Warhammer: Battle March
DateTime:7/8/2009 5:21:12 PM

The Xbox 360 version of a lack- luster strategy game from a few years ago, "Warhammer: Battle March" doesn't improve on the original. Actually, it's a bit worse, as the precision of mouse and keyboard controls has been lost in the game's transfer to the console. A serviceable but finger-twisting control scheme has been shoehorned in to work with the Xbox 360 controller, but it doesn't feel responsive – a common complaint in this genre. At least the "Warhammer" world is interesting, and players can spend hours tweaking and painting their perfect army for online matches.

Players choose from three campaigns – one each for the Empire, the Orcs or the forces of Chaos – and take their prearranged armies into battle, mission by mission. Units that survive a fight can be replenished and strengthened with new items and such, and new squads can be hired, but what players take with them onto the battlefield is generally all they have in a fight.

The racing is lightning-fast and flashy; players pilot zippy anti-gravity vehicles through futuristic tracks. Going fast is easy, but turning is tougher. These racers don't grip the road, so players have to pair their turns with air brakes to make those tight corners.

There are races against other vehicles, solo time trials and speed laps, and some other modes. In multi-vehicle races, players can pick up items while going through the tracks; some are weapons, others are speed boosts or defensive shields.