The Nintendo Switch is the hottest console at this time. It’s no wonder since Nintendo has turned over a new leaf. After the Wii U’s lack of success (I still love mine, by the way), it’s not surprising that most developers out there want to bring their games to the platform since it offers touch screen like a tablet but also conventional controllers seen on home consoles. Many games developed in mobile environments are making the jump to this console, which is not so bad since there are mobile games that are gems to be discovered. However, when a game makes a jump, it must be in a way that doesn’t affect the overall experience, and not all are able to do it.
Battle Group 2 is one of the many games that have made the jump from mobile to Switch, and it feels more like a shmup with strategy elements. The objective of the game is simple: You need to take out enemy aircraft and missiles thrown at you across enemy waters. Luckily, you only need to be focused on moving the aim reticle since the battleship moves on a straight line like a on rails shooter.
Since the battleship moves on its own (later on the game you need to protect two at a time), you take down everything on sight, being mindful of the amount of missiles you can shoot (you have infinite ammo but after shooting all there is a cooldown period to reload). Since everything is on the move, you need to anticipate enemy movements and placement to make every shot count. Enemies are varied they range from planes and helicopters to all types of watercraft. However, in some missions, there are also civilian aircraft, so you need to strategize the placement of your shots to prevent hitting them. Each time you destroy an enemy or building, you get a barrel (I think it is oil, so I’ll go with oil) of oil which serves as the game’s currency. You can use them to purchase new battleships with different capabilities. You will also be able to purchase upgrades like reducing the load time (critical in missions with many enemies attacking). There are also special items like slowing down time to destroy everything in sight, and the secondary battleship provides its own attack with the drawback of a long load time. You need to use it smartly. However, upgrades and items are expensive so the grindy nature of the game shows its face.
Graphically, the game looks good. The voice acting is satisfying, and the music overall is fine. Each area you play through is well detailed, and I really like the shmup vibes I get from Battle Group 2. Control-wise, you can use the normal control scheme to move the reticle to attack and activate items. However, it is a bit slow (it can move faster pressing the R button), so preferably the way to go is with the touch screen since with a touch you aim and shoot automatically. I prefer it to the normal control scheme. It feels more accurate (and I don’t like touch based games). It’s a good thing that there is variation in how to play the game, so if you want to give a rest to those Joycons the touch screen is there for you.
Bottom Line: Battle Group 2 is a good game for killing time. You can play leisurely while watching TV. It’s fun, but the grindy nature for getting items and upgrades can be sometimes a bit overwhelming. If you like to grind to a get the most you can from a game, Battle Group 2 is for you.
A Review code was provided for this review.