The tactical map where the action is taking place takes up the majority of the screen, but in the lower-right-hand corner is the strategic map that indicates the position of units and landmarks as the player explores the map. Holding the R button will blow this map up for more careful examination and faster pointer movement.

In addition to the mighty physical arsenal the player has at his command, magic also plays a part in Goblin Commander. Moonstones may be purchased at observatories. These color-coded stones enhance the damage done by their associated clan. A second type of magic uses Runestones which are found either on the map or purchased in an alchemist shop. They are more specific in nature, like a lightening storm, and affect only the area around the pointer. Only two magic items may be carried at a time. Spells are cast by holding down the Z button and then pushing either the L or R button, depending on the magic inventory slot they occupy.

The game eases the player into controlling his units nicely. At the start the player goes through a brief tutorial run and then begins controlling just one clan in battle, then two and finally three.

Actual campaign missions are where Goblin Commander gets a bit of a gig on points. Sometimes it can be hard to find objectives. One in particular was destroying the poison herb harvest of the Plaguespitter clan. I managed to kill every living Plaguespitter on the map and, I thought, destroy all their plants. Nope! I had to look forever for that last plant. I was ready to throw the controller.

There is a two-player skirmish mode that lets players choose tribes, starting resources and a map and then hack and slash at one another. It's pretty good action really. I'm looking forward to exploring this further with my gaming group.

Graphics are adequate for the task but are not up to the best the GameCube can offer. Individual units can be difficult to pick out. Background detail is only fair. Sound is worse, with lulls in the audio that I was not sure were bugs or intentional.

Goblin Commander: Unleash The Hoard may not be perfect, but it is seriously fun and I found myself playing this game late into the night just trying to beat "one more mission." The end credits say that many goblins were killed in the making of this game. There are a few thousand killed in the playing of it too. If you'd like a good RTS game on your GameCube, pick up Goblin Commander: Unleash The Hoard. I don't think you'll be sorry.