Future Tactics Uprising

by Crave Entertainment

Product Features

• 18 stylized and high-polygon characters interacting in rich, full 3D environments
• 19 action-packed, highly intense levels waiting to be conquered
• Massively deformable terrain. Landscape can be permanently destroyed, leaving behind craters and canyons
• Rich, full 3D environments and unique, stylized characters draw you into the action
• Deformable terrain - Landscape can be permanently destroyed, leaving behind craters and canyons

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001CNRPC
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 2 inches ; 5.4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: July 19, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,778 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #48 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Strategy
  • #81 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Role-Playing

Product Description

Game Informer Review

Future Tactics started out on a good note with me at first because it reminded of two games that I enjoy: Worms and Final Fantasy Tactics. It was also refreshing to see a game trying new things, mixing turn-based strategy with platforming elements and massively destructible environments. Unfortunately, things went sour quickly when it became clear that none of these innovative features came together well, resulting in a smoking wreck of ideas that should have been fun.

The game's premise is pretty basic: a small group of good guys fight off an overwhelming alien force. Despite the simple setup, Future Tactics is surprisingly difficult, but not in that good "this game is challenging my strategic combat skills" kind of way. The monsters are overpowered, can communicate telepathically (which means if one sees you, they all do), and often respawn once they are destroyed. On the other hand, your characters are few, weak, and the death of a single one can mean game over. The result is numerous frustrating losses rooted in poor game balance rather than tactics.

Don't expect these problems to be lessened at all depending on which version you play; there are essentially no differences among the three. Even though the Xbox version is Xbox Live aware, there are no features that allow you to play against friends online. This means that Future Tactics is an identically mundane experience across the board. However, it does have a tempting $20 price tag, so if you really enjoy turn-based strategy and want to see an interesting new take on the genre, this could be worth a look.

Concept:
Turn-based strategy meets generic 3D action

Graphics:
They are either overly stylized, or just plain bad. The character models are pretty cool, though

Sound:
The thick British accents add some character to an otherwise unremarkable soundtrack

Playability:
There is no way to tell when you're entering an enemy's line of sight, leading to a lot of trial and error

Entertainment:
Despite its cartoony presentation, it is really too frustrating to enjoy

Replay:
Low

Rated: 5.25 out of 10
Editor: Joe Juba
Issue: June 2004

2nd Opinion:
As much as I enjoy turn-based strategy games, I really couldn't find anything to like about Future Tactics. The aiming system was conceptually interesting, but adjusting the floating reticle quickly grew so tiring that I stopped going for perfect shots, and was left with a wholly unappealing gaming mess. The graphics can only be described as awful, missions are boring, and combat ranges from dull to frustrating. The enemy AI is terrible, as is the fact that losing one unit can end the game. Other than the price, Future Tactics has nothing to offer.

Rated: 4.75 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss


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Product Description

Set in the not too distant future, when Earth as we know it has succumbed to a race of extra-dimensional creatures. All hopes for restoring order on the shoulders of a young boy, his sister and their crazy rebellious posse of militants. In more concrete terms, Future Tactics: The Uprising is a turn-based tactical RPG that's built around a highly complex battle engine, and features Story Mode and a two-player Battle Mode. Future Tactics: The Uprising comprises 18 3D environments, 19 levels, deformable terrain, fully animated and voiced cutscenes, a two-player customizable battle mode, the ability to custom build your team members with upgrades, and a Boot Camp tutorial mode.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Original and FUN!, June 7, 2004

By 

Matthew K. Moore (Warner Robins, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Future Tactics Uprising (Video Game)

After reading numberous reviews that trashed this game, I tried it out anyways (though expecting little)!
True, the AI is kinda stupid, the graphics are certainly lackluster, and the story is truly arbitrary and forgettable.
Despite these flaws, Future Tactics is fun!
I am a fan of tactical games, and this is certainly an original spin on the genre. You control multiple characters on each map and your turn consists of moving and performing an action within the map. Often times you have the entire map to trod around in during each turn. You have a large circle of movement place around your character. Depending on how far you move, you can even move again after shooting 'er whatever. With most characters, your firing range is as far as you can see through the scope.
The enemy AI is very stupid, but they make up for it with their ability to communicate your position if just one of them sees you.
And the environment is COMPLETELY DESTROYABLE!! What fun! Nothing like blowing a truck off the road and down a cliff with a bazooka! If it's on the screen, chances are you can decimate it (or destroy it completely)!
The levels are often very drawn out and this game has received criticism for being tedious. I'm sure I am in the top %10 of people most likely to quit ANY game the moment it starts to become irritating, but this game never got under my skin. Sure you have to play levels multiple times before beating them, but you get to destroy the terrain every time! :)

Another little problem with this game is that during the story, a few characters will leave your party without any warning and take with them the power-ups you padded their arsenal with. Yes, it sucks (especially if you maxed out that specific "deserter" like I had) but even if you end up stuck with a bunch of under-powered wussies on the last few levels, you can still beat the game with a little enginuity and very little frustration.
Also, the 2-player mode has a bit of extra stuff you can unlock (and unlocking things is always fun) and is well fluffed up (even though I'll never take advantage of it).
The camera is fairly cooperative, too! Once you start using the first-person view to reset the camera behind your character, there really isn't a problem. What a blessing!!
The originality of this game is its true strength. Once you've tasted it and liked it, you're going to have to come back to it simply because there aren't any other games like it and you will crave it!

What a long review.
All in all, if this game sounds appealing to you, the price is right! It's obviously not a big budget project, but it's got the heart to make up for its shortcomings!
Fully Recommended!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not just random slaughter, February 19, 2006

By 

Love RPG (Springfield Il. USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Future Tactics Uprising (Video Game)

O.K. I can say, with reasonable assurance, that not many people will read this review. I'm going to give it one because, personally, I think it's a pretty good game. The graphics, though not polished to a ridiculously high sheen with blood and various body parts flying around, serve the game very well. After playing, and enjoying it immensely, I realized that the makers of this game did an exceptional job on the game environment. The sparseness actually added to my enjoyment. I knew exactly where I was at all times. It's a tactical game, but doesn't require a ridiculous amount of planning, foresight, and knowledge of actual military strategy to enjoy. Almost everything is destructible, and you can use the debris you create for cover. This aspect of the game really comes in handy. In short, it's a tactical game that everyone can enjoy if they give it a chance. If you're the type of gamer who likes blood for blood's sake, and just enjoys running around with your lazer guided, supercharged, big as a house, nuclear warhead tipped assault weapon, or enjoys those craptastic thug games that revolve around being as big an a--hole as possible, by all means keep right on playing your little shoot-em-ups until your weapon is as big as the Hoover Dam. If you would like to play an immensely enjoyable game that, I think, is different from the rest, and stands on it's own very well, buy it. I know I really love playing it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring, January 28, 2011

By 

James Moore (New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Future Tactics Uprising (Video Game)

I'm not much of a video type game person. I was looking for a relaxing, enjoyable game and this one isn't it. However on the positive side, if your looking for a video game to use as a replacement for sleeping pills. Then this is just what you need.