Return mine to me. No. 36 (shock-speed April 1998)

Today our road lies no less than the past millennium. Let's see how the releases about the directly distant past will come. And if the matter is really bad with views, although it would seem much worse, then we will do about the 90s long quarterly issues for completely sick bastards, like me, who are interested. Today we set off in 1998, in which Bandai finally decided to withdraw its prefix Pippin from sale. In general, she published in 1995 in collaboration with Apple, and at that time it was already weaker than PlayStation and Sega Saturn, but it was even more expensive than them. For all the time, this console was sold in the world of order, attention, 50,000 copies. And by the way, you will not find this information on Wikipedia ... Hmm ... value the moment when you know a little more than Wikipedia)

The Unreal engine takes the first steps, the beta version of the shooter of the same name caused simply a splash and a bunch of flattering reviews in the game community, and at once the 4 studios of the developer turned to Epic Megagames (that’s what they were called then) became interested in the developed technology.

Black Dragon Productions, led by Gillian Bonner, better known as Miss April 96 in Playboy, said she was starting to develop the game Riana Rouge 2. Jillian's appearance was just taken for the image of the heroine of the first part, and as it turned out the only.

In the second part it was planned that, unlike the first, where a living video with puzzles was combined - the game will be borrowed by the Tomb Raider engine, and indeed it will become like this series. However, the developers wanted to add one piquant feature - to have sex with any character he met.

Although something in the end did not grow together and the game never saw the light. And most likely thank God, see which Trash was going on in the first part.

Next in line we have a review of April 1998 today. We remind you that in this program we rely, namely, we do not put on the reviews of the Russian press of those years, but only derive the average value for several editions. Also, if you did not see a particular game that you played at that time, do not be upset at that time, in any case, in the next issues we will definitely talk about it, there were many releases, and the transmission format does not allow to cover everything. So be patient. Well, now stell up croissants with coffee and go.

There were times before. Imagine, in the same month, three fighting plays come to the PlayStation at once, and all three top -end titles - Bushido Blade 2 from Square, Dead Or Alive from Tecmo. However, the Tekken series was so popular at that time that all the other fights then, so to speak, did not stand nearby. And before us an exclusive for the Psone console and slot machines, fighting, Tekken 3.

It is important to understand that, of course, it was the best playing of that time, therefore, the reviews were built on the contrary to find flaws in the game.

The first thing the reviewers note is magnificent easily memorable characters. Beginners are especially delighted, who perfectly fit into the three -dimensionality of the fighting - Eddie Gordu or, for example, the Hall, whom we called Huarang as a child and treped - just fell in love with players around the world from the first seconds of the game.

In addition to the main story about Haikhachi and his grandson, who decided to arrange a ditch tournament for the escaped Aztec bloodthirsty god, each hero has his own mini story with excellent CG rollers, who literally forced to play for every fighter. For Psone, one exclusive character Gon Dinosaurus, a wildly popular hero of the manga of the same name in Japan, was available.

Regarding the gameplay, then, as already mentioned, this is the best fighting game of that time. Each fighter is endowed with just a huge amount of various movements that can be combined in any order. A huge field for various tactics of fighting ... I myself remember how in clubs or later at home with friends and acquaintances I met players with the styles of hitherto unheated. On the other hand, some reviewers are complained of too long and confusing combo and an underdeveloped system of characters, but this is completely nit -picking.

Management in the game is performed impeccably, sometimes the truth is the fighters make waste to the side, because of which the character does not have time to navigate 3D, and your blows will go into the void, but the players quickly got used to it.

Of the minuses-the “country of games” complains that at least some interaction with the arenas is absent.

Additional modes are also scolded, for example, Tekken Force, in which moving from left to right for 4 levels you have to blow dumb enemies and meet the boss at the end. The problem is that when the enemies stand at the edge of the screen, they simply are not visible, and to stand on the same line with an adversary, so that it is quite problematic. Having passed it once - the players are unlikely to return to him.

