Great arcade action - Bring a friend!
Oh, the memories I have of the timeless classic Gain Ground. This game
had much to offer back in the days of 16-Bit: Catchy tunes, non-stop,
edge of your seat action, great control, and above all else it was fun.
The premise was this: Sometime in the (possibly near) future, an AI
controlled computer defense program that was originally intended to
train soldiers has suddenly gone haywire and is steadily killing off
all of humanity. This is where you come in; at your initial disposal
are three soldiers, each who carry their own likeness, speed, and
weaponry. As you steadily progress through the five different areas of
Gain Ground, you can collect up to twenty different types of soldiers,
each with their own unique abilities. Some carry long and short
distance weaponry, some have the ability to lob explosives over walls,
and some even have control over the elements themselves. But actually
recruiting these soldiers is another matter altogether. At the onset
of each level you are given a single screen, top view map littered with
obstacles and an assortment of opponents. Your mission is to send the
soldier of your choosing into battle, lead any recruitable soldiers to
the exit, and eliminate all enemy resistance before time runs out.
It's a simple premise that works quite effectively. Think almost
Gauntlet but with smaller levels and laser beams. But the reference
immediately ends there; the ability to recruit different soldiers to
your cause is an important part of Gain Ground. With each acquired
soldier comes a new set of strategies that rely on each soldier's
abilities. This is a vital part of the game for as each level of the
Gain Ground program progresses, the technology and cunning of the enemy forces increases.
Re-playability for this title is fairly small, but the combination of strategy, variety, and challenge is more that enough to ensure an enjoyable experience. On top of that, the ability to play in two player mode adds to the fun tenfold. All in all, Gain Ground offers an enjoyable, albeit short, arcade style experience that's very easy to enjoy and very easy to remember.