Looking for a decent mobile game to see you through those commuter traffic jams next week? You won't get much better than the fantastic turn-based strategy sequel, Ancient Empires II, from UK developer Macrospace (now owned by US publisher Glu). The official release date is monday, but the review version has been driving me mad for the last few days. Based in the fantasy realm of Thorin, you control two royal brothers as they seek to save their kingdom from an evil shadow demon. What this translates into is eight levels of Advance Wars-style tactical battle, pitting your modest range of units (soldiers, archers, catapults, poisonous wolves) against the enemy's vast forces. It's a far cry from Space Invader clones and quiz titles... Thank the lord...
What really marks this game out from its decent predecessor is the vastly improved AI. These dense little fights are hugely challenging with enemy units ruthlessly ganging up on your battered little stragglers. All the usual turn-based strategy game balancing acts - between building powerful units, or a greater number of weaker ones, between trying to win the resource war (the more buildings your soliders occupy the more gold you have to buy more troops), or just going all out to attack your foe - they're all here. There isn't quite the variety or the sheer scope of Advance Wars, but this is a mobile phone game. And there's a skirmish mode where you can get together with a mate and take on two other pals or the computer in a series of quick hit battles.
This is just great Java game programming. Ambitious but realistic in design, simple interface, cute visuals, three save game units so you can cut off at any point. It might just change your mind about mobile gaming. It might. Just.