The second mode is a kind of volleyball with different types of balls. Everything is better, more interesting and more fun in it, and you have to throw the ball over the opponent with various blows. However, as the “country of games” writes again, not very seriously, although, as for me, these modes greatly diversified the gameplay and the company sometimes used considerable popularity.

Graphically not everything is so rosy. Do not understand the wrong thing, the graphics are good there, but for the first time in the series-this is not the most technically perfect work in its genre on the PlayStation. Although, in comparison with arcade automatic, textures and lighting were improved literally at times. But when the same Dead or Alive is in high resolution at 60 frames per second, here the standard resolution is used, and even with smoothing out the problems of some characters, which is why they sometimes seem angular.

As a result - it 8.5 points of 10.

The game was then pleased with absolutely all fans of the genre. Colorful characters with various styles and verified gameplay still make you remember this game with trepidation in the heart of many gamers around the world.

Need for Speed ​​III: Hot Pursuit
Despite the fact that the first part of the NFS turned out to be a world hit, the second part did not particularly like both players and reviewers. Therefore, the third part of the special expectations was not entrusted, given the such small annual development period, but in vain. EA managed to literally breathe a new life into a series, and before us the creation of the Canadian branch Electronic Arts, the game Need for Speed ​​III: Hot Pursuit.

It was decided to abandon the concepts of the previous game, as well as in the first part, serial cars, even in the life of standing fabulous prices. Each car for its time is modeled with maximum accuracy not only externally, but also by behavior on the highway. And each car here can be tormented, so to speak, with different settings, but they do not add a special effect.

In addition to standard single races, a knockout mode appeared here, in which, as you know, the one who is going the last with every new circle.

AI of rivals of reviewers is very pleasing and even for some conditional 5th place in the same knockout has to sweat a little, and in the last round adrenaline completely jumps.

Hot Pursit this part is called not a red word for. There really appeared modes where the police abandon all their strength to capture you and your opponent. It is worth noting that in the first part there was also the police, but there she behaved rather sluggishly and began to chase you if you overtook a police car. In the second part, she was completely removed, but then several dozen patrols will try to hide you in a thorough that they should not be worth it. Unlike the first part, where the police were enough to overtake your car to catch you, here they go to Taran in every possible way trying to throw you off the road. The pace of the chase is just crazy and damn tense - in a word, it was not for nothing that the game called this mode.

There are only eight tracks that by the standards of that time are many and they are large enough. However, there are many variations - forward, backward, mirror display of the tracks, in two simulation modes Tasuya time of day and weather effects. Well, they are made at the highest level and each of them requires special tactics for driving. In addition, unlike the second part, then traffic of cars returned to the roads.

Races on the tracks are given with very great difficulty, again thanks to artificial intelligence, and it happens that cars come to the finish line with whole packs with a difference of several degrees of seconds. The variety of architectural styles and designer finds is amazing here, and empty and flat tracks from the second part can be forgotten like a terrible dream. The routes are extremely narrowed in places, in places on the contrary - they are wide, now it seems complete nonsense, but then it was really a novelty. In general, each track shines here a unique and original style.

The graphic component of the game seems to https://playersclubvipcasino.co.uk/ squeeze all the juices from PlayStation. On the PC, by the way, the game will be ported only after half a year. Bright juicy colors, unusually beautiful and clear landscapes, a huge number of three -dimensional objects, and lighting at a height. And if the chase occurs at night, then red-blue lights paint the environment into their shades. It looks, for his time, just fantastic, and even with stable 25-30 frames.

The sound component, the screech of the brakes, the roar of the engines, and the surrounding sounds are also noted - passing by the house you can hear dog barking, in the forest the howls of wolves and so on - everything is performed at a height. But the music is not that pumped up, but it is unlikely that something can be allocated from it.

As a result - it 9 points of 10.

This is the best race at that time. “Country of Games” says it is higher than Gran Tourismo and above any representative of the genre. Falling graphics, unbridled races full of adrenaline, chases capable of making the player really sweat - this is why they loved the NFS series, and not for the shitty lutboxes.

