Can't really say too much about this version of the game, presented by GOG, as it's currently not playable, and what fixes are available either fail or don't work well enough to be able to play. I had it before problems like this existed, and I gave it 4/5. But this . . . being unable to play is worth less than 1/5.
READ FIRST BEFORE BUYING I will warn the buyer that this is NOT a supersoldier style FPS game. Period . . . this is a very niche First Person Grim Adventure game. You are not a bioenhanced human, you're some poor sod who got stuck in a world that's as confusing as it is morbidly beautiful. YOu go into this game and get sucked into it's macabre atmosphere, you don't know who you are, where you are, or why you're there . . . you just have prompts and puzzles guiding you in a direction to which the outcome is both horrific and induces a primal level of despair. Pros: The game is simple, walk/run, aim/shoot, interact/move. There's no jumping and doing somersaults because you're not a soldier . . . in truth, you don't know what you are. And while there are weapons, they're not the focus but a tool to help you move around. Art, sound, atmosphere, movements, interactions are all very fluid, and with the exception of the end, few to no cutscenes. Visuals, Sounds, Interactions, I rate a solid 8-9/10. Cons: THIS GAME IS NICHE . . . it has more in common with a interactive art work than an actual "game" like Gears of War or HALF-LIFE. My only real gripe about the game is the length . . . you can finish it in 6 hours or so, assuming you're just interested in going start to finish without admiring the art and the message it conveys. Play Time, Replayability are sadly a 6/10, but that's why should buy the deluxe edition with it's artbook so it doesn't feel like a total loss. Overall I rate this game 4/5 because it's a breath of fresh air compared to most fast paced games these days . . . sometimes, you just want a slow walk through an atmospheric hellscape.
I would love to give this game a better review, I really would . . . but as it stands right now, I'm more than a little disappointed. I'm a fan of bad news before good, so here's my problems (note: based on a single player perspective): 1) Little to no direction: As much as I can appreciate near-open world game, this one is lacking in indicating direction for the player. Now, I understand the need to explore and mentally map things out, but at the same time a little , "Try to find " to help progress the story along would be nice. 2) Forced items: In the early game, there's clearly a bias for melee only combat, but the enemies you need to pass are either too easy, or way too hard. The only way I got through once was by using one of the item codes to get a gun, and that helped a LOT while not taking away much of the difficulty. It felt more balanced and goal oriented instead of, "Here . . . axe, shield, good luck . . . oh, and you're screwed if you get stunned." Doesn't help that with the first boss encounter, if you dont have a ranged weapon, there's really no way to beat it. 3) Saves? What saves?: I'm not entirely sure how the save games work here, but even after beating the boss, and getting to the observatory before calling it a day, I come back a week later, I've lost several levels, and have to go through that all over again? Who comes up with this mess? If I make progress, why am I losing progress when I can't return to the game for a week? And to actually save, I have to obtain an in game item? I'm about to lose my mind . . . $35 is NOT worth the frustration. One word: SLOPPY (well, there's a worse word that's better, but I'm trying to keep it civil). And now the parts I like: Hopefully changes will be made to improve the overall experience as not everyone wants to run a group online, or has the time to. I kinda want to see this game do better, but they need to address some things before I put more time into it.
I don't know if this version was improved, but I remember enjoying this game, and dying a bit inside for every day I had to wait for it to come out. It was the perfect homage to classic Mecha anime and related cartoons growing up. Custom mech combat, 3 combat territories, support vehicles and buildings . . . it was what games like C&C and EARTH 2100 series games wanted to be (at least visually). Nothing like a long range combat with twin gattling arms, cannon torso (or legs), and Jet legs (or torso). Or on the ground, your gladiator of a combot with power sword, power shield, shielded body, etc. Loved that aspect of the game to all ends. Sound: This is 2 parts, sound track and sound effects. At the time, I loved the sound track (sounded like military mixed with marching band). But, the unit sounds in the game are generic with most of the unit sounding robotic and lifeless. Gameplay: Pretty good and fluid, even with the 3 levels of conflict (air, land, subterranean). The underground aspect was interesting to be sure, but was kinda meh, even though you had to for resources. The other two were spectacular, putting the mechs against each other on land or in the sky. AI: The AI was competent, but there were times that it seemed to "cheat." But that aside, there were bugs when playing this game, which I hope have been addressed in the GOG version (I remember getting deadlocked in the campaign a few times, or the Neuropa missions being unavailable even after putting the CD in). So, even if you skip the campaign and go to the quick play or multiplayer, you'll likely see where the game truly shines. May adjust my review pending on the GOG release.
