Words from the Spire http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php Sun, 20 May 2012 12:39:07 -0600 60 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2888
So, let's hear it.]]> Leto Leto Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:24:45 -0700 2888 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2880 - Deleted member awards (PM me in case you didn't save yours in time)
- Deleted name emoticons (namely mine and DeathTrap's)
- Created new forum category, The Madriel Collective (see details below)
- Moved writings over to the new writing forum
- Moved the review archive to the new writing forum
- Pruning iQuotes (132 pages to go!)

STILL TO DO
- Rate mature threads in the artwork & writings forums
- Sift through iQuotes more
- Organize the game design forums



NOTE: I named what will be the creativity "hub" of the forum The Madriel Collective, in honor of our founder (and because it sounds cool). Currently it's sitting on the bottom of the other forums, but as soon as I fix up the game design area, it will be pushed up below the "Regarding Angel Spire" category.]]> Leto Leto Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:03:44 -0700 2880 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2878
So I visited out of nostalgia and, to be quite frank, this forum is far too pretty with too many features to be used for such filth. What's going on? And more importantly, who wants to do something about it?

Here is a modest proposal from someone who's been gone for years who misses the good times here, and who would be willing to help out with any changes that may or may not be agreed upon.

1) Porn's gotta go.
WHY: Not only has it made the forum NSFW, but there are also members under the age of 18 here. Big no-no.
MY PROPOSITION: Move it all to a dedicated subforum or thread with a restriction for those over 18.

2) What is this site for anymore?
WHY: Lot of people are gone, myself included. Lots of competition with other game developing communities.
MY PROPOSITION: Change the focus entirely. I propose rebranding AS as an all-purpose creative forum. Writing, poetry, music, art, AND game development...anything creative welcome.

3) Performance reviews for the staff.
Green, what the hell? Kwij, why did you let him ? Where have I been?

So, here's my ultimatum.

It appears that I still have moderating powers. So, unless Kwij stops me by December 1st, I am CLEANING THIS SHIT UP. Your little naked people trophies will disappear. iQuotes will be pruned. Adult content will be moved to dedicated threads. Mature avatars and signatures will be deleted.

I've got a lot of fond memories here. This was once a good little place, and if we all band together like bros and stop neglecting this place, we can make it better.]]> Leto greenraven Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:12:04 -0700 2878 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2876 Ring Out
PC



First Glance Impression:
Wait, this game is about WHAT?!







In-Depth Look:
Not to be confused with Punch Out or Burn Out any other sports game with a combination of Ring or Out in it's title. Chances are you will stumble across this game by accident while looking for something entirely different, but what you get is this tale of depravity.

You play as Aya Mitsuzaki, the daughter of very poor (and exceptionally ugly) parents. And when your family's debt spirals out of control a nameless man in a black suit comes to take you away to pay off your dues. And this is how you begin your life as a slave in the world of Lesring, lesbian wrestling.



Gameplay Mechanics:
This is one of those graphic novel type games. For the most part you're just going to be doing a lot of reading. Though you do get to make conversation choices every two or three sentences.


Lights & Sounds:
The graphics here a little on the average side, not the greatest but there certainly are worse out there.

The music is also average, though a few of the tunes do stand out slightly above average. Overall it's welcome to listen to.


Story Presentation:
Like most hentai games you will be doing a fair amount of talking, and an even amount of thinking to yourself. The story itself is a bit short, spanning only about one and a half hours.

This game does have multiple endings, but none which involve your freedom. They range from a hysterical "just let me die" to a delirious "please rape me again". But whether it's for the sweet release of death or the masochistic embrace of pain, the end result will be crying.


Replayability:
Low. You can give some of the other endings a try, but the game itself remains largely unchanged.


Multiplayer:
None. This is mostly just a glorified picture book.


Bells & Whistles:
There is a music gallery which comes standard with these types of games. Other than that there isn't anything else worth mentioning.


Perversion Factor:
As far as hentai plots go, this is a pretty standard tale of slavery and humiliation. You protest and resist at every turn, and that only makes things worse for you each and every single time. If you've read one story of a girl being forced into a life bondage and lesbian wrestling, you've pretty much read them all.


