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Camera control is awsome.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: August 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I'm only going to write about the camera control. Other people have written enough about gameplay, graphics, etc. Quite simply, the camera control in this game is close to perfection. Essentially, this is how you move. You use the arrow keys to move forward and backwards, and to turn left and right. You use the mouse wheel to move up and down. (if you don't have a mouse wheel, you press shift, then move the mouse up and down). Simple enough, isn't it? The surprising thing is that it really works. You can easily command your troops from closeby. You don't have to go high up and make your units look like dots (as is the case with force commander) You can stay ground lever with them and still easily be able to attack targets, etc. The only thing is that you have to watch your back. This 3D camera view brings on a new dimension in gameplay. Since you an only see enemy units that are in your units' line of sight, and some units have longer lines of sight that others, this brings up some interesting opportunities. Ambushes are very easy to pull off now, and are rather effective. Using a scout unit, you can order artilley to hit enemy troops and they wont even know what hit them. All in all, the best strategy game I've played.

One minor problem with it though. You can't save during a mission. Kind of annoying when you reach the last few missions. They probably should release a patch correcting this, sometime soon I hope.

Oh yes, and the multiplayer is very good. The drop-in game works just like deathmatch and is very well done.

What happend?

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: July 20, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Ground Control could have been awesome, but it falls flat onit's face. The version I purchased ... was a complete wash out. It was full of bugs and problems that any gamer does not want to hassle with. There were consist errors in the game itself and don't even try to do multiplayer, you will end up using a few choice words at the computer. Take my advice, buy The Sims, it is far better and full of no bugs. Maxis knows how to put a game together, Sierra does not! Don't let the graphics fool you, Ground Control has too many issues and does not allow for a clean game playing experience. Oh yeah and if you are really looking to buy it be warned, you can only control one side. There is no option to be the "bad guys." Most RTS's allow this. So there it is. Two thumbs down and all that jazz. Don't bother wasting the money or time. ...

Whiners need not apply...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: May 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is absolutely wonderful, truly an amazing acievement by Sierra. The graphics are incredible, with heavily detailed unit models, wonderful effects, and very beautiful environments. The gameplay as well is great. Some gamers profess that it is limited because you cannot build units in the game, but this is a feature that forces you pay close attention to strategy. It is clear that the single star reviews that have been given to this game were submitted by people who really couldn't handle the focus on tactics. The best evidence of this is the one reviewer who says that Earth 2150 is a much better game. I have played Earth 2150 to death, and can say with absolute confidence that anyone who believes that this is one of the better RTS games out there has no idea of what they are talking about. That game is only about the worn-out tank rush, and in several missions it even tries to copy the "no unit building" idea of Ground Control, with pitiful results. In skirmish mode, once weapons of mass destruction are researched and built the game is practically over, with whoever fires first being the winner. Also, the game has so many missions that require you only to collect and store resources for future missions that by the end of the game you will pray that you never have to play another one. If you have ever played Earth 2150, Ground Control will be a welcome change from resource tedium. The object of GC is smart, tactics-heavy gameplay, so only buy the game if you have the intellect to handle it. Ground Control is true RTS (Real Time Strategy). Earth 2150 is true RTB (Real Time Boredom).

Utter Pants!!!!!!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: August 04, 2000
Author: Amazon User

What can i say about this game that will bring it from the ashes. Frankly nothing, its terrible. It took me around three days just to get it working and then it still constantly crashed. When i finaly did get to play, i found the levels were boring, repetative and dull. I'm a big fan of strategy games, and out of the recent titles i have bought this has got to be the worst. If you have already ordered this then cancel and treat yourself to a good strategy game like "Shogun" or my preference "Dogs of War".

Interesting, if uncomplicated

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Just bought the game, and have to say I like it. It isn't a traditional RTS, as you have no economy, gather no resources, and build no buildings or units. Instead, you just start with some units, and go kill stuff. It's pretty straightforward.

Before each mission, you can customise your squads and dropships however you like. You have several basic types of unit:
infantry
tank ("terradyne")
floaty tank ("hoverdyne")
flying thing ("aerodyne")
and heavy weapon ("rocket terradyne", Anti-Air, Artillery)

Each of these units comes in several flavors, such as "scout" "medium" "heavy." You can further customise each squad as "Offensive" "Speed" "Defensive" or "Balanced." Defensive means the squad is equipped with additional armor, etc.

The in game controls are simple. The camera is easy to control (arrow keys to move, mouse to look around, pgup and pgdown do zoom in/out.) You kill stuff. Simple, relatively fast gameplay. You can find it cheap, and with the settings cranked up, it still looks good. All you could ask for from ten dollars worth of game.

the best Strategy game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 25, 2002
Author: Amazon User

its one of the best game I ever played or maybe the best one, it change the history of the strategy games , its completey 3D you can go with the camera where ever you want ,under tank ,above clouds,its magnivesant, the about the graphic,in this game you dont have to build all you have to do is fight and fight and fight, you feel that you ar in real war and each solider is very very expinsive, all I can say : YOU HAVE TO PLAY IT ,ITS VERY CHEAP MAN.

Lost Gem

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Ground Control is pure action and strategy with the most inticing graffics and sound you will ever see or here! The camera views are astounding as you move about the action or pan in and out. This is how SC should have been made!! Truly an (AWSOME) piece of work.

A compelling game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is one of the best. It has been out for nearly 2 years and it still is a strong contender for packing action into single player, and more importantly, multiplayer. This game allows you to to come out "running hot", no resource building, just pick from a multitude of units and goto the game , either as a lone wolf or as a team. A really neat feature is the 3D camera that allows you to pan everywhere, birdseye view to underneath your own units. The Ground Control community is active and vibrant, clans abound, map makers introduce new maps all the time. And most players/clans are willing to help all up and over the learning curve. This is a very fast paced game. For the price it may be your best buy.

Saturated with Strategy

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 18, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is amazing. Although it is old, the 3D grapics are phenominal. Control of the camera has never been easier, or less restricting. Pathfinding is flawless, clipping is consummate. The storyline is also very engaging. The rendering of people during the pre-mission breifing is not so hot, but it is also completely unimportant.
The best part of this game, which sets it apart from other RTS games, is the pure, unadulterated strategy aspect. It is squad based, so there's no micromanaging individual units. You are left with a realistic amount of control over your squads, free to focus on tactics. The formations and positions you choose to maintain in this game are crutial. And you get a set amount of customiable units for each missoin. One must actually think stategically, unlike many "build up fast and rush in a mellee" RTS games.
Dont let the price tag fool you, folks. I've never played a better RTS.

BEST WARTIME RTS GAME YET!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 02, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Blows away anything I've ever played. As a former US Marine Tanker from 29 Palms, CA, I was surprised at how realistic and true-to-life the game really was. From tactics to weapons to troop formation to graphics and sounds, Ground Control is an amazingly real experience. The one thing that may turn people off is the view controls. DON'T LET IT FOOL YOU. It can take a little while to get used to. Unlike StarCraft, with GC the player can zoom in and out, up and down and all over for a real 3D game. There is no view that the player cannot have. But it does take a a little practice and getting used to, so don't get frustrated. Overall an outstanding game. A must for anyone serious about RTS war games.

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