Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ground Control delivers an intense real-time tactics experience that eschews traditional resource harvesting and base-building in favor of pure battlefield command. Players deploy squads directly from dropships, with reinforcements arriving in limited supply. This streamlined approach forces you to think critically about unit composition and battlefield positioning, turning each squad into a precious resource.

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The three-dimensional combat terrain adds layers of strategic depth. Line of sight, ground cover, and elevation all influence engagements, so securing the high ground or using natural obstacles for cover can turn the tide of battle. The ability to zoom seamlessly from a strategic over-view to close-up views of individual soldiers makes it easy to coordinate precise maneuvers.

Squad management is at the heart of Ground Control. You start with Crayven Corporation units—classic tracked vehicles, Terradyne tanks, and marine rifle infantry—before switching allegiances to the more exotic Order of the New Dawn, which fields hovering Hoverdynes and energy-weapon platforms. Special weapons like tactical nuclear shells and deployable turrets let you outfit squads for specific mission objectives, rewarding creative loadouts.

While the lack of a single-player skirmish mode or in-game save feature can be frustrating, the multiplayer component compensates with drop-in support, customizable damage levels (from “wimpy” to “Viking”) and varied game types such as Deathmatch, Scorezone, and Flagzone. The optional GenEd map editor extends replayability by allowing you to craft bespoke single and multiplayer scenarios.

Graphics

Ground Control’s visuals remain impressive thanks to fully rendered 3D unit models and dynamic battlefield environments. Every vehicle and infantry squad is detailed with realistic animation, from the tread marks of a light Terradyne tank to the swirling energy beams of a New Dawn Hoverdyne.

The game’s camera system is one of its standout features. You can zoom out to survey sprawling canyons and jungle chokepoints or zoom in to watch your marines unleash suppressive fire. This flexibility not only enhances your tactical awareness but also delivers cinematic moments that feel tailored to the ebb and flow of combat.

Environmental effects such as explosions, smoke, and debris add to the immersion, providing visual feedback on weapon impacts and terrain deformations. These details help convey the weight and power of heavy artillery barrages, making each mission feel like a small-scale warzone.

The heads-up display is clean and functional, keeping critical information—unit health bars, special weapon availability, and squad orders—within easy reach. While the UI isn’t flashy by modern standards, it perfectly complements the game’s focus on swift, intelligent decision-making.

Story

Set in the year 2419, Ground Control throws you into the corporate warfare between Crayven Corporation and the Order of the New Dawn. Both factions vie for supremacy over Outlying Colonies, and the remote planet Krig-7b holds a secret item of unimaginable power. You begin as a Crayven field commander tasked with preventing the New Dawn from unlocking this mysterious artifact.

The narrative unfolds through mission briefings and in-engine cutscenes that deliver just enough context to keep the stakes high. Early missions establish the Crayven ethos—relying on brute firepower and the trusty Armored Personnel Carrier with its onboard repair systems—while later chapters let you experience the New Dawn’s sleek, hover-based armies first-hand.

Mission objectives are varied and well-paced, ranging from rescue operations and defensive stands to assassination of high-value targets. This diversity ensures the story never stagnates, and switching sides halfway through the campaign provides fresh perspective on the galaxy’s geopolitical machinations.

Although the plot is straightforward, its minimalist delivery complements the tactical focus of the gameplay. You won’t find sprawling character arcs here, but the corporate intrigue and cutthroat competition between two vastly different military doctrines keep the narrative engaging throughout.

Overall Experience

Ground Control stands out as a pioneer of the real-time tactics genre by stripping away base-building and emphasizing squad-level command. Its rich tactical options, from terrain exploitation to specialized weapon loadouts, reward careful planning and on-the-fly adaptation to the changing battlefield.

While the single-player campaign offers a solid dozen hours of varied missions, the absence of skirmish AI and an in-game save system can feel limiting. However, the robust multiplayer modes, drop-in support, and the GenEd map editor breathe new life into the experience, creating opportunities for endless replayability with friends or the online community.

Visually, the game still holds up thanks to its detailed unit models, dynamic camera zoom, and atmospheric special effects. The minimalist UI and crisp presentation ensure that your focus remains on tactics, not menus.

For buyers looking for a strategic challenge that prioritizes tactics over economy management, Ground Control delivers exciting, fast-paced combat and a memorable fight for control of Krig-7b. Its blend of classic military hardware and high-mobility hover platforms, coupled with inventive mission design, makes it a must-play for genre enthusiasts.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10