Hit or Miss:
+Fighting lesbians.
+Heavy submission/domination theme.
+Music gallery.
+Multiple endings.
-Story is a bit short.


Overall Score: 3/5



Final Thoughts:
This is a pretty average game in almost every aspect, good but not great. It does provide you with alternate endings which is nice, but overall you don't have much of a reason to turn it back on again. Play it and "do yo thang" while you listen to one girl's erotic tale of woe.


]]> greenraven greenraven Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:52:26 -0700 2876 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2875 LoveChess Greek Era
PC



First Glance Impression:
The world's oldest game crossed with the world's oldest activity.







In-Depth Look:
This is a traditional game of chess set to a Greco-Roman theme. But instead of the usual black versus white or red versus blue, this is male versus female. Though there is a king and a queen on both sides.



Gameplay Mechanics:
I certainly hope we won't be needing an explanation on how chess works? Because if we do we're going to be having some serious problems over here, everyone should at least KNOW what chess is at this point in space and time.

This is just your standard game of chess, no crazy wacky special rules, just plain olde chess.

The only thing worth mentioning other than the fact that this is a game of chess is that you get control of a free-roaming camera. You can position it at any angle, zoom in, zoom out, view things from wherever you please.


Lights & Sounds:
The atmosphere to this game is especially grandiose. The chess board presides within a massive temple, the walls of which are covered with extravagant runic paintings. Each of the chess pieces themselves are luxurious (anatomically correct) marble statues adorned with sumptuous ornaments.

The music is both somber and rich with regal splendor. It truly manages to convey the feeling that you're in a place of wonderment.


Story Presentation:
None. Seeing how there aren't any special rules outside the realm of normal chess, the chances of there being a reason for a story is nonexistent.


Replayability:
Staying true to both the "love" and the "chess" halves of this game, you get all the time in the world to do it all over again and again.


Multiplayer:
Sadly none. You can't even play hotseat against someone in the room with you. This is most likely going to cost this game a potential star in the end.


Bells & Whistles:
None, there really really are none.


Perversion Factor:
It's called LOVEchess, isn't it? Each of the chess pieces stands proudly in all their naked glory. And once highlighted they come to life and perform a sexually enticing taunt.

Of course the real action is what happens when they collide. When two chess pieces move into the same square, as it is know to happen in this game as I am told, the camera zooms in and shows you their detailed sexual encounter. In an act of both violence and love one will fade into obscurity while the other remains to dominate the new square.

The walls of the temple you find yourself in are decorated with depictions of many erotic acts and pleasures.


Hit or Miss:
+Good old fashioned chess!
+Good old fashioned porno!
+Arousingly soothing atmosphere.
-Can't play against human opponents.


Overall Score: 4/5



Final Thoughts:
I was having a hard time deciding between giving this game 3 stars or 4 stars. On one hand I was a bit disappointed that there weren't any special rules, not being able to play against other people, and a lack of any bonus goodies and/or modes. On the other hand, you get mythological sex and lots of it. I think it's safe to say that 4th star was the result of the sex.

This is a great game for the sophisticated thinking pervert.


]]> greenraven greenraven Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:33:43 -0700 2875 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2874 Dangerous Toys
PC



First Glance Impression:
Not much beyond the glance, it is as it appears to be.







In-Depth Look:
This is a hentai game. Not one of those that revolves around some crazy "sex magic" or bizarre "sex science". But one of those simpler ones where someone has a basic animalistic urge, so they satisfy it. Just some good old fashion clean porno fun.



Gameplay Mechanics:
There actually isn't any gameplay here at all. In fact this is considered a "graphic novel" where you just simply keep clicking to continue reading along. Though to be fair the average hentai game IS a graphic novel, this one just removes all the tedious walking from location to location.


Lights & Sounds:
The graphics are beautifully detailed and are even animated. The overall quality is slightly above average for hentai games of it's day.

The music is very perky, upbeat, and playful. The quality too is slightly above average for the norm of the time. The tunes here are definitely something you wouldn't mind listening to a few times again.