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

The Japanese gaming industry market was so great and closed from the rest of the world that many games were not at all chosen beyond the borders of Japan, some of them were very specific, so they didn’t have to grieve about them, but when this game was light - it instantly picked up the attention of Western and European journalists. And before us, the game from the developers of Acquire Stealth Exchen with the third person Tenchu: Stealth Assassins.

The first thing that is striking here is, of course, blood, reviewers say that they say more or less decent graphics and thoughtful gameplay, then only thanks to this fact the game is already worthy to enter the history of video games. Yes, there were inchings where blood whipped, but here for its time the time of deprivation of a person’s life looked, so to speak, very authentic.

Despite the general romantication of those times then. The main characters here are not ardent heroes with a good heart, but ordinary hired killers, who, however, should save their lovers or somehow. Before you start, you are given a choice to play for a male or female character, there is practically no gameplay in the passage between them.

Murders here are rather a side occupation than the main one, and the whole game here can be passed without them, well, except for bosses.

In addition to swords, you have some additional opportunities, acroma somersaults and jumping jumps, the most important thing is the presence of a hook-cat, with which you overcome obstacles and you can jump on the roofs of houses. Clutching the triangle, the view will change to the first person and the goal will appear in front of you, but letting go - you will move to where you need. You also have a flair of a ninja, in the form of a circle at the bottom of the screen, which warns of the location of the enemy and the danger.

If you were noticed, then you will either have to take your legs or fight. The fights themselves are compared here with the then popular game Nightmare Creatures, with the topic of problems as in it, the camera sometimes suddenly begins to choose strange angles, and the character’s intuitive control turns into a fight not with the enemy, but with the gamepad. (Then the publications could afford to write with the joystick).

To avoid this, it is best to destroy all of all by stealth, and these killings look as cruel and bloody as possible. In general, murders in this game were elevated to the rank of art and at that time it was simply impossible to meet somewhere else.

In addition to the hook, there are also smoke bombs, animal poison, stars and so on. Their number here is strictly limited, so you need to use all this only in extreme cases. They will be especially useful for you if you want to wander around the levels in search of something useful, just keep in mind that every time when the game is launched, the location of objects changes and once finding some kind of potion restoring health in one place, the next time it will not be there there.

The locations here are not particularly different from each other, which saddens reviewers. The point here is not the constructions of the levels themselves, there are no complaints about them, but to graphic execution. All this pale color scheme, and in general, is not particularly beautiful graphics here is more likely to the minus.

Well, as a result - this 7.5-8 points of 10.

Of course, this is the most bloody game of that time, with many innovations, which alas, will have to bring to mind future games. And this game should not be noted for everyone, but nevertheless, if it liked it, then a pleasant pastime was provided to you then.

That we have a lower rank?

Reboot, Another exclusive for Psone from the Canadian branch Electronic Arts again. It was completed according to the animated series of the same name, which we walked through the first channel called or “Repeated download” or “computer wars”, I, frankly, do not remember - I only remember that I watched it.

The plot tells us about the confrontation between the team of defenders, peculiar antiviruses and megabyta, which is a virus and makes constant attacks on the local city of Mainfreim. But we are assigned the role of boy Bob, who is worn on his flying virtual skate and destroys enemies, mainly in the form of all kinds of robots or tanks. This is how the processes occurring in the gland when the computer is shown here. Therefore, you know if your compulumer is stupid in terrible, then Megabyt at this moment prevails over his defense. Live now with this. The series itself was built on the fact that Megabyt came up with another dirty trick, and the defenders have to mock and resolve the whole thing. The game looks like the next series, especially since the video station awaits us between the missions, as if from the cartoon itself, but made specifically for the game. In general, fans I think they were glad.

The gameplay is quite simple and uniform - you fly, but you shoot and so 18 levels. The city itself was fulfilled very worthy, the designers tried and the exotic of local futurism of the surrounding world looks convincing.

Despite the fact that the levels here are open and you can fly there where you want, but it still comes down to shooting enemies.

Species of adversaries here about 30 pieces, but there is no difference in them by and large. And fights with bosses are also not particularly original.

