The Xbox 360 isn’t quite the home of the turn-based strategy game, but there are a few offerings on Microsoft’s current-generation console. One of those is Commanders: Attack of the Genos, an Xbox Live Arcade title that puts you at the helm of defeating the threatening Geno forces. Unfortunately, though, Commanders does just enough to be good, but nothing to make it truly stand out.
The story is pretty ho-hum: In an alternate history, mankind has discovered atomic power by the year 1900 and other advances soon follow, including the creation of a new race of genetically modified lifeforms, the Genos. Of course, complying with every single cliche out there, the Genos deicded to one day attack mankind, and it's your job to stop their invasion plans.
Jumping into Commanders is pretty easy. The game plays out as a turn-based strategy in a similar way to Advance Wars. You have different units at your disposal, ranging from heavy artillery to light infantry to transport units, and your job is to meet the stated objectives while taking over enemy factories and HQs. Each unit has a certain number of steps it can take a turn, and you’ll often have to decide between moving further across the map or moving short distances that put you in attack range. Like Advance Wars, commander units have special abilities that can be activated when a meter is filled. However, unlike that game, there aren’t different environments on a map to move troops to.
The graphics and sound are pretty much on par with most other Xbox Live Arcade titles. The art deco-inspired art style is a very interesting take on design and looks relatively good. The game’s soundtrack fits the genre and style of the game, but like other parts of the game, there’s nothing too remarkable about it. I didn’t notice any graphical or audio glitches during game play, which is certainly a good thing.
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