Story Presentation:
Have you ever turned on a hentai game completely aroused and raging with lust, only to find yourself sitting through hours of dull dialogue and moral decisions before you even get to see your first nipple? Well I've got good news for you, this game completely bypasses all that. There is no "before", there is no "after", there is simply "the act" and once the act is over the game is over. Clean, straight, to the point.

From the main menu you can choose one of ten "episodes" or "encounters". They are not numbered and you can do them in any order you want. Simply select one and you jump straight into the action. And as I said before, the game begins after the clothes have already come off.

From a story related viewpoint the scenarios intertwine as all of the girls know one another. A few of the girls appear in at least one other scenario than their own.

Sadly however each episode only tells the tale of a single instance of love making, as such they only last for about 5 minutes a piece. Still though, ten stories five minutes each comes to a grand total of almost an hour. Not to mention any additional time you might spend to stop and smell the roses. *wink wink*


Replayability:
Have you opened up your favorite book and re-read a favorite chapter? Not really all that different here.


Multiplayer:
I suppose two people can take turns clicking the continue button. But no, there is no multiplayer as there isn't even a player.


Bells & Whistles:
There is a photo gallery which has all the scenes for your viewing pleasure once unlocked.

There is also a music gallery which lets you listen to each of the girl's individual theme songs.


Perversion Factor:
Hentai game, duh. On an interesting sidenote this is entitled Dangerous "Toys", there isn't a single piece of male genitalia to be found anywhere within the boundaries of this game. It's a night of lesbian encounters and masturbation.


Hit or Miss:
+Straight to the point!
+Infinitely replayable.
+Ten intertwining stories.
+Photo gallery.
+Music gallery.
-Each story is rather short.


Overall Score: 4/5



Final Thoughts:
To be honest I think this game only deserves an average 3 stars. However, I do feel that the straightforward approach of not being forced to sit through hours of droning conversations and picking out of the "right" choices to lead you to the metaphorical cheese at the end of the dialogue maze is not only worth an applaud but a bonus star as well. This game strips everything to the bare basics of what a hentai game is at it's core. It's like listening to Tchaikobsky's 1812 Overture and fast-forwarding all the way to the kickass finale at the end.

So go on, turn your brain off, and indulge yourself in a guilty pleasure tonight.


]]> greenraven greenraven Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:02:23 -0700 2874 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2872 XG3
Multi-Platform



First Glance Impression:
Guns and speed, a biker gang's paradise.







In-Depth Look:
In the world of the future the sport of racing has reached unparalleled popularity. So much so that colossal race tracks are built into and run the span of entire cities. Corporations employ teams of professional racers that take corporate competition to a whole new level. Fame and fortune await the brave, the bold, and the fast.



Gameplay Mechanics:
This is like your standard racing game, except that it's not. You're not doing circles around a flat track. The race tracks of the future go up, down, left, right, and inside-out. And not only that, but if you accumulate enough momentum you are able to break the sound barrier and travel at an earth shattering velocity.

There are a number of teams (corporations) you can join, but that decision shouldn't weigh too heavily on your mind. Team affiliation is nothing more than the paint job on your bike and the color of your uniform. Simply pick the one whose colors look the purdiest.

What really makes this sort of game stand apart from your average racing game are the shiny gears and gadgets that let you get the upper hand in your quest for the gold. I of course mean weapons.

• Miniguns. Every bike comes standard with a pair of miniguns. They are relatively weak and their aim is less than dependable at higher speeds. For the most part they aren't meant for killing opponents but getting them off-balance just long enough to pass them up.
• Railgun. A heavy damage weapon with a one-at-a-time fire rate. It takes a second or two to power up the shot before firing it. At higher speeds it is completely useless.
• Rockets. Fires a barrage of three missiles. Each missile flies straight and has a bit of an explosive splash.
• Heat Seekers. Requires a second or two to lock onto an enemy, once locked on a missile is shot with pinpoint accuracy. Perhaps the most popular weapon in the entire game.
• Rear Blaster. This is not actually a weapon but an auxiliary boost system meant to be used along with your regular boosters for unparalleled speeds. Enemies that get right up on your bumper will however take damage.
• Rear Turret. Similar to minigun mounted on the front, but this one is mounted on your back. It does however fire automatically on anyone that gets too close.
• Micro Mines. Plain, clean, simple. Just pop a few of these on the road and just keep going. About four or five of these are deployed at a time.
• EMP. A large electromagnetic explosion effectively shuts down every other bike within 200 feet. The effected bikes cannot fire weapons, use boosts, and wildly weave all over the road for a few seconds.
• Destabilizer. Creates an energy field around your bike, and any opposing bike that gets within a few feet of you is instantly zapped with a bolt of lightning that sends it flying backwards.
• Flash Mortar. Lights up the sky with pretty fireworks that blind everyone else on the race track. Most notably this hardly effects the AI, it is mostly used against other players.
• Leech. If you manage to perfectly center your enemy in your crosshairs long enough to get a lock on, then an energy tether will attach itself to your target and will begin to syphon your opponent's shield energy to you. This energy transfer lasts until either your opponent leaves your view or is killed. Quite a deadly weapon in the right hands.

