Army Men - Team Assault

Description

Army Men - Team Assault is a title that represents an ambitious attempt to combine strategic elements with action adventure in the universe of plastic soldiers. The game was released in 2001 for the PlayStation and fits into 3DO's popular Army Men series of games. In this sequel, the developers decided to focus on team action and cooperation, which adds to the game's interest. Many fans of the series would expect this mix of genres to bring a fresh wind to the already somewhat hackneyed concepts of the previous games, but the reality is unfortunately a bit more complicated.

The first distinct impression that strikes the player upon starting the game is the graphics. While the character models and environments are detailed and the colour palettes faithfully mimic the aesthetic of plastic toys, it must be admitted that the visuals, which may have been cutting edge at the time of release, now look somewhat dated. Character animations are rather stiff and bland, which detracts from the overall visual feel of the game. However, for nostalgic gamers and fans of the series, this is a pleasant return to childhood.

Gameplay revolves around assembling and leading a team of plastic soldiers who are tasked with completing various missions in diverse environments. Each member of the team has their own unique abilities and weapons, creating interesting dynamics and strategic options for the player. Unfortunately, the artificial intelligence of enemies and teammates often lags, leading to frustrating situations where your teammates run straight into fire or remain idle when their help is needed.

The sound design of Army Men - Team Assault, whether it's the sound effects or the soundtrack, is mediocre at best. Gunshots and explosions sound believable, but the voice acting and dialogue often come across as spastic and unnatural, which detracts from the immersion. The music is solid, but lacks distinctive melodies that will stick in the player's mind.

Level design and missions, while varied, often resort to the same repetitive patterns, which can feel monotonous after a long time. The difficulty is unbalanced, with occasional unexpectedly difficult moments that unfortunately frustrate rather than challenge. On the other hand, the cooperative elements give players the opportunity to create effective and entertaining tactics if they manage to coordinate the team seamlessly.

Army Men - Team Assault is a mixture of promising ideas and sadly unfinished execution. While the game attempts to expand the series' gameplay experience with strategic elements and team action, it's clear that the game's technical limitations and imbalances prevent it from reaching its full potential. For fans of the series and those looking for a nostalgic trip back to the PlayStation era, Army Men - Team Assault could still be an interesting experience. For other gamers, however, this plastic world is unlikely to provide enough entertainment to last long.