What we have here is a fresh look at the real time strategy genre. Joint Task Force disposes of base-building and resource gathering to focus on what is arguably the most enjoyable part of any RTS – blowing things up.
JTF follows ex-CIA agent Major O’Connell, leader of the first ever battalion of the ‘Joint Task Force’ – a combat unit made up of the world’s top soldiers, including US Rangers, German snipers and the UK’s Special Air Service. Instead of building units however, you pay a certain amount of cash to have troops, tanks and helicopters sent into battle.
The game throws you, as O’Connell, into real-world hotspots like Iraq to rescue civilians, take out military targets and put on a good show for the media. That’s right, the media. Developer Most Wanted has made TV an important part of the game. Act in a manner unbefitting of a peacekeeping force and the media will let the world know – and in the process, dock the amount of cash you have to spend. Play nice and you’ll be rewarded with a tasty bonus.
Most Wanted hasn’t stopped here however. Each unit in the game can be customised with various secondary weapons. For example, Rangers can have missile or grenade launchers, while you can attach anti-tank guns or machine guns to your jeeps to make them effective against certain unit types. Troops also gain experience during missions, and the most experienced of these can be taken from mission to mission. As they level out, you can spend points to make them more effective.
While there is depth in the gameplay, other areas lack polish. The voice acting is quite woeful and the animation seems to jerk, even on a powerful PC.
Otherwise, Joint Task Force is a kick in the pants for real time strategy. If you’ve been looking for a fast-paced yet in-depth RTS, be sure to give this one a try.