The game itself is broken down into arcade and career races. Arcade races are purely for fun, while career races keep track of your progress and statistics.


Lights & Sounds:
This game manages to pull of a beautiful hybrid of neon glowing cities and lush green forests. The locations in this game are spectacularly breathtaking. There are also a number of stellar weather effects like rain, solar flares, and snow which add to the game experience.

Seeing how this takes place in the future, the music of choice obviously had to be techno. Each heart pumping beat will help you keep your senses sharp and your head in the game.


Story Presentation:
There really isn't much of a story, any for that matter. You win a race, you get a medal, you move onto the next race. Wash, rinse, repeat, credits.

There is however a quick bio of each corporation and rider when on the main menu.


Replayability:
It's a racing game, infinite. Pick a rider, pick a track, and just go.


Multiplayer:
Up to four players may participate in some single-race road raging mayhem. And two players may race together in a co-op campaign.


Bells & Whistles:
There are a couple of additional modes like single-race arcade and time trials.

There is also a shop to buy weapons and upgrade your bike.


Perversion Factor:
In the introduction movie you get to see one of the female riders getting ready in her skintight latex uniform. Other than that there isn't a single shred of perversion to be found in this game.


Hit or Miss:
+Weapons/bike customization.
+Co-op campaign.
+Simple, fun, to the point.
+Impressive visuals.
+Techno music.


Overall Score: 4/5



Final Thoughts:
There is no deep philosophy on life, no profound wisdom, no riddles of the ages to solve. This is a pure and simple adrenaline rush. If you enjoy racing games, and if you enjoy racing games with weapons, this is a good title to look into.


]]> greenraven greenraven Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:09:41 -0600 2872 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2861 Scribblenauts
DS



First Glance Impression:
An exceptionally fun way to waste some time.







In-Depth Look:
This game revolves around a unique gimmick where your imagination governs every aspect of gameplay. With technology always getting better and better we are starting to see more and more of this type of game out there, and it's a welcome change of pace from the same tired gaming cliches.



Gameplay Mechanics:
The game works on a very simple premise, you have a notebook and anything you write in it comes to life. Just think it, write it down, and it appears in the game world. The game has a comprehensive dictionary with a wide range of words to fuel your creativity.

What's really interesting is the object interaction. Certain objects will react to certain other objects. Firefighters will put out any fires on a level, knights and soldiers will fight any monsters. There is a hidden tapestry linking all of the game's objects together and the fun of it all is figuring out what does what.

The game is broken down into three parts: Puzzle, action, and main menu.

Puzzle levels will present you with a challenge to solve. On one level an old will ask you to help him see better. You are free to give him a pair of glasses, a telescope, or even a sniper rifle. Anything that relates to vision will do. On another level a thirsty man in the desert will beg you for some water. You can provide him with juice, lemonade, or a fifty foot tall tsunami on his head. All of these are valid choices. Each puzzle level gives you a theme to work with so you have a set mental pattern ruling each level.

Action levels work a bit differently. Essentially all the action levels are the same. On each level there is a hidden Starite, the goal is to get it. However unlike in the puzzle levels you are not restricted to what you can use, you are allowed to get the Starite by any means necessary.

