Pacific Theatre Operations 4

The game itself is a mixed turn-based / real-time strategy title covering (despite the name) worldwide naval operations during the Second World War. The player chooses to play one of four powers (Britain, USA, Germany, Japan), and is given control of naval fleets and air forces, as well as responsibility for technological development and vessel construction. Aside from land based aircraft, the game is solely concerned with naval operations. Alliances can be defined at the start, the default settings are historical.

The game is divided into a strategy phase and an action phase. In the former, the player performs various administrative and preparatory actions, such as ship (and aircraft) design, ship construction, R&D, espionage, and fleet movement. Aside from fleet movement, some or all of the actions can be delegated to computer control. Graphics in this phase are functional, bordering on basic. You are provided with a world map showing the various sea zones and bases over which the nations will fight for control; all commands are issued from this map via a menu system.

The action phase occurs whenever opposing fleets enter enemy controlled zones which contain ships or an airfield. The game then switches to a fluid 3D view in which the player can control up to 3 fleets as they engage enemy forces on the naval map. Search and combat tactics can be set by the player at the fleet level, or they can be left to the judgement of individual commanders. Camera modes in the action phase leave something to be desired, and it can sometimes be hard to keep up with events as they occur in real time.

To be honest, the game is crying out for a bigger manual, but the restrictions of the PS2 format DVD box seem to have precluded this. A limited online help feature is included in the game, and while this is of some help, it's by no means comprehensive. As a result, a fair degree of experimentation and inspired guesswork will be required before one becomes familiar with things like ship design and research.

Overall, the game offers commendable depth and strategic gameplay for a console title, and Koei should be congratulated for almost single-handedly promoting this genre for the PS2. Despite the learning curve, PTO IV is a super game which should reward players that give it the time it needs.

There are no multiplayer options, but given the lengthy nature of the game this probably isn't a feature that would have been much utilised anyway.

Worth seeking out for gamers not averse to strat titles, who unaccountably also own a console!

There are one of four powers to play as Britain, which controls half the world and has a lot of borders to defend, Germany THE nation if tou wqant Battleship power and a great submarine fleet,despite there terrioteries divided into two sections, Japan is the Aircraft carrier nation play as this nation and you can flood the sky with aircraft and conquer the pacific, The USA is the nation for construction, they can build ships easier and faster flooding the globe.

Also instead of the set campiagn situations USA and Britain Vs Germany and Japan you can change the alliances. And enevetable you'll want to face everyone else.

The technololgy is also great you can research various technologies, want to have ships bombard defences with rockets then you can.

This game will keep you playing for yonks! The two phases are Strategy and Action in strategy you move fleets build ships, like the moving bits in Rome:Total War, the action is combat seeing your ships fire at each other and submarines torpedoe ships.

The game isn't perfect there is no way to stop a battle you dont want and occasionaly you end up fighting a battle were u have no ships and can do nothing.

But the entire game is a great one you will love to play and play because you love it.