But the graphics are very praised here - animation of the characters, special effects are all on top. But monotony nullifies the efforts of local artists. It seems to be dynamic battles, and the first is interesting, but then you will already know where the enemy is when there is a battle with the boss and so on. Therefore, the game is recommended exclusively by fans. 6 points.

By the way, what was my surprise when I found out that in 2018 a series came out and a kind of continuation called Reboot: The Guardian Code.

Jersey Devil From developers Behavior Interactive. There are quite a few good projects on the track list of this studio, take at least Wet or Dead by Daylight.

And at that time they, like many others, were mainly busy with 3D platformers. Jersey Devil is just one of them, just a good game that wants the glory of Mario64 of a kind of standard 3D platformer of that time.

So, our little hero will have to deal with the evil creatures of an evil designer who, of course, viciously wants to capture the whole world.

Our hero is dexterous, brave and endowed with outstanding abilities, therefore he knows how to jump, fight, fly a little and to do several acrobatic sketches.

According to the strange logic of the developers, in order to pass each of the 11 levels, it is necessary to collect the letters of the name of the main character - Knarf, so the levels will have to be explored as carefully, simultaneously fighting with numerous enemies, mini bosses and collecting all kinds of bonuses at the same time trying to avoid spreading traps.

It is interesting in this game that the camera was given the camera and he can turn it like his soul wishes 360 degrees.

There are a lot of questions for the reviewers is the increasing complexity of the game, if at first everything seems very easy, then in the end it seems incredibly difficult, why it was done incomprehensible, nevertheless, this decently spoils the impression of the game.

The graphics here are quite standard for this genre of that time and does not stand out against their background. However, like the sound effects and music, which still set the correct mood of what is happening on the screen.

As a result, pleasant cartoon heroes, and in general, a positive attitude allowed the players to spend several pleasant days behind the game, but you can’t squeeze out more from it. Although, you know what - I would play. 6 points.

At that time there were many strategies, we can say that it was one of the advanced genres then. But almost all of them were the same, some, like Red Alert, stood out, and in the heart of the players, Warcraft II, published back in 1995. When Diablo came out, on the disk with her, the players saw the trailer for the game, who promised to turn the players about strategies, and show that the players did not see hitherto. Time passed and the wait had more and more than for a year, so many gamers have already become forgotten about her. And here is the long -awaited release, but whether it became the innovative masterpiece that the developers promised? And before us, the strategy from Blizzard Entertainment - Starcraft.

And the first thing the reviewers chew about is no. Moreover, this is a direct confident clone of the same Warcraft II, albeit with decent improved graphics and redrawn units. The game concept has not changed at all, causing a lot of jokes about orcs in space and perplexed - why there are no mines with gold. But the most amazing play was still very interesting.

And the biggest originality of the game is three races. Which, however, were not particularly balanced, but what pleases, completely not like each other. Even the development schemes differ, not to mention units.

It is interesting that they came up with not just backstations, but almost a science fiction novel, with such a scale to the plot ups and downs in strategies, no one then suited. Here you will learn the stories of people, and Zeregov, and protosss. And each side has its own sane motives for the war.

Three campaigns for each race, unusual tasks, perfectly made cards and full correspondence with a gorgeous plot. What is Starcraft in abundance - this is the style, everything is from menus, ending with the same videos that are truly impressive, executed with an impeccable taste.

By the way, to fight here, not only with enemy races, but for example, people will have to face pirate groups, the same people that the moment is not at all hacked.

Resources in the game cause stable associations with Warcraft. Crystals - mines, and gas - forest. There are practically no skirmishes for these resources and each side of them is plenty of, and fighting for them is very dangerous and can go out more expensive. So, for the time being, we sit and calmly develop. In the presence of proper defense, you can relax and go about your business, because in the campaign until the AI ​​you will not develop to attack you, he will not. Anyway, it does it extremely rarely, even if it develops, he will never take you by surprise. By the way, about AI Yunites-he is bad here and did not undergo any special changes with the same Warcraft, and if you give a simple order to your tanks over the bridge, then 4-5 