Believe it or not but the main menu is a game mode in and of itself. It is a blank sandbox map with no rules, no Starites to get no riddles to solves. Create anything you want to your heart's content. This is also the only game mode where the main character is immune to damage, so you are free to experiment with different object interactions.

Unfortunately this is where the good news ends and the bad news begins. The camera only gives you a split second to look around before it snaps back and returns to it's original position. This is not only annoying but it forces you to "misplace" items quiet often. Let me give you an example: There's a helpless villager being attacked by a crazed werewolf. Using your imagination you have decided that you will save the villager by dropping a boulder on the werewolf. Fantastic. However just as you have made that decision the camera begins to return to it's default position and the newly created boulder lands not on the werewolf but on the villager instead.

Also the fact that everything is handled with a simple touch interface is a doubled edged sword. This becomes very apparent when there is multi-item interactions or vehicles. Sometimes clicking a location will force you to exit a vehicle instead of steering towards, and in the case of planes or helicopters it means gave over. Objects like ropes and chains become a pain in the ass as you attempt to attach them to other objects as the game assumes you are done with the rope and wish to interact with said other object. This can lead to some frustrating moments on levels where a timely rescue from a burning building or an Indiana Jones-like escape from a crumbling ruin is required.

All in all this game can be as frustrating as it can enjoyable.


Lights & Sounds:
The game's graphics look like crudely drawn children's doodles. While normally that would be cause for some major complaining, but given the game's atmosphere and the fact that "scribble" is right that in the title, the sloppy looking graphics actually fit the job in this case.

To further add to the carefree spirit of the game children can be heard humming and clapping along in the background. Everything put together just has this unmistakably pleasant vibe to it.


Story Presentation:
There is no story of any kind here. This is really more of a 'mini game' game. The only thing that even remotely passes off as a story are the clues provided to you at the beginning of each level.


Replayability:
Infinite. There are countless ways to complete each level and you can replay any level at any time.


Multiplayer:
While it would be nice to see some LittleBigPlanet co-op, there is none. You can however exchange maps with people on your friend list.


Bells & Whistles:
You can purchase different avatars to go on your adventures with. You can become a witch, an alien, or a zombie. But these things are looks only, you get no special powers or anything.

You can also purchase the game's different songs for your listening pleasure. There are well over 50 songs, so you'll be busy for quite a while listening to them all.

There is a hall of fame displaying the various awards you have collected during the game. "Pyromaniac", "pacifist", "architect", all there for you see and gloat about.

And lastly there is a map editor that lets you create your wildest scenarios. The music you purchased from the music shop may also be used here.

The game's creators also make a few cameo appearances including with their own very hidden level.


Perversion Factor:
Sadly there is none. The game absolutely refuses to acknowledge words like "pimp", "prostitute", "dildo", "enema kit", "bondage outfit", "nipple ring", or any other words your depraved minds can conjure up.


Hit or Miss:
+Fun, creative, imaginative!
+Countless hours of playtime.
+Map editor.
-Dictionary isn't perfect.
-Clunky controls.
-Camera doesn't give you enough time.
-No co-op multiplayer.
-Can only exchange maps with friends.


Overall Score: 4/5



Final Thoughts:
I was going to give this game a perfect 5 but after writing the review and reminding myself of it's flaws I'm going to have subtract a star. For all the shortcomings this game may have they still don't come close to all the fun this game will generate in the long run.

Set your imagination loose and see what happens.


]]> greenraven greenraven Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:43:27 -0600 2861 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2850 Jones In The Fast Lane
PC



First Glance Impression:
Some good old fashioned board game shenanigans.







In-Depth Look:
Have you ever played Monopoly, Candyland, or Life? If you said yes then this should be pretty familiar territory for you. Jones In The Fast Lane is not a digital remake of an already existing game, it is instead a completely brand new game in it's own.



Gameplay Mechanics:
You begin the game by setting goals for yourself: Money, happiness, education, and career. You may set each of these as low or as high as you want and then spend the rest of the game attaining these goals by whatever means you can.

There are a number of locations across the board that you may visit and interact with. Places like the burger joint or grocery store keep you fed and alive. While places like the clothing store keep you a dignified looking member of society.

