Due to the popularity of Duke Nukem 3D, Manhattan Project has slid by unnoticed by the general public. This is a shame, as Manhattan Project seeks to return to the root of the series, which is a side-scrolling platform shooter. It does this amazingly well, and it is a game that should not be passed up by fans of Duke Nukem or platform games. The gameplay side of Manhattan Project feels very solid. As Duke, you must fight your way through 8 chapters (divided in three parts each) of various mutants and female cyborgs as you make your way to Morphix, a power hungry mad man. You start out with only a pistol and a melee attack, but you will soon be blasting your way through levels with up to eight different weapons, with a bonus unlockable if you meet certain criteria. The weapons feel satisfying, and the melee attack should not be underestimated when ammo is low. To increase Duke's stats, the player can hunt 10 secret items in each level, giving the game a slight puzzle aspect as well since some are very well hidden. Movement and controls feel responsive, which is one of the most important aspects for any platform game. Along with basic movements, Duke can double jump between areas or use jetpacks for hard to reach areas. The player can also easily grab onto ledges, using them to dodge enemies and reach greater heights. All-in-all, controls and movement felt very natural. Sound wise, the game is also well done. Duke's famous one-liners can be pretty entertaining at times, and the voices of other characters are also top-notch. The fem-mech voices especially stand out for some reason. The weapon sounds pack a punch, and the ambient background noise fits most situations. There are a few minor downsides to the game, but nothing that should keep people away from the game. First off, the game is very straightforward and little changes in the way of gameplay, other than increased difficulty and a change of tactics as you encounter new enemies. I consider the boss battles fairly average as well. They are fun, but can also be easily exploited if the player chooses to do so. The only other downside is some one-liners are overly repetitive, and may hinge on the nerves of a few. Despite those few issues though, I gave the game five stars. I had a great time playing, and it hit the sweet spot for a side-scrolling platform game. It was fun, humorous, and played well for the style game it is. Additionally, I used a 360 controller to play, which the game recognized with absolutely no problems. Notes: Make sure you set the game to OpenGL, as double jumping becomes quirky under Direct3D.
Fallout is one of the few games that can truly be called a classic. Modern games today fare poorly to what Fallout provides. The most noticeable aspect of this game is the amount of wit and humor that is added into it. Depending on the stats you set for your character, you can be anything from a downright idiot who is unable to talk coherently to a witty and clever adventurer. Both are entertaining, and it provides a great deal of replayability to the game as it constantly changes depending on your stats. Although it seems a little slow at the start, the game picks up quickly and becomes addicting with a well written story line, and characters you will not forget. This game is a must for any RPG lover, or someone looking for an introduction to the genre.
