Packaging and the Manual
The DVD version I received of the retail game comes packaged in the now standard 5x7x1 inch plastic box. To me, the 1 inch thickness was way too big, because all you get inside of the box is 1 DVD on the right side, along with the manual on the left. The publisher could have got away with the standard console packaging box, being ½ inch thick.
What really stunned me and left my head shaking was the lack of a serial code, or CD key code to input upon startup for copy protection. Of course the game not having a code does not mean it is not copy protected. The game is protected by the now familiarSecuRom.
The 38-page manual tells you basically everything you need to know to get you started. Nothing more, nothing less. There is a readme file for all 4 versions of the game. English, French, German, and Italian, but no pdf with additional information.
Installation
Installation was easy with the DVD version. The total footprint for install is 5.27 gigs, which is not really bad considering all of the graphics, detail, and action contained in the game itself. To play this game in all its glory, you will need a good strong system; however, because the games graphics are truly scalable, you can also successfully play it on a moderate system. At the end of the game installation there is another program it wants you to install that provides a game auto-updater service. You have the choice to install it or not. I would suggest not installing it — there are fees involved in the use of the service.
Another item that is somewhat odd is that you are “required” to have a broadband internet connection, along with an active GameSpy Account, just to play the single player portion of Battlestations: Midway. I understand the developers did this so your personal stats, awards, and the leaderboard are accessed through their main stats servers to compare results community-wide. But players that do not have a broadband internet connection, or even internet access capability for that matter, should have the ability to play the single player game alone. Being an “old school gamer” having played single player games over many years, this part of Battlestations: Midway really troubles me.
Game Options and Settings
Included are keyboard and mouse settings with configurable keys, graphics supporting high resolution and support for wide screen monitors. Sound settings are typical with most current games. Everything is very easy to configure for your personal gaming machine specifications and your personal preferences.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics are “on par” for current game development. All images contained within this review are either in-game movie scripted cut scenes or actual gameplay. Even though most of the ships contained in the game look crisp and sharp, there was always something about them that just did not look right. I think it is the sailors in the heat-of-battle just walking around on the decks as if nothing was happening around them. The graphics of the ocean water is very good, but not as perfect as I envisioned from the trailers and movies that preceded the game’s release. Overall the graphics in the game are very good, but not superior to other game titles that require similar system specs to handle. The developer constructed a game that could be played by a wide variety of systems. I applaud them for making their product scalable.
The soundtrack incorporated into Battlestations Midway is very good. It gives you the right feel and atmosphere of your surroundings throughout the game. The voice acting is good — what there is of it. It can get very repetitive at times and sometimes the dialogue can become idiotic. Note to developers: more variation and less repetition in the voices.