You may purchase everything from computers to furniture to books in order to increase your quality of life. You may attend college and invest in the stock market if you're looking at a bigger picture. All this while still trying to figure out how to pay your bills and groceries. You get to plan out an entire life and put it into action.

One turn does not actually mean one action. There is a clock at the bottom, one turn represents one week. Moving around the board, entering places, buying things, all these things consume a bit of the clock. Once the clock is filled the week is over, so is your turn. It's your job to try and figure out how to best manage the time you have.

As tradition in board games a random event card is pulled between turns. They can be anything. From winning the lottery, to being robbed, to having something of yours break. You never know what random event may befall you.


Lights & Sounds:
The graphics are very colorful and inviting, they have this cartoony feel to them. The people you encounter in the game are not drawn but actually recorded renderings of real people, which for the time is quite impressive.

The music is very lighthearted and playful, perfect for the atmosphere it tries to convey. The various inhabitants of the game all talk, as in audio recordings, which once again is impressive for it's day.


Story Presentation:
Board games, (with the exception of Dungeons & Dragons), aren't really known to have stories. The only "story" you will find here are the random event cards that pop up between turns. "You spend the weekend searching for you missing sock."

The various store clerks, bank tellers, and other personnel also make witty and snappy comments. That's as close to a story as you're going to get.


Replayability:
It's a board game, it has very high (if not infinite) replay value.


Multiplayer:
Up to four people may sit down and play this 'life simulation'.


Bells & Whistles:
The different personalities you encounter during the game are actually the very people that created the game.

During it's golden age Sierra was known for one thing: Humor. There are all kinds of silly puns and gags splattered across the game. The game's Socket City is a spoof of the real world Circuit City franchise, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

While the events in this game are random, some of your actions do play a small role in their outcome. Buying a book for example will give you a higher chance to get the "you joined a book club" event. Having a lot of money and constantly going in and out of a bank will have a higher chance of you getting a "you got robbed" event. Etc.


Perversion Factor:
There is some VERY MILD innuendo that pops up from time to time, but this is mostly a clean family game.

Once you are completely poor and homeless you get to wear a barrel or cardboard box in a sexy comical fashion.


Hit or Miss:
+Choose your own goals.
+Humorous, witty, and entertaining.
+Random events.
+An educational learning experience.
+Pleasant music.
+Realistic people.
+Multiplayer.


Overall Score: 5/5



Final Thoughts:
This is one of those rare games that is both educational AND fun. There is quite a bit of depth to this game than first meets the eye. And added with Sierra's classic trademark wit you will be playing for hours and hours and hours.

This is one of those games that everyone needs to play at least once in their lifetime. It's like Oregon Trail 2.0!


]]> greenraven greenraven Sat, 27 Aug 2011 22:14:30 -0600 2850 http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2848 Cyborg Justice
Genesis



First Glance Impression:
Robot murdering good fun!







In-Depth Look:
The game starts out with your ship suffering a mysterious power failure as it passes into an asteroid field, and you are then seen crashing into an ominous looking mining colony. Your brain is salvaged from the wreckage and installed into a robotic body for the purpose of being cheap labor. You however... have other plans. And so you set out to seek revenge against those that would try to imprison you.



Gameplay Mechanics:
This game plays much like most side scrolling beat'em up games do. You enter a room kill several enemies then move onto the next room.

What's cool about Cyborg Justice however is hands down the ability to create your own custom soldier of war. You can mix and match between arms, bodies, and legs to make that perfect killing machine.

Bodies determine how much health and defense you have. Each body comes with one default arm.

• Normal body as the name might suggest is average in every possible way and is the norm by which all bodies in the game are judged. It comes with a default fist arm which is good for basic punching.
• Frog body just seems to be a variant of the normal body and doesn't seem to provide any noticeable advantages.
• Insect body is a weaker body offering less armor and a bit less health. But it comes with a default scythe hand which can on occasion slash enemy armor and do critical damage.
• Lobster body provides slightly more defense and comes with a claw hand which has a chance to dismember enemy limbs once in a while.
• Quasimodo body sports bigger thicker armor than average and it comes with a spiked hand that can pierce enemy armor and do additional internal damage.
• Big Booster body boasts a fearsome double defense and double health than normal and as such it has no special hand. It also has no head (technically), negating any critical damage your enemies might try to inflict on you.

Legs determine the speed at which you'll move. They also provide some special abilities for you to execute.

• Jogging legs are the standard norm at which all automatons travel. There is nothing remotely spectacular about them.
• Spiked legs offer you absolutely zero lower body defense. They do however double your movement speed, allow you to execute a running attack, and add additional damage to all kicks.
• Pneumatic legs allow you to jump ridiculously high and then perform a special drop kick on your way down.
• Somersault legs turn you into a robotic ninja as you flip back and forth and damage all who get in your way.
• Tank legs provide you with the awesome ability to transform into a battering ram and charge at your enemies at high speeds.
• Big Foot legs are a big chunky pair of legs that provide you with double defense while reducing your movement to a crawl. They also make you immune to floor traps and being grabbed by the enemy.

Arms are perhaps the most important decision to make as they effect your primary method of attack.

• Normal arm is capable of performing multiple punches at faster speeds than the default body arms.
• Crusher arm is basically a rock crushing drill that can be used to dent enemy armor.
• Saw arm does only the bare minimum damage if used as a direct attack weapon. But if used on joints it can sever enemy limbs with ease.
• Laser arm is perhaps the most practical of all the special arms, you see an enemy you shoot them. Simple and to the point.
• Flamer arm has a short range fire attack that can rapidly melt any enemy that is foolish enough to remain within distance.
• Launcher arm is a one-time-use weapon. It is a giant fist that you shoot at an enemy to do massive damage and knock them back (if they survive). The drawback is that you have to walk over to where it landed, pick it back up, and re-install it to fire it again.

With the different combinations of arms, legs, and bodies you have a number of gameplay options available to you. And as if that isn't enough you can also do a number attacks such as grabbing, tackling, you can even attempt to rip your enemies piece by piece with your bare hands.

Once you destroy an enemy you can rummage through the junk heap and pick up their special arm and install it on yourself. Or if you happen to be badass you can rip it off them while they're alive and kill them with their own weapon. You can also replace your legs in a similar fashion. Only your body is the only constant that remain from start to finish.

Each level offers some environmental hazard. From spikes on the ground, to chasms, to very very annoying missiles that seem to appear out of nowhere.

At the end of every level you are given a score breakdown and proceed to the next level.


Lights & Sounds:
The graphics look pretty decent for the time. But sadly much like the practice of the time the levels and the enemies are just recolored versions of each other. Red house, blue tent, yellow car. Yellow house, blue tent, red car. Blue house, yellow tent, red car. You know how it is.

The music has a dark mechanical tone to it, which fits the overall mood perfectly. It does it's job of making you feel like you're surrounded by an army of mindless emotionless abominations.


Story Presentation:
Aside from the very short introduction movie there really is no story of any kind. You just beat a level, see your score, move onto the next level. You get some quick words of congratulations upon beating the game and that's all the fat lady wrote.


Replayability:
This is the sort of game that doesn't really have any sort of difficulty scale the further you progress. The enemies on the final level are no harder to kill than the enemies on the first level. When you finish the game you are more than welcome to restart the cycle of death and destruction all over again.


Multiplayer:
Two players can run through the game in on some co-op murder mayhem. You can even revive each other.

There is also a versus arena where you can go mano-a-mano against each other to see who is the cybernetic lord of battle.


Bells & Whistles:
After completing the game for the first time you will unlock a fatality move that allows you to rip the enemy's torso in half and feed off it's energy supply before tossing the lifeless junk to the ground.


Perversion Factor:
Ab-so-lute-ly nothing.


Hit or Miss:
+216 possible character combinations.
+Savage brutality.
+Scavenging new parts from fallen enemies.
+Co-op multiplayer.
+Versus multiplayer.


Overall Score: 3/5



Final Thoughts:
It's a pretty decent old game that can give you several hours of cannibalistic and genocidal fun. I recommend it if you have time to spare or are into retro gaming.

There hasn't been this much justice dispensed by a cyborg since Robocop!


]]> greenraven greenraven Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:27:46 -0600 2848