If you hunger for good looking Space simulators, you might want to settle for Darkstar one. I have. But too be honest, it is one of these games that have little to offer beyond graphics. The gameplay is simple, perhaps a bit too simple. All the fights feel exactly the same and with the best weapon in the hands of specific enemies, you'll find that you have nothing you really need to buy beyond the bare basics. You can upgrade your ship in different ways but you end up building up a fighter or a trader. Since the only interesting thing you can do in the game is fight- there's little incentive to upgrade your ship into anything other then a fighter. And that's it. Bland characters and a bland story provide absolutely no interest when they are not annoying as hell. And you find your self just settling into the routine of entering a new area. Note the system plagued by pirates, defeat them at their base take new weapon, collect all upgrades and then watch a boring cutsene so you can unlock a new area and repeat the process. Your better off playing Freespace. At least it has mods. A-Ha.
This game had not much of a chance, as most action first person shooters released around 1998. Half-Life dominated the market and if I have not received this game free with a purchase of a local magazine around 1999, I would have never have played it. And what a shame would it have been. Because Shogo: MAD, is one of the funnest and interesting shooters I have ever played. It's Anime inspired visuals and story are still as rare sight as when it came out. And for whatever twisted reason I still remember the tune of the J-pop song accompanying the intro. Too bad a planned expansion to this game was scrapped before release. Sometimes It's all about timing. A few more months or a few less, might have allowed this gem to shine. Alas, it fell under Half-Life's shadow...
There's not much to say other then that.
What a game! Not only full of brilliant humor and wit, not only the one of the most original and colorful game-worlds, but a gameplay years ahead everything of it's time. Definitely one of my favorite games. Timmy!!!!!
I remember my first time, playing Fallout. It was the first time that I understood the power that video games have. I cried at the ending and found my self coming back to this game again and again. No contest. This is the game that influenced my life more then any other.
A fascinating adventure built as a psychological thriller. It's a game that tried to do almost everything in a new way. It misses a bit (when it comes to the controls for example) but it manage to surprise you and challenge you in interesting ways. An unforgettable experience.
While there are smarter adventure games and surly better looking ones, few can rival BASS' originality and unique setting. Introducing the player to a world that is both familiar and alien. One of those games that you never forget, even after a decade.
