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### Cortex Command Preview [PC]

#### http://datarealms.com/

#### Previewed By J. Monkman

Imagine a future where technology has advanced to such a point that we are finally able to leave the restrictions of our weak, fragile biological frames behind, our brains thereafter maintained by mechanical means. Effectively immortal, mankind is finally free to explore and conquer the furthest depths of outer-space, with legions of mind-controlled robots acting as our eyes, ears, hands and... weapons.

This is the bleak picture painted by the creators of Cortex Command, an absolutely stunning real-time multiplayer combat game featuring realistic rag-doll physics, resource harvesting, hordes of robots duking it out and *lots* of gibs. Still in early development and with no set release date, Data Realms' debut production is shaping up to be an absolutely awesome game.

Cortex Command puts the player in the position of a frontier-man (or should that be frontier-mind?), battling over the plentiful resources found on an as-yet unnamed planet in deep space. Mankind may have moved on technologically, but clearly in Data Realms' future we're still warmongering, territory-greedy and generally bloodthirsty bastards.

The game-play is essentially similar in nature to the DOS-based freeware classic 'Liero', but with the addition of resource harvesting and real-time (i.e. mid-battle) weapon and troop purchasing. However, the game differs from Liero (and it's many clones) primarily in that the goal of the game isn't to simply kill off your opponents robots, but to actually storm the enemy's underground bunker and destroy their 'wet-ware' (that's tech-speak for brain, don't you know). It all sounds very simple, but the game has a tremendous amount of depth and the ability to play with four players on one PC is highly commendable.

The preview build tested (release number 13) has massively improved physics and player movement compared to previous versions, which is a major plus. Whereas before it was quite easy to trip your robo-troops over the smallest step and end up with missing limbs, the current release feels far more stable (but still features the hilarious rag-doll physics). With each and every (regularly released) build the game is becoming better and better, and although there is still a lot of work to be done Cortex Command is already a highly enjoyable blast. But then, any game that allows the player to utilise unarmed supply-shuttles as kamikaze missiles/battering rams is certain to get a thumbs-up from me!

Data Realms have taken on a massive (and unenviable) task by committing themselves to this game, but if the polished production value of this preview is anything to go by then Cortex Command is likely to be the recipient of many future gaming awards. This really is one to keep an eye on, and I'm particularly looking forward to the implementation of the planned Campaign mode and Scene Editor - although I'd be surprised if the game itself is complete before the end of 2007...