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Joint Task Force

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.2 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 31 critic reviews
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Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: HD Publishing / Vivendi Universal / Sierra

Developer: Most Wanted Entertainment

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: September 12, 2006

Summary

Joint Task Force portrays a future that could easily become reality: In 2007, neither the US, UN nor NATO have the power to pacify the numerous combat hot spots blazing around the globe. To quell the global rise of terrorism, dictators and insurgents, Western Leaders create the Joint Task Force – an ultramodern and highly elite military squad. The player takes control of the JTF to combat various oppressive regimes around the world. [HD Publishing]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

GameZone

It boasts simplistic, pick-up-and-play mechanics that make this one an absolute blast for short or even long gaming spurts. It doesn’t skimp on depth despite its simplicity, either.

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Gaming Age

Military actions will no longer be made from the other side of the ocean, but where it really matters. Responsibility will be put into the hands of the men who represent our great country.

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PALGN

The game’s campaign mode is very engaging and fun, with a reliance of strategy the key factor in winning. While the other modes aren’t quite as enjoyable, they do enough to offer a different perspective to the game, especially the co-op mode.

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games(TM)

It’s rare that a strategy game should possess so many levels of complexity and that they should all be so rewarding...Variety is JTF’s strength and it flows to every corner of the game. [Nov 2006, p.122]

AceGamez

A decent enough, varied and often fun game that could and should have been more, but as it stands, while it strived for more ambitious goals, in the end it's just your typical RTS with killer looks and some nice, underdeveloped ideas.

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RewiredMind

With graphics almost fit for an FPS and lots of "shiny", plus real military hardware recreated in great detail, it's also a title to get the gaming enthusiasts rig warmed up as it draws them steadily into addiction.

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Strategy Informer

The ability to drive everything and anything combined with the detailed levels and highly flexible units makes it a very realistic experience for an RTS and it's not far off being the modern-warfare version of "Company of Heroes."

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Pelit (Finland)

Has moments of greatness but is ultimately a disappointment. Most of the problems can be attributed to incompleteness: there are some serious scripting issues, the game crashes regularly and the vehicle AI is laughable. When everything works, the game is quite enjoyable. [Dec 2006]

PC Format

Explosive fun with a conscience; refreshing and interesting stuff. [Nov 2006, p.92]

PC Gamer UK

I suspect that somewhere in Joint Task Force there's a 90% game dying to break out. But at the moment, it's pinned down under enemy fire. [Nov 2006, p.88]

Gamer's Hell

The enjoyment in Joint Task Force does not come out of adrenaline-laced combat or any sort of quick thrills; instead, it comes from the satisfaction of seeing a well-laid strategy work.

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PC Zone UK

With the superior "Company of Heroes" looming over the proceedings, JTF's lovely graphics, underused media twist and modern settings mask a solid but perhaps rather uninspired take on the genre. [Dec 2006, p.82]

Computer Games Online RO

Taking into consideration the awful unit micromanagement I can’t really recommend the single-player campaign, other than for those who are really interested in the storyline. For the rest of the RTS fans out there, the multiplayer will be the main course.

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ActionTrip

JTF was an experience bordering on mediocre that only managed to rise sporadically above my overall impression of it.

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PC Gamer

Though eclipsed by "Company of Heroes," JTF is a tough but attractive military RTS. [Holiday 2006, p.74]

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Just watch out for that evil installer. And don’t forget the hefty patch. And try not to lose patience with the micromanagement. Oh, and… did we mention you’d have more fun playing "Company of Heroes"?

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Boomtown

It’s just a shame that the resource model aspect didn’t pan out quite as I’m sure the developer envisioned, while the handful of other little annoyances ensure that the gameplay never lives up to the excellent visuals.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Joint Task Force delivers a distinctive and modern interpretation of real-time strategy, enjoyable in its own quirky way. It ain't perfect, but it proves fulfilling once you've taken a few learning curve lumps.

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Armchair Empire

Its presentation and slick detail are a credit to the developers, but the often laborious pace will put off those seeking more intensity in their RTS offerings.

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GameSpot

Joint Task Force's theme of modern military intervention to solve the world's ills seems fitting, as it shows how good ideas can get bogged down in reality.

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Gamezilla!