I remember when this game came out, a Special Edition version later released for a voucher with big dog for a pair of underwear (as you'd shit yourself the first time playing this game). The only downside I had with this game was the final Alien mission . . . easy to get turned around with the buggers, so hard to get to the exit. Audio: Excellent mash up from the 2 movies (though veered more towards the Alien side of things). Ambient and creepy as all hell (especially once you get into the Hive's next <shudder>) Graphics: Great for the time, but the artwork is where it's at, doing the genre a LOT of justice (especially to the Alien(s) side of things). Game play: Controls are very straightforward, though melee can be a bit awkward sometimes (especially as the Xenomorph). Word of warning, if you are new to the franchise, playing as the Xenomorph can cause dizziness as you're running along walls, ceilings, and air shafts. Storyline: Not much here . . . Colonial compound for WY Industries, and they have a distinct Hive under their control (then all hell breaks loose). The local Marines are mobilized, and the Predators are there for a bit of sport. "If it bleeds, we can kill it," will be the statement echoing in your mind the entire time (along with "You are one ugly mother fucker," and "Get away from [me] you BITCH!"). Gave this game 5/5 mainly for nostalgia, and the urge to scare myself again . . . wait, did I just hear something in the ventilation shaft? <goes to check>
If ever there was a Star Wars RPG done right, KOTOR is it, and will always be it. I played this game years ago, some time after Neverwinter Nights (another Bioware game done right) and Bioware has never ceased to amaze me with their story telling, gameplay, and overall storybook style setup. While the premise is simple: you're a random <class> in the middle of a war who's lost some memory. You find out you're a jedi, trained, and sent to push back the Sith (as KOTOR takes place several thousands of years before Phantom Menace). In the end, you choose: light side or dark side, and your decisions and powers allow you to determine how this pans out (though force lightning is a must in my opinion, it's too handy to pass up). And I must prepare you now: HK-47 is the BEST DAMN CHARACTER EVER, as he's both a serious killing machine as well as plucky comic relief (think C3-P0, give him a blaster, and the personality of Deadpool). "I would much rather this get bloody, master," will make you laugh every time. Now, for the serious stuff: Gameplay: Simple and direct - kill stuff, pick up loot, equip your characters; a must for any noteworthy RPG. The combat is also very manageable, using the stop/start mechanic to plan out your actions and then execute. Music/Sound: What can I say, this IS Star Wars. The music fits the locales and situations (mellow and calming for cities, tempestuous and exciting for combat). The only gripe is that your character doesn't really have a voice (much like in Neverwinter Nights, he/she generates random sounds based on actions). Visuals: While the graphics are dated, they do still convey the world of Star Wars quite well. What it lacks in dept, it makes up for in texturing and decals. For example, there is an amphibious species who's skin does in fact look slick and smooth, and of course the Hutts look like bigass worms. It also get the physics right, giving the impression of wind on desert or jungle worlds with shifting sand or swaying grass. Overall, 5/5 for it's time . . . and all time.
I remember it being my birthday, and I saw this gem sitting on the shelf at a Wal-Mart. It was true we had Starcraft before this game, and it rocked our world. My younger brother even tried talking me out of getting this. We were all shocked and amazed when I opened this up. No "Crop Harvesting", just build, assemble, attack. If one arrangement of units didn't work, fall back to base and chuck out something different. Got enough resources, make the super unit and waltz right in (or 2 . . . or 3 . . .). Take the high ground for better range, the sky for harassing enemies, or sneak in some bots through the maze. Yes, the story is baseline crap (but still sets a decent stage as an excuse to blow stuff up). Effects, units, and story aside, the music is definitely worth it alone, setting the mood for every encounter. There's a bit of something in this game for every gamer (even some downloadable units and mods, if the site still exists). Give this gem a chance and you won't likely be disappointed.
Time once was that you could only pilot mechs as a simulator, but this was one of those gems for PC that put it on par with Armored Core: Fast-Paced, Full Auto fun. Granted, I was only able to play it once (windows took a "upgrade" turn later that made the game unplayable), but if you enjoyed Armored Core, this too will give you some level of satisfaction. I see a lot of reviews from people just now playing it for the first time, and you have to remember that back in the mid/late 90s, this was awesome . . . you could literally shoot at the wall and write your name. There was a level of graphics detail here that didnt exist with most other games.
I've always been a fan of RTS games, starting from C&C, and most to present day. Dark Reign 2, as someone mentioned, was flawed as a transition game, but still relatively playable. Pathfinding was a bit trippy, yes, but here was a futuristic game with 3D terrain, interesting PvP scenarios, etc. You have to get into the mindset of the game as there's quite a bit of micromanagement for the ground and sea units. The only thing I didnt really care for at the time was the overspecialized units. A robo mechwalker . . . "cool" . . . but it's anti-air only . . . "oh come on." Otherwise, sound is good, effects were great, and multiplay options were entertaining. The only true problem was the pathfinding . . . just means you need to be a bit pickier about how you place/move units and try not to get agitated when they're trapped at a wall and the opening is right next to them.
