Stormrise

Smarter than the average console RTS but not quite brilliant. [Apr 2009, p.70]

A decent but unpolished strategy game built around a technological concept that only sort of works in any practical sense. An amiable attempt, but a far cry from victory.

We don’t know if the concepts of Stormrise will be followed in the future of the RTS genre in consoles, but now it is a game pumped with great ideas though these are not well executed. Strategy hardcores can find in it an interesting entertainment, but as precursory of a new IP this first effort is disappointing.

Stormrise produces an odd sensation: the ideas it proposes are very good for the most part, and its approach could have caused a new milestone in the genre, and set the way for the others to follow, taking advantage of its control. But the execution hasn't resulted so convincing.

There are undoubtedly excellent ideas hiding behind the scenes; they're just stymied by the method of execution.

This frustrating, broken mess is one of the worst strategy games in years.

As the studio responsible for the ace Total War series, it's difficult to understand how they've managed to get this so very wrong. It's a real shame that what seems like a decent idea ultimately emerges as a visually unappealing, impenetrably tough and devastatingly unrefined sci-fi strategy title.

Stormrise as a RTS will probably not appeal to everyone, it's complicated and frustrating at times, however there is a fun and strategic game lurching underneath.

The frustrations that come from playing it outweigh the game's few positive elements.

Its eminently forgettable title notwithstanding, the significant flaws lie in core mechanics and not the story framework.

The controls prove to be the game's worst aspect, and the single-player campaign is additionally marred by a pedestrian storyline.

In trying to introduce a new, supposedly user-friendly unit selection system, developer The Creative Assembly instead destroys almost all of the game’s playability.

A brave attempt to tackle the strategy genre in a new way, but Stormrise is still left wanting in every area. If you’re looking for a brand new RTS, check out the more conventional Red Alert 3 instead.

Making your men do what you want, when you want, is still clumsy and imprecise. [Apr 2009, p.101]

It's quite a shame really, because it has a few nice ideas in it, but unfortunately they are buried beneath a mountain of mediocrity. As it stands though, this is a game that isn't even worthy of the bargain bin, rather the trash bin.

At the end of the day, Stormrise may have been better on the PC than the PS3, however it does have its moments from the clever RTS views and some twists and turns. It does feel a little beta-ish at times, however if you're after something DIFFERENT, than it's worth an investigation.

Stormrise, and more so the Whip-system, could have pushed the boundaries of the consoles RTS to a higher level. Too bad it failed during the process. The game lacks a decent overview and you have little control over your units, making the game difficult to play. The game makes up for lost ground in multiplayer, but why would you settle for a mediocre RTS-game when there are so many others games that offer a lot more.

A simple design idea for controllers created a massive chain reaction in how the game is played, and frankly, it’s for the worst.

Stormrise's major innovations are also its biggest downfalls.

Although the game is a good try, it does not accomplish what you expect. Only real RTS-gamers should consider buying this title.

StormRise is a project that has a great concept behind it, but fails to execute it with grace.

If you adjust to the controls, Stormrise will create a new breed of hardcore RTS gamers. [May 2009, p.66]

Stormrise should have been a new start for the RTS genre on consoles, but it's not. The controls are too slow and unresponsive when you have to move several units on the map, the graphics aren't spectacular at all and the gameplay is cumbersome and frustrating. What a pity, since the story seems to be interesting.

There are some good ideas in here and with a bit more bug fixing and tweaking before release this could have been a decent offering. In the end Stormrise has so many problems that it is impossible to recommend.

Stormrise's innovation is heartilly applauded, but basic gameplay glitches and flaws weaken the experience. [June 2009, p.74]

The imprecise controls, bad AI and a completely missing overview make this game more hassle than fun. Stormrise raises a storm – of frustration!