I was a mall rat when 1942 hit the arcade scene back in 1984, which is to say when I wasn't busy annoying other mall rats, I was in the arcade. I have fond memories of the game, not because it was my favorite - though as I look back now, I did have quite a bit of fun - but because it was one of the few games I was actually any good at. There was also something infinitely cool about the big boss plane flying up underneath you before you took it out - that thing was so out of proportion!
Many of the classic arcade titles that have the networks in previous years have failed to strike a chord with me because they are just that - the classic arcade titles. Unlike many, I simply wasn't good at quarter-eaters. I'm still not particularly fantastic at arcade titles but as the genre has matured, so have I and (thankfully) my skills. Still, old-school games are hard. Sometimes punishingly so. 1942 wasn't - it was why I could play it, but the lack of co-op doesn't make me wistful for home version. 1942: Joint Strike rather changes this.
Though WWII themed, Joint Strike is off in its own little universe of fun. In single-player, you get smart-bombs; in co-op you can choose from a variety of weapons, my immediate favorite just for visuals was chain lighting between players.
Though still a 2D title, it uses a 3D engine with fantastic results. The imagery is crystal clear and very stylized. There is simply more detail to pay attention to: The missions are over land instead of sea this time around with targets galore to drop bombs on as well as shoot down. Music and sound effects are appropriate and exciting. Blowing up the odd cruiser here and is a blast (pun intended).
Enemies flow in waves that remind me of Galaga or Nanostray - long strings of formations that turn and swoop. This is still the 1942 of my teens, but as I have become more agile - able to do more than move in the 4 basic compass directions, so has the game. Co-op is more than just an additional player on the screen. The difficulty changes as do the options in how to manage them. Thankfully, they left in the oversized big boss. Yeehaw.
More than most co-op titles, I enjoyed my time with this for the "living room" factor: It is fun sitting next to someone and playing. No split screen necessary -just plain old fashioned crash and burn fun. This will keep two people glued for hours. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until December to plant myself for this one.
I'm a mother of two boys, ages 7 and 10 and live in the chaos that ensues. I've a permanent disability that keeps me homebound, so books, kids, games and books are my constant companions. Oh, and books, too. *grins*
My children both play games so I often play them first, getting to know exactly how something may effect my sensitive and easily stimulated older child vs. my stoic and imperturbable younger.
I like games for games; for the pure enjoyment of them and believe that no game is wholly bad, though some are real stinkers.
I also have the dexterity of a camel in mittens so find playing FPSs difficult (and I also don't like the gore) and RTSs at times can stump me. I just can't seem to move quickly enough to keep up with them. Some of my favorite games are arcade games and I'll spend 3-5 years on the same 5-6 levels because I just never get any better. But, I have fun.