As far as my ears went, I think the jarringly bad voice acting, especially with units that are talking regularly, is what really killed me.

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Game Over Online

They’ve built a good RTS engine with several noteworthy features, and then ruined the single-player game with a lackluster control scheme, pathfinding issues, and a positively moronic enemy AI. But if you go multiplayer, get away from most of that, and find yourself a competent adversary, then I’m pretty happy with JTF.

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Play.tm

Playing through the missions is an experience filled with spectacular highs stunted by lows which unstoppably avert your attention from a title that, by rights, deserves to have turned out better than it has.

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VideoGamer

As interesting as some of its ideas are though, this seems doomed to having them all stolen by subsequent titles that can actually incorporate them into a game with some proper strategy and depth.

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Eurogamer

The missions are beautifully detailed, but characterless. The acting is just a few inflections the wrong side of ham. The units simply don't pack the punch you want from modern combat, and that lack of zing is pretty much found throughout the game.

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IGN

Then there's the fact that many of the game's units get wiped out very quickly, usually forcing a reload if they were on the more expensive side. Add atrocious vehicle pathing to that equation and you'll find the result to be frequent frustration.

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Game Chronicles

Joint Task Force feels very much like a game that is not finished or complete.

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Computer Games Magazine

It doesn’t help that this has been a great year for real-time strategy. Three years ago, Joint Task Force would have stood out. [Dec. 2006, p.74]

Worth Playing

Joint Task Force isn't as bad as "Faces of War," but it's nowhere near the quality of "Company of Heroes."

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GameDaily

If Joint Task Force is remembered years from now, it will be because it has a really good theme, with some nice ideas, but overall bad execution. That is, unless people are far more distracted by the bad voice acting.

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GameSpy

When considered as a game separate from its good ideas, JTF comes up as decidedly mediocre. I'm a believer in deeper and more meaningful games -- just not at the expense of gameplay.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Edward D. gave it an8:
7.5 for me. The game has its good and bad points, but I think the good outweigh the bad. The game has a tendancy to crash which can be quite aggrivating when it happens time after time. However, I think the game play is well executed with the exception of the unit navigation. The environments are awesome, and while the units are expensive and poor judgements in purchasing units can cause you to need to restart the level, what is expected in the strategy field? I find it better than some RTS games, and worse than some. Everyone on this site seems to compare the game to Company of Heroes, but that is like oranges to tangerines. Same class, but completely different. I think this game contains many concepts that RTS games should incorporate, such as the fact that you cannot always just go to a barraks and out pops more soldiers! No. That is not always an option in a warzone. You have to make due with what you have, and that game delivers that concept the best of any RTS I have played.

Spencer G. gave it an8:
The game does not have new amazing features, but it is a good time killer with good game play.

Roger gave it a1:
This game needs an overhaul it its full of bugs in multiplayer mode. if the game worked it would be fun to play but the bugs keep you form enjoying the game. come on people fix your games or don't even release them to the public for sale. your wasting our money.

Zzzz gave it a6:
6.5 would be my more accurate impression. Multiplayer is a ripoff of DoW, too much micromanagement. CoH have raised the bar. My tanks in JTF drive around chain link fences. After playing CoH the new expectation is that they should have driven over the fences. Same thing happens in real life. Car in the way? Should be crushed. Instead, they try to drive around it. Unit ranges are a good touch Gameplay is very old school, like generals and eve classic C&C, basically tank rushing or artillery bombarment. Not much strategy per se. Whereas in CoH, I really enjoyed the mini tactical battles that often play out, like taking tanks down with infantry, and sniper vs sniper showdowns.

Matt H. gave it a9:
I think the reviewers are crazy, lazy, or bad at RTS games. I cannot believe the nonsense I am reading. It's at least as good as Act of War, and certainly as good as Generals. Also, no review mentions you can play the single player campaign co-op with a friend.

Bob gave it an8:
This game is good fun, but nothing special. I was slightly put off by the demo, but bought the full game because I like the way your soldiers can rank up if they make it thru the missions. Graphics are good, and I am certainly enjoying this game, but I think it will get overlooked as people rush to buy CoH.

Ron R. gave it a9:
Finally a great modern combat RTS game. What a rush!

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What The Critics Said

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