Str: Rapid Aerial Deployment (by sync9)

Game: Rapid Aerial Deployment
Release: October 29th 2002
Genre: Strategy
Developer: sync9
System Requirements: Pentium 200 mhz, DirectX 7.0
Price: Freeware

R.A.D. is a RTS that puts you onto the battlefield yourself. Like many RTS’s you control a headquarters where you delegate your actions from, you also gain control of factory’s which add to your resources. You have 8 different units you can build and use in the game. You yourself are the 9th unit in the game, a jet/robot transformer type of thing. When you build your units you select the type of actions they will perform i.e. Attack, Hold, Attack HQ, etc. Once you have deployed your units the only way you can change their action type is to pick them back up and select the menu , you can then also redeploy them to a different area if you so choose.

R.A.D. offers many different types of levels, from the industrial landscape of a technological world to a lush plant filled terrain. The units are rather varied as well, you have the soldier which can occupy the factories, the tank which can defend your base and attack the opposing base. You even have access to boats! Your opposing force has the same layout and options that you do. Another interesting feature is that you can see exactly what your opponent is doing the whole time, this way you can adjust your strategy to what your opponent’s strategy.

There are many things I like about R.A.D. the first one that comes to mind though many would call a silly little thing, but it brought a big grin to my face the first time I heard it. When you transform you plane in to a robot and vice versa you hear the sound (or a very similar one) from the old cartoon Transformers that they made when they transformed. They also provided a tutorial to help get you going the first time you play, it takes you through step by step on how to create, assign, and deploy your troops and other critical things you must do if you wish to achieve success in the game. I enjoyed the fact that they included a way to change the keyboard binding within the game, personally I found the default binding somewhat awkward, but once changed it made the game much easier.

All in all I would say R.A.D. is a great little RTS, especially for an amateur production. It gives the classic elements of a solid RTS, such as resource building and a varied army of different types of troops. Its also adds a interesting spin on the whole thing with you being a central character within the battle, picking up and dropping your units and changing their actions how ever you see fit. In future versions of R.A.D. it looks like they are going to implement network multiplayer and this should also add to re-playability. In closing I would definitely recommend this to an RTS fan looking for something different in the genre. If that is you I suggest you check it out!

Fun: 9 – I really enjoyed playing R.A.D. and I’m sure whenever I am in the mood for some RTS action I will be starting it up again.

Concept: 9 – While not a completely original in every sense, it has taken away the point and click ability that is in just about every RTS that comes to mind, instead it gives you a position on the battlefield so you can personally take part in the action.

Overall: 9 – A great game with good graphics and great game play! Added: January 7th 2003
Reviewer: Philip Loyer
Score:
Related Link: RAD Screenshots
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Language: english