Warlocked

Game Details:

"Warlocked" is a real-time strategy game tailored for the Game Boy Color platform. Its achievement lies in successfully condensing the core fun of PC RTS games like "Warcraft" into a handheld console with limited capabilities. The game offers two distinct factions, Human and Orc, each with unique units, buildings, and spells (called "Chants"). Players need to control their own Gremlins or Imps to collect gold and magic, build barracks, farms, towers, and other buildings, and produce combat units like warriors, archers, dragons, and catapults. The game includes a 15-level campaign mode, a multiplayer mode that supports online play, and a map editor, making for extremely rich content.

Editor's Recommendation:

This game is recommended to all players who enjoy strategy games and are interested in gaming history. "Warlocked" is a technical miracle, proving that intense and exciting real-time strategic battles can be played on a small-screen handheld console with only buttons. Its operations are optimized very well, and the unit AI is intelligent, allowing you to easily command a large army to fight. The dual-faction setting provides extremely high replayability, and the built-in map editor greatly extends the game's lifespan. Although the graphics are retro pixel style, its gameplay is no less than that of contemporary PC masterpieces. If you want to experience a unique fun on the GBC that is different from RPGs or action games, then "Warlocked" is definitely a hidden gem that you must play.

Game Guide:

In "Warlocked" an efficient opening and the right unit composition are the keys to victory. The Human faction excels at defense and ranged attacks, and a stable opening flow can give you a huge advantage.

Opening Flow:

1. Immediately collect resources: Immediately after the game starts, direct your Gremlin to collect the nearest gold mine first, then collect the magic pool. Make sure both resources are continuously collected.
2. Building order: As soon as you have enough resources, prioritize building farms to increase population limits, followed by barracks. This is the basis for your military power production.
3. Early units: After the barracks are built, immediately start producing warriors. They are cheap and reliable melee units, used for early defense and map exploration.

Core Units and Tactics:

1. Warrior + Archer combo: This is the basic all-around unit of the Humans. Let the warriors stand in the front to absorb damage, and the archers output in the back row. This combination can deal with most early encounters.
2. Dragons: This is the mid-game trump card unit of the Humans. They have the ability to fly and attack from a distance, can ignore terrain and cause huge threats to ground units, and are especially good at destroying enemy buildings. But be careful, they are very fragile and need the protection of other units to avoid being targeted by enemy ranged units or towers.
3. Spell usage: Don't forget to use spells. The Human's "Heal" spell is crucial and allows your frontline main force to continue fighting, reducing losses. "Fireball" is a good helper for dealing with dense enemy troops or demolishing buildings.

Tactical Points:

When attacking, try to form your units (units will coordinate by default) and use the "Attack" command (A button) to focus fire on the enemy's key targets, such as barracks or farms, to curb the enemy's development. When defending, building arrow towers at key intersections can effectively resist the enemy's early rush. Remember, continuous expansion and resource collection are the cornerstones of victory.