblin." When the goblins in question have been rendered with almost no character or charm, this merely compounds the lack of emotional connection. [Mar 2004, p.106]
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  20. games(TM)
    30
    Ironically, the developer has actually been very successful in mapping a superbly intuitive control system to the gamepad, and by enabling direct control of your Titan a basic action element is introduced. Yet by totally amputating any strategic scope from the RTS equation, the ensuing battles becoming virtually pointless affairs. [Mar 2004, p.111]
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Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best GameCube Game of 2003
79
#79 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Nightdatsu
    Feb 9, 2014
    8
    Alright, Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde.
    This one was really tough to try and review in any way or form, the overall single player    Alright, Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde.
    This one was really tough to try and review in any way or form, the overall single player experience of the game is great, simplistic and most of the time filled with quirky lines in cut scenes.
    You control Imps to try and kill other Imps, that's the simplistic premise of this game however it gets back to the more strategy side of things with match ups meaning that some Imps might be better in certain situations, sadly the game itself does not tell you about this factor and the only way to find it is in the games manual witch is unfortunate for new players or people that rent it.

    The overall graphics of the game is decent, for being GameCube there is still a lot to be desired in this game.
    Rocks and debris is pix-elated to the maximum witch is really bad for the overall game as it's presentation surely gets butchered for it. The overall stage design is also something that could be a bit better, there are many situations where your Imps get's stuck or take a route you did not intend because the lay out of the stage was bad, resulting in a loss after over thirty minuets play. The game uses the engine that such titles as Battlefield uses witch lets things break down, be destroyed in a nice looking feature witch is the best part of the graphics of the game.

    The audio of the game is good and it gets the job done for it's era, it seem to be all voice actor work with the Imps and they sounds good, funny and quirky witch is a nice touch to the overall atmosphere. Just hearing the steam blast out of the machines in the first world is a nice touch and you can clearly tell that they have put a lot of time into the detail of the audio in this game.

    The controls feels like something I should mention as RTS games on console is always a scary subject to bring up, but Goblin Commander actually does it greatly, you can move them by using a sort of "Go here" system that works pretty well, the Imps will move to the location and kill the ones they meet on the way there, you will most likely have three "Go here" you will use on each stage.
    There is also a gain control effect that I've not seen in a game since I played Dungeon Keeper 2, You control an Imp or Titan and then move around killing other imps. Witch works very smoothly and easy to use.

    Goblin Commander comes with a campaign, with three save slots. A versus mode and options.
    The options itself is non-existent and you don't need to use it. It's nice that they where generous with three save slots but It's hard to see why some people would play through the game three times or more. The replay value of the game is average as it's very lengthy witch itself is a nice thing, I run this game on a professional level and the fastest I could get it down to is 3+ hours, so If you are looking for a long game for a cheap buck, it's at least a great pick up.

    Versus mode is the best part of the game, a local split screen versus game provides lots of fun in the living room If you can find someone to play it with. You get to pick up to three clans each and then just battle each other down for hours.

    I recommend Goblin Commander:Unleash the Horde. 8/10    … Full Review »
  2. LoganN.
    Feb 29, 2004
    9
    Fain's last level is HARD!
  3. [Anonymous]
    Jan 5, 2004
    2
    EPIC AND EXCITINGLY boring. Don't waste your time.
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