Battle Isle

mailman 2015-10-17
(9/10)
"Battle Isle" series alongside with "History Line" is a typical turn-base strategy game for all of you who do not necesseraly like strategy games. It is very easy to get into the game's mechanics and the difficulty steep is well balance so you will not easily turn away from the product. A lot of cutscenes animations make this game even more interesting and each battle has to be won in order to see them. Advanced strategy games players may find it a bit to repetitive but they have more sophisticated titles. However "Battle Isle" is far more challenging than "History Line" and has many add-ons.
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RichardH 2012-09-29
(10/10)
One of the few games which still work for me today. The gameplay/strategy feels a little like a chess game on stereoids, with a small element of chance added. Nice intro+extro. Overall, a perfect production for the time (10/10).
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Bebokus 2012-07-02
(6/10)
Isn't it just a Military Madness clone? Cause Military M. Looks same like Battle Isle, furthermore the combat system is excatly the same.

Weird eh?
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mike_tyson 2012-03-13
Strategy/tactical war games on the Amiga usually meant: shitty graphics looking as if there were ported from CGA or EGA (often they were), no sound, and an incomprehensible interface. War games were also usually played alone.

Battle Isle changed everything: the graphics are outstanding, the sound is superb as expected from Chris Huelsbeck, and the interface is instantly (*) accessible. There is also a simultaneus two-player option in split-screen.

Let that all sink in. It may not sound much today, but in 1991 Battle Isle was nothing short of revolutionary. The two-player mode in particular is pure genius: Battle Isle is strictly turn-based, but there are two phases each turn: movement and action. While player A is in movement phase, player B is in action phase. Then both players change phases. And so on. As a result both players have something to do all the time. There is no need for one player to wait for the other player to finish his turn.

There have been two data disks for this, which are not listed here on Lemon Amiga.

Battle Isle had various sequels and spin-offs, mostly on the PC; the entire series lasted for ~10 years.

(*) "instantly accessible" by early 90s standards. Nowadays it's a bit obtuse: for example to get to play against the computer, you must load a map for human vs computer play (try "CONRA" ). But still: the original Battle Isle is just one of the best war games, and one of the best vs games on the Amiga!
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dragonetti 2011-12-18
I really liked this game, you need to get used tot the hex-layout of everything but once you get past that, it's one hell of a time!!!!
I played this AFTER dune II and it was dune II which got me interesting in other strategy games.

It's difficult to explain why this game is so good, you have to play it to understand it.

And underrated gem this one is.
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ReTroViRuS 2011-04-26
(9/10)
An absolute classic in the strategy genre. The intro is a bit weird: It starts out like a normal story set in the future, but then Blue Byte intentionally break the fourth wall by recruting the player as their new master tactician. In that regard, the backstory seems to be inspired by the movie The Last Starfighter.
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Mancomb Seepgood 2008-04-03
(10/10)
I got this game as a christmas gift from my brother back in 1991. We ended up spending the whole holidaytime playing this. Brilliant atmosphere, unforgettable music.
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dhakbacz 2007-07-08
(9/10)
The first hex-strategy-thingie I ever played and responsible for my addiction to the genre. I remember how awkward it first was to play it with a joystick, but it's so well done, that playing hex-strategy with a mouse felt strange ever after
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Stomperud 2006-03-21
(10/10)
I cannot even begin to tell ya how much fun I had playing this versus friends. One time, one of my experienced raven bombers caused so much destruction among my opponents units, he started to sob and wouldn't play anymore. It was hilarious
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Kai 2005-04-08
(10/10)
A great strategy game! But I like(d) HISTORYLINE more! (91%)
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stjack 2005-02-27
Thx to blue byte for hours of fun and pleasure.I failed an important test because I can't stop playing BI. A masterpiece in strategy gaming. But i.m.o. This was just a little test. Blue Byte made it an designed HISTORY LINE!
Kim, come on.... Show HI to us. !
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Inferno 2005-02-01
(9/10)
A strategy game made simple, addictive and cool-looking: that's what Battle Isle was, and that sure wasn't an easy task for Blue Byte. Bravo!
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jive 2005-02-01
Very addictive, one of my very first strategy experiences. It will never be forgotten! Great concept of two players on one machine.
if you liked this, check out nectaris (pc-engine) too, still lots of fun today and the source of inspiration for this game.
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Hagbard_Celine 2004-12-05
(9/10)
"Battle Isle? Yes, awesome!"

This must be what most of you will say when you hear somebody mention that name. And indeed, also in my humble opinion this is an excellent game. The gameplay is great ... And so on ...

But first things first. Starting with the Intro which gives you a short view into the storyline of Battle Isle. And then the menu, which is pretty straight forward for anybody.

Now, the game itself. It must have been the first real good strategy game on the Amiga. The Graphics are good, atleast for the time it was released. The game is turn based, meaning on player moves its units, the other one has the ability to attack the other. After hitting the space key, each round is finished and the battle are shown. Furthermore, you can also occupy depots and factories, where you can repair damaged units and build new ones.

All in all one can say that the vast possibilities in tactics and strategies make that game very special. And the huge amount of different units make this game always a good one to play and never boring.
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