A rare gem of a game, BOB is a beautiful, detailed, yet manageable recreation of the battle for the skies of Britain. Complex enough for dedicated simulation enthusiasts yet scaleable for the novice, this is one simulation done right.
The PS2 accentuates developer Polyphony Digital's extraordinary handling of lighting and textures -- sun rays sift through a tunnel of trees, exhaust fumes spew into the air, and cars glisten like the sweat on La Femme Nikita's brow.
Besides all of the cosmetic and mechanical embellishments, BreakAway also improved the competency of the artificial intelligence, making Waterloo one of the most challenging historical war games to come out in a very long time.
It offers more of everything you'd expect and then some -- gorgeous graphics, incredible animations, visceral sound effects, terrific cut scenes, wild weapons, unique characters (wise-cracking Brits, a diaphanously dressed magical sea nymph, and a towering giant), and deadly enemies with effective AI.
It's not just vast, but flooded with quests and side adventures. There is always something to do in this game and, after that, there's always something more.
The game is so much fun and has such a great sense of humor that those quibbles melt away like goo off a reactor core. Bottom line: You'll love Startopia.
