The strategy genre has been an overlooked when it comes to the PSP. Sure, there are some other games that you "could" call a strategy game but none of them in the classic sense of the genre. When I think about a strategy game I usually think about controlling armies of assorted units and vehicles. Until recently nothing came close to filling in that gap on the PSP. Sure, portable gaming fans have been enjoying Advanced Wars on the GBA and DS for a while now, but PSP owners have been left wondering when it was their turn to play. Thankfully the wait is over with the release of Field Commander, the first true turn-based military strategy game for the PSP.

Field Commander is a solid military strategy game that does everything just right. All of the necessary ingredients found in classic strategy games are included within Field Commander. Online Multiplayer, a map editor, downloadable maps, a large variety of units, single-player story mode, quick play, and building management are all included in the confines of one UMD disc. In fact, it's hard to find any flaws or faults in the amount of options available within the game. Field Commander is jammed packed with plenty of options to keep you entertained for hours.

The single-player mode is where you can spend the majority of your time in the game. The premise of the game has you playing the role of a recruit for the Advance Tactical Legion for Allied Security (ATLAS). The goal of ATLAS is to "defend the world against covert organizations whose goals include terrorism, inciting wars, black market trading and global domination." ATLAS is comprised and funded by all of the nations in the world to defend the world against these enemy forces. All of ATLAS' actions remain covert and confidential at all times to retain the utmost secrecy for ATLAS. Your role as a field commander places you in charge of an ATLAS unit in the field of battle.

The single-player campaign mode can be considered a cakewalk to hardcore strategy gamers. The AI of the enemy army will rarely push you into a tough situation. The most difficult part is watching out for different vehicles that are stronger than units you might have on the battlefield. This was usually the only tactic that I found the computer using when I played the campaign mode. During one mission the computer had me outnumbered but still moved all of his units to a single portion of the map to wait for me. This, of course, gave me plenty of time to build up my forces in preparation of attacking. But just because the computer plays easy doesn't mean a battle is over is just a few minutes. Some of the battles can rage on for an hour or longer but thankfully the game allows you to save any game (even online multiplayer) during a battle. Unlike some other strategy games you've might have played in the past you're not stuck in a battle with no option of picking it up later. The biggest reason to play through the campaign mode is the unlockable content that you earn after winning a battle. After each successful battle you unlock the map you just played on and any troops/units that might have been specific for that battle.

From a graphic standpoint the game looks good with some great special effects for explosions and large attacks. However, the units all have a similar look to them which can make it difficult to distinguish between them. For example, during one battle I was moving one on my half-tracks (think of it as a mini-tank) when I came upon what I though was an enemy half-track. Only after watching my half-track blow up after just one hit did I realize that I wasn't attacking a half-track. The enemy's unit was a real tank, but it sure looked similar to a half-track, which looks almost similar to a truck, which looks almost identical to a transport ship. Even the buildings run into the same problem with some of the buildings, notably your headquarters and factories, looking almost identical. Thankfully the game allows you to view a picture of each unit with detailed specifics for each unit. All of the game is presented in an over-the-top camera angle but with no ability to zoom in for a closer view of the map.

The sound aspect of the game needs to be applauded for including voice acting in a portable game. Each character, such as the other field commanders and your generals, all have their own unique voices that you listen to during different parts of the game. I'm not talking about just a few short phrases being voiced, instead all of the story in the game unfolds with the commentary of the different characters in the game. Even your foot soldiers will yell out to you during the game to let you know their ready for action. You might not need the voice acting to get a better appreciation for the game but it's a nice addition to hear coming out of the PSP speakers.

Field Commander tries to do everything just perfect but still manages to come up short in being an incredible game. The game just doesn't excel in the creating something new for gamers, especially fans of strategy games. In fact, when compared to its nearest competitor (Advance Wars on the DS) Field Commander just doesn't have the style or atmosphere to really draw you in. The game does what it can to keep you engaged but I felt that I was just going through the motions just to unlock items in the game. It's such a thin line between being great and being good that it's probably just a personal difference. I might not think Field Commander is a great game but the next person that plays it could find it to be the best game they've played in a while. For the PSP Field Commander is in a class of its own, but when compared to other strategy games it just doesn't do enough to be considered top of its class.

Gameplay: 7.4
If it wasn't for the lacking AI the game would have provided a much more intense gameplay experience. The game just doesn't excel in standing above other turn-based military strategy games.

Graphics: 7.6
The game is really trying to prove that it's a graphic powerhouse by having great touches such as snow falling, swooping camera angles and massive explosions. But the majority of the buildings and units in the game look almost identical to each other.

Sound: 8.0
The sound effects and voice acting in the game really do a great job of setting the tone and atmosphere of the game. Just hearing so much voice acting in a portable game is still a new experience to all of us.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
The lacking AI and ability to save the game during the middle of battles makes this a game that shouldn't be a problem for anyone.

Concept: 7.4
Hey, it's a turn-based military strategy game for the PSP. Just being on the PSP makes it unique but the rest of the game is similar to countless other strategy games.

Multiplayer: 9.0
Sony Online Entertainment threw almost every multiplayer option into Field Commander. The game supports Ad Hoc, Infrastructure, Hot Swap and even a Transmission mode that can be described as play by e-mail (you make you move and then connect to the server to at a later date to find out what move your opponent made). The game even includes the ability to download and upload user-created maps. If you're dying for a online multiplayer game for the PSP then Field Commander is one of the best just because of the amount of online options included.

Overall: 7.9
Field Commander has great elements (the online multiplayer) and normal features (the lacking AI) that is best to be described as a game of taste. You might find it to be the best game for your PSP after just a few minutes while others will probably disagree. But that's why we share our opinions in game reviews, message boards, blogs, podcasts, etc. so you the gamer can make an informed decision.