Game Overview:    Netstorm: Islands At War, developed by  Titanic (Netstorm was its only game) and published by Activison, is a Real-Time Strategy game released in late 1997.  Its main focus was on its quite good internet play mode.  While the game failed to sell, it is actually quite a good game, despite some problems.  Netstorm is unique in that it is a RTS game where the only units that can move are the resource gathers-- military and support units are stationary towers with specific functions and attack areas.  This adds to the strategy because placement of the towers is a major part of the game.  These units are placed in the sky on floating islands-- a map will have a few large base islands, some resource geysers floating out in the air, and a field of small floating islands.  To get to geysers or islands or to build units (towers) of an island, you must build bridges.  Skill at quickly and efficiently laying bridges is vital to being able to win, for if you are blocked off by bridges you will probably eventually lose.  Since geysers are all over the map, being cut off is devastating.  The key to victory, though, isn't annialating your enemy's units.  It is sacrificing their High Priest.  A Priest can be captured when damaged enough, and once captured, brought to a Altar where the victor's High Priest will sacrifice it.  Once a person's priest is dead, they lose the game.  ***** (of 5)

    Single Player:    Because Netstorm was clearly designed for its internet play, the single player mode leaves a lot to be desired.  With no in-mission saving, a fairly long and tedious campaign, and more boring gameplay because there are only large islands and geysers in single player, the single player mode is clearly in the game just so they have one.  It will take a while to get through, if you really want to.  ***

    Multi Player:    This is where Netstorm is at its best.  With free internet play built into the game, it is very easy to play online.  Here, games from one to eight players are played on a map with large islands around the outside and a field of small ones in the middle with the geysers.  Though there some problems online because of the fact that almost all players are either very good or no good, because of the very small number of people that play, it is still fun and even now, three years after this poorly selling game released, some people are usally playing online.  The only real problems with online play are how many people cheat.  Because of how the game was designed, cheating is fairly easy and lots of people cheat.   While there was a patch, since the game doesn't automatically download it no one uses it anymore, and it was hacked anyway.  When past the cheating, though, the game is a lot of fun.  ****
 

    Graphics:    Netstorm's graphics are clearly out of date, even though they get the job done.  They are clearly old, though, and may make some people not really try the game.  This area is, because of the game's age and the fact that the graphics were just OK then, one of the weakest areas of the game.  If you can ignore the graphics, though, there is a good game behind them.***

    Sound/Music:    The music and sound in Netstorm is ok.  While it won't stand out, it is decent and doesn't seem to repeat too often.  Each resource gatherer will make some sound when you click on them, and they are good.  The battle sounds are good as well.  Overall, a little above average in this category.  ****

    Other Info:    While not immediately apparent, Netstorm does have a map editor for single player levels.  However, to make a map you must both place the units and islands in the in-game editor you can get and create another file to go with that map that tells the game everything from what units are enabled in the level for what players start with (it must be listed), and what the alliances and computer player scripts are.  This is more complex than it sounds because this file is a text file and figuring out the syntax takes some time.  The result is few maps made and fewer that are actually good.  It is good that it has it, though. +1 *
 

    Score:  Raw Scores:
            Gameplay- ***** 5/5
            Sound-      ****   4/5
            Graphics-  ***     3/5
            Single-      ***     3/5
            Multi-       ****   4/5
            Other        +1 *   1/0
            Total-       ******************  20/25 (80%)
            Final Score (not the total-- this is what I feel the game deserves):  88%,  because despite some problems and limitations it is still a good game.