Advice For New Commanders

Ninety-Nine Nights™ combines strategy with fast-paced button-dancing goodness. In the beginning, you'll work your buttons more, but as the game progresses, you'll gave to rely more and more on strategy in order to overcome larger, smarter and more complex waves of enemy troops.

It's a no-brainer when you're up against a slobbering hoard of goblins with swords and bows, but eventually these disposable soldiers bring along magic users and/or buffed-up trolls.

Inphyy commands her troops.

In order to understand the strategy for Ninety-Nine Nights, you have to understand how the game works. In particular, remember that your main character is your best weapon. Sure, your units can kill the enemy, but not nearly as efficiently as you do. They're mainly there to keep the full heat off you while you mow goblin grass, so to speak.

In the beginning, your units may seem useless, but don't be fooled. It won't take long for them to be all that stands between you and being overwhelmed.

Leadership
Being a leader isn't always easy in real life, and it's certainly not always easy in Ninety-Nine Nights. Before every mission, you must choose the units you will bring with you. To start with, you will only be able to choose two units, from a group of four: archers, infantrymen, pikemen, and heavy infantry. Pay attention to the mission type to know what kind of units you should choose.

You use the bumper buttons to direct your troops, directing them to follow or stay behind. Make sure to keep your fingers off them when you're not giving orders, or you may find yourself going into battle with half your troops left behind!

The more kills you get, the more you can
build special combos and power moves.

Check the commands issued to your units before you move out of an area. You do have to be with the units in order to check their commands, so expect some backtracking.

The D-pad issues the orders to attack and defend. The effect of your choice will not be immediate, but will make a substantial difference in the course of your battle. This isn't, however, a time-driven action. Your troops will not be more effective if you hit attack at just the right moment. Use the Defend command primarily to keep your troops from rushing headlong into battle before you're ready.  

Bring on the nasties!

Escalation
While fighting in Ninety-Nine Nights, you will literally dive into a sea of goblins, orcs and other monsters. Don't even pretend to try maintaining battle lines. Hurl yourself into the enemy's midst and look for the most dangerous elements. Take them out first.

If you see a magic user, make them a priority. If fire is heavy, you may want to rush to the rear and attack the archers first. Once you close on them, they'll drop their bows and become regular infantry. The reverse of this strategy is do not let this happen to you. If your archers become infantry at the beginning of the battle, then they've been wasted.

Once in the thick of it, make taking out groups of enemies your focus. The more kills you get, the more you can build special combos and power moves. Don't waste these on a handful of goblins. Bank them for when they could really make a difference. Likewise, keep your eyes open in battle. Cleaving your way through a horde of orcs can be intense, but you might also miss power-ups and extra equipment on the field.

They're right where she wants them. Really.

Momentum
Different button combinations will determine which attack you use. Each attack moves you forward to different degrees, and you control which direction your battle carries you with the left thumbstick. The small, economical attacks are better for isolated enemies or small groups. The special Orb attacks will send you crashing about, dealing wicked destruction, so you should save those for the perfect time when you can decimate a whole crew of orcs.

The best tip you can take away comes from the game's subtitled dialogue is this: "Don't get disconcerted. Keep advancing." If you ever stop, you'll get into more trouble than you can get yourself into. Dive in, and keep going. With a game as massive as this, that's the best advice there is.

Article by Angel Leigh McCoy