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A.P.I Review: | Centipede | ||
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Developer: | Hasbro Interactive | OPTIONS: | SCREENSHOTS: No.1 No.2 No.3 |
Distributor: | Atari Interactive | 1-2 Player | |
Game Type: | 3D Shooter | Memory Card | |
Review Date: | May 1999 | Dual Shock/Analog Compatible |
Setting the Scene
Legend has it that every hundred years; a multitude of armored
beasts emerges from the Earth, swarms to the surface, and tries to
overtake our world. Every hundred years we think we destroy them, but
every hundred years the Legend awakens again. This time, Wally Gudmunzsun
must be the hero and save the planet from the onslaught of insects.
Can you help him control The Shooter and accomplish his mission?
Do you have what it takes to be Wally's partner through adversity and
challenge?
Let's see what kind of grit you've really got
Sound & Vision
With all of today's high tech graphics and sounds and effects, how
can a remake of a popular 1980's Atari game keep up? It can't! But
Centipede isn't about high tech graphics and amazingly realistic sounds,
it's about bringing back some of the old memories and fun while adding new
and exciting adventures as well. Although the sound and vision effects of
Centipede aren't the best on the Playstation, Atari makes the game work.
In the Arcade version of play, they incorporate the exact version of the
80's game only without the trackball in tow. It still amazes me how simple
yet enjoyable these games were. The graphics are extremely basic and the
sounds are coarse, but it's Centipede back in full force in 1999!
In the Adventure mode the graphics are a little bit more up to date but
they still lack the pizzazz of most of today's games. With some of the
different perspectives you can use it's possible to get up close to the
centipedes and other bugs, which is pretty neat, but there isn't a whole
lot of detail to mesmerize the eyes. The spiders look almost the same as
they do in the Arcade version, not very fancy. The levels and backgrounds
are very plain as well. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to move around
depending on the chosen view perspective. But with new worlds and a bunch
of new levels and bugs there is some variety to break the monotony of the
rather average graphics.
The Adventure mode doesn't offer much excitement in the sound category
either. Just your every day run of the mill stuff. You can hear the
centipede coming and you definitely know when the spiders are around. The
Shooter's weapon sounds as you would expect a fake laser to sound. My two
favorite aspects in the sound category were the voices of the little
citizens when you rescued them, and the ability to turn the sound effects
and music off.
Playability
So far it probably sounds like I'm not very happy with this game,
but that's not true. Centipede, although sorely average by today's
standards, is quite entertaining to play. As the player, you must help our
unsung hero Wally operate the almighty combat vessel "The Shooter"
and exterminate the bugs for good. There are two different modes to choose
from, the Arcade mode (80's version) and the Adventure mode, which takes
you out of the rectangular board to take on bugs face to face in new 3D
worlds.
There isn't much to say about the playability in the Arcade version. It's
the same addictive gameplay as before. You can choose one or two player
(alternating turns) and the goal is to get as high a score as possible.
Same mushrooms, same centipedes, same spiders, SAME FUN!! You move around
the board with the D-Pad and shoot with the X button. That's all there is
to it.
The adventure mode however is all new. The basic premise of the game is
the same, kill the bugs. But now you must fly The Shooter, a hover craft,
through many different worlds, all the while killing bugs, picking up
stranded citizens and druids, and protecting buildings and crystals on
your way to Evile to kill the Queen Pede. These levels include various new
bugs, exploding mushrooms, and other hazards such as water and lava to
make things more difficult. However, they also include secret weapons,
shields, and extra lives to aid you in your heroic quest.
Like I mentioned earlier the sounds and graphics aren't great but they
get the job done. I did like that there are three different view
perspectives to choose from, top down, third person (over Wally's
shoulder), and first person. This feature allows you to pick what feels
best for you. I also liked the Dual Shock Analog capabilities. You can
control The Shooter entirely with the left and right sticks, including
jumping and shooting or you can use the more traditional D-pad and
shoulder buttons, your choice.
At the end of each level you get to see how you did. Bonus points are
awarded for picking up citizens, saving buildings, etc., based on the
different bonus objectives for each level. You get a free Shooter at every
12000 points and don't forget that high score is always your objective.
The higher your score, the bigger the hero you are.
Opinion | ||
KEVIN | ||
GRAPHICS: | 13/20 | Although most aspects of Centipede are pretty plain, it is still the same addictive game that it has always been. You can't help but get caught up trying to better your last score and avoid or kill those damned spiders. For any old Atari players out there, the Arcade version is a great porthole to the good ole days, while the Adventure mode is a welcome segway from a classic history to a new and exciting present and future. At $39.95 SRP it isn't that bad of a buy either. You're sure to get loads of enjoyment from the Arcade mode and plenty of challenge and excitement from the new Adventure mode. Overall I really enjoyed playing Centipede. |
SOUND: | 6/10 | |
PLAYABILITY: | 41/50 | |
VALUE: | 15/20 | |
OVERALL | 75% |