The interface is quite simple; merely tap on a unit to select it, and then tap on the enemy you want attacked or the location you want the unit to move to. You can select multiple units by pulling a selection square around them. Navigation of the area map is accomplished by sliding your stylus around the silkscreen area or using the navigation buttons on your device.

For a Palm game, Warfare Inc. has the most complete and in depth on-board Help system I have ever seen. The game contains a full user's manual, accessible from the game at any time merely by selecting Help, as shown in Figure C.

FIGURE C


This is just a small sample of what's in the full-featured online manual. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Warfare Incorporated's user manual is on par with what you would expect from a desktop game, covering every feature. For that matter, I've played PC games that didn't come with manuals or Help systems this well composed.

Warfare Inc. also has a multiple-slot Save and Load feature, so take advantage and save frequently. It will even pause the game if you switch tasks on your Palm, then resume where you left off upon your return.

All of these awesome graphics and action are a bit of a drain on your handheld's battery, but it's definitely worth it. And since the battery of my Tungsten T2 seems to recharge completely in about 15 minutes, it wasn't really an issue for me. For those of you whose batteries take a bit longer to recharge, or use disposables, you may want to stock up on batteries before you begin playing. I could generally get several hours of play before I felt I should check the battery status and recharge.

Final thoughts
As far as the graphics, sound, and playability are concerned, Warfare Incorporated is on a par with the early PC real-time strategy games. I was not only pleased with it, but also surprised at the quality put into the entire package. At a time when software manufacturers are cutting more and more corners to save a buck, Handmark has put together a game package well worth the time and money.

Warfare Incorporated is available in low-res black and white as well, but to truly appreciate this game, you have to play it on a high-res color handheld. And at only 2 MB, the file footprint is small enough for just about any device.

Over the course of a full week, I spent much more time playing Warfare Incorporated than I should have, letting other projects suffer in favor of gaming. It's one of those "just a little bit longer" games, like a good book, that you don't want to put down. I couldn't really find anything wrong with the game, but there are a couple of improvements, luxuries really, that would be nice to see in a future version or add-on.

Most of the enemy bases have concrete walls, creating a compound, but this isn't an option when creating your own bases. So with the exception of a few missions that provide pre-existing compounds, you have to defend an open-air base. This certainly makes for more challenging game play, but there were a few instances where it would have been really helpful to be able to channel the enemy to a more easily defended opening.