Nexagon Deathmatch

The Nexagon. In the 44th Century, it is entertainment for the hundreds of trillions inhabiting Earth and her satellites. Composed of Earth's misfits and convicts, among others, the gladiator core fights for the entertainment of all, while trying to gain glory for themselves. However, chances for glory often comes at the ultimate price. So join your Horde and prepare yourselves for Nexagon Deathmatch!

Nexagon Deathmatch, from Strategy First, bills itself as a Real-Time Tactical simulation. Choosing between 4 separate Hordes with 3 individual units apiece, the goal of the game is to score the most points against opponents for glory, renown, and cold hard cash. Though the premise is solid game material, Nexagon Deathmatch fails to take the concept to the next level, thus becoming yet another mediocre title.

It's pretty easy to understand the concept of how to play: Just use the mouse to get your players to go where you want them. Also, Nexagon offers a lot of custom pluses in gameplay. For instance, everything on the gameboard is both targetable and can be destroyed. Also, enemy AI looks to be somewhat intelligent, and the multiplayer experience is not bad, pitting you live against another opponent.

However, there's a lot to be desired. Though it's easy to move your thralls about, they're not very intuitive. Things like laying down cover fire and moving characters to desired locations was often an exercise in futility. You have almost no control in combat, and the simplified menus do not often give you an option that you'd like to have. There is also only one-on-one multiplayer, thus leaving this title out of most LAN parties. Audio was a bit weak, with the same recycled 'SportsCenter'? wannabies making this feel more like bad Monday Night Football than gladiator arena.

In short, Nexagon fails to rise above its predecessors. A perfect example of a Fans Only title, as most tacticians and strategy gamers would rather have a bit more meat in their titles.