Eradicator

Eradicator is quite typical of the late 90s. A sci-fi plot with 'x-tr33m badassitude' bordering on Image Comics silliness (Dan with his metal skullcap is a good example), dark and brooding ambience with cyborgs and explosions, but at the same times interesting mechanics (with secrets to find, interactive environments and multi-layered levels). The controls are simple but fine, there is a staggering 15 weapons (easily a year before the Turok games went overboard with it) each character has a personal gun and their own plot. The graphics, being sprite-based, did not age that well (also because they're based on low-res GC render), but it's nothing eye searing. Sounds are a mixed bag, while the guns, alarm voices and explosions work quite well, the characters' banter is lifeless and add nothing in the end. The music is nice, mixing basic ambient industrial and basic industrial rock, and the CD version offers redbook music, which is very pleasant. Unfortunately multiplayer will be hard to use, being restricted to modem or serial play according to 1996 DOS stardards. Levels are built around the idea of searching everywhere for hidden stashes of ammo and power-ups, and function on an objective-based script rather than a key hunt structure, which might mean a bit more backtracking in later stages and much more experimentation (for example, in the third level of Eleena's story you can explore the whole stage by hacking a security drone) than DooM or Heretic's labyrinths. The controls are fairly responsive, but the camera focus is a bit close, making jumps a bit tedious. All in all, Eradicator has the same quirky feel as PO'ed (also an Accolade game, so maybe it's got the same devs, since #poed is a cheat in Eradicator), and is definitely a nice FPS if you can overlook the aged sprites, the dumb plot and the cyborg-calypse design. It got released around the time Quake got a 3DFx patch, so it bombed, but now that i's on GOG, give it a chance, it deserves it.

I remember buying this game on CD-ROM when it first came out... I bought a LOT of FPS games at the time (Strife, Cybermage, Chasm: The Rift, etc.) and this one still stands out in my memory. First, there were multiple characters from which to choose, which I had not seen before. Secondly, there were cool items like remote controlled devices to drive, allowing you to flip switches your character couldn't reach - you could even look at your self through the devices camera which was pretty cool. Third, you could play from the first-person or third-person perspective; I hate third-person views but I appreciate the options which I don't recall seeing in other FPS games of the time. Like I said earlier, I bought a LOT of FPS games and the level design, enemies, items, weapons, and characters all combined to make for a really unique and enjoyable game; I'm really excited to be able to add it to my GOG library while my CD-ROM version can take a well deserved rest.

I gave this a 3-star rating, which to me means "average in every way." I seldom give anything a 5-star rating (which means "the absolute best of the best") nor a 1-star rating (which means "terrible"). And a 3-star rating is EXACTLY what the game deserves. That's not a slam on the game, and I'm not discouraging anyone from playing it... it's fun. It's just not "special." Basically, this is another "Build-engine" game (the engine that Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, etc, were made on). This is a slightly more serious story than those others... but still very "comic book" in nature (just lacking the parody element). Gameplay is nearly indistinguishable from other Build-engine games, of course... but thankfully, the "key hunt" was left out (however, backtracking is still necessary... but for more reasonable reasons, in my opinion). I got this game with, as memory serves, a SoundBlaster AWE sound card bundled (as disk, of course)... and I bought the GoG version recently, since it's inexpensive and I'm a "completist." If you want a fun, fairly lengthy (without being TOO repetitive) 90s-style shooter, you won't go wrong with this. But don't expect to be thinking about the story or the experience once it's all over with (as the very best games, which really draw the player in, tend to do). For the price, you can't beat it.

Doesn't look like much, but it's a blast to play. I bought this game way back in the 90's and I've played it almost as much over the years as I've played Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior. Lots of weapons, fun level design, good feel to the mechanics, interesting and unusual style. It might seem offputting at first, but once you get into this strange sci-fi world, it's got quite an atmosphere. The music/ambience is very effective. It's on my list of 90's FPS favorites, along with Rise of the Triad, Duke 3D, Shadow Warrior, Doom and Doom 2. Doesn't cost a lot, so if you love games like this...

Surprisingly long and good. Challenging, fun, a bit too dark, nice combat. A must-have for collectors!