The player assuming control of the mechanized alien force has all of the units from single-player in their arsenal as well as generator structures that supply their forces with resources. The multiplayer component of Anomaly 2 introduces tower-defense gameplay into the mix as one player builds towers to defend a base while another leads a convoy to destroy its defenses. Anomaly 2 wants players to complete levels using certain units and tactics that leave little room for creativity or freedom.įortunately, the sequel's inclusion of multiplayer is one of the largest saving graces as online players are incredibly more interesting to play against versus the computer. While the game allows players to select the units for their squad, most levels have enemy tower arrangements that require the right selection of units to bypass their defenses.
#ANOMALY 2 FOR PC TRIAL#
With the game's trial and error method and auto-saving checkpoints, there were many occasions that entire levels had to be restarted because there weren't enough resources or units left for completing the particular section.
The pacing of the game never quite hits the mark and with it comes many difficulty spikes that leave the player little warning. Yet, the gameplay suffers from a few issues that ultimately result in more frustration than enjoyment. The ever-changing battlefields and action-packed sequences of Anomaly 2 are all a refreshing change of pace to the tower offense genre. The switch from tactical to squad view and then to the battlefield are all fluid, which allows players to quickly change their tactics. Also returning is the tactical view that allows players to plan their route through enemy territory to reach the level exit. Anomaly 2 strays from the normal elements of tower offense games by enabling players to directly control the commander character as they run about the battlefield collecting power-ups and scouting ahead for the convoy. Units from the original game and new additions are all able to transform with a double click of the mouse to mech versions that include different abilities and tactics.
While the core elements of gameplay haven't drastically changed from the original, the introduction of new unit types and their ability to transform into alternative mech versions result in a more interactive and dynamic experience. Even with a less than-mediocre narrative in place, players will find a great deal of enjoyment in the addictive gameplay of Anomaly 2. Each level is also scored based upon completion time and other battle statistics that determine a bronze, silver, or gold rating. While most levels follow the format of battling through enemy towers, there are other sections that deviate from the formula that focus on powering down turrets or defending a base from waves of aliens on each side. The narrative in later levels does pick up pace from the slower beginning levels that focused more on providing tutorials for the different unit types available to use in a squad. However, the various types of alien units and their mechanical designs have an identity of their own and succeed at being menacing throughout the narrative. Even with the interesting post-apocalypse setting of Earth as a frozen tundra and some stunning vistas, the alien versus human conflict and characters involved in the narrative are lackluster and hollow compared to the actual gameplay. Players join the ranks of a roaming convoy that becomes entangled in a quest to locate and activate a device that was designed with the sole purpose of destroying the alien threat. The sequel's narrative is set after the alien invasion of Earth in 2018 in which a devastating anomaly event has brought the human race to the verge of extinction.
While the game includes simple controls and addictive tactics-based gameplay, there are some issues of difficulty spikes and a reliance on trial and error for completing levels cause frustration in the game's later sections. With Anomaly 2, the gameplay has been further polished in addition to new features including morphing mech units and a multiplayer tower offense versus defense mode. As with the original Anomaly: Warzone Earth from 11 Bit Studios, its sequel Anomaly 2 has gamers controlling a squad of units through routes of merciless alien towers set on destroying everything in their range.