Video game version of ‘Battleship’: It sinks - Military Video Games, computer games, games, gaming - Navy Times

Video game version of ‘Battleship’: It sinks

It’s no secret most video games tied to a movie franchise are a huge disappointment.

There are some exceptions, of course — such as a couple of Batman, James Bond and Ghostbusters tie-ins over the years — but most feel like shameless merchandise, usually because of strict limitations in time or content.

And now we have “Battleship,” a video game based on the feature film of the same name, which is based on the classic Hasbro board game for two players.

While not a complete disaster, this short and shallow game is certainly not worth the $60 price tag.

Battleship might best be described as a first-person shooter and a strategy game rolled into one. You play as a demolitions specialist, Cole Mathis, who battles against an aquatic-based alien race on sand and in the sea of the Hawaiian archipelago. You must also issue commands to the Navy to help destroy the enemy fleet. Be aware, however, you’re thrown into the action without getting much of a story, nor do you really care about any of the characters.

While roaming around the beachfront, you’ll take down enemy invaders using various weapons — mostly human, but some alien — while performing missions, such as blowing up equipment, defending an area or calling in airstrikes.

Speaking of airstrikes, you can switch to the top-down BattleComm view, a grid-like map of the island and your fleet of ships, to engage in familiar Battleship naval strikes. Just like the board game, you’ll use carriers, frigates, cruisers, destroyers and submarines to destroy the enemy’s fleet. There are some interesting elements not found in the board game — such as power-ups that can increase missile damage, add a decoy or expand your radar’s reach — but regrettably, these tactical sequences are much shorter than the first-person gameplay.

In fact, the entire Battleship experience is quite short at only four or five hours. Plus, there are no additional game modes, nor are there multiplayer options — be it on the same television or over the Internet. What’s more, the graphics aren’t up to today’s standards and the controls can be clumsy at times, especially when it comes to aiming.

Still, the game isn’t a mess. While some of the “Halo”-inspired shooting segments are enjoyable, and the sea battle elements entertaining, $60 is just too much for the game’s short length, lack of modes and other assorted issues.