Introduction: If you go to your local gaming outlet it does appear like the DS has got everything covered. There are a huge number of racers, just as many mini-game collections and too many film/TV tie-ins to mention. However there aren't many 2D action shooters and given the pedigree of the likes of Metal Slug you'd assume there would be at least a few more. Lexicon Entertainment appears to have spotted this gap and, with the help of developers X5 Games, they've released Commando: Steel Disaster. The question is 'Metal Slug beater or just your average wannabe?'

GamePlay: While Commando is predominately a 2D shooter you actually start out riding a skidoo through a snow-covered landscape. This game though, isn't simply about seeing the sights; within seconds an endless army of rocket-pack wearing henchmen will ambush you from above. This is your introduction to the game although to be fair this section isn't that difficult and you're actually in more danger from the mines are scattered about the ground. You must complete the next section on foot with the enemy also dropping their rocket packs. It becomes rapidly apparent that standing around for too long is going to get you killed and with only a single life and no save points you should be constantly on the move. You'll be attacked from all angles when collecting the various bonus packs (which are not only parachuted from the air but are also hidden inside random objects). These range from simple health and amour to more impressive weapons although you only ever have limited ammo. You'll also only have the ability to carry two weapons at any one time so picking up one means dropping another.

The problem with Commando is that rather than being rewarded for playing through with simple skill, you'll have to actually train yourself up with each section, getting slightly further with each attempt until you complete the level and so are able to progress to the next and actually save your progress. This takes time and although the average level is less than ten minutes long, you could still spend well over a day fine-tuning your skills, and remembering where the really problematic areas are, just to get though.

Control: The control system is very tight indeed so moving your hero about is simple and responsive, which is a real plus when so many enemies are firing at you at the same time.

Graphics: While the animation of the various characters is actually very good, the backgrounds are not nearly as impressive; not only do they tend to repeat a little too much but also they are also bland and uninspiring. The other problem is with the enemies because the developers seem to have designed only a handful of henchmen who appear in every level all of whom act exactly the same.

Sound & Music: Both the sound effects and music are passable but they are very repetitive and even after only five minutes play, you'll have heard it all before.

Dual Screen Use: Absolutely nothing.

Final Comments: You'll be playing Command for hours or maybe even days, but rather than it being due to its lengthy gameplay it's simply because you'll keep dying over and over again. In fact, at only 5 levels long, Steel Disaster is far from the lengthy action adventures we've come to expect from the DS and you have to wonder if the developers have cranked up the difficulty level just to compensate for this. It's still enjoyable enough and it does have that 'one more go' quality to the whole thing but if this is your type of thing, do yourself a favor and go for the far superior Metal Slug 7.

Pro: Great controls and it's cheap
Con: Insanely Difficult
Final Score: 6.0



Reviewed by: Andrew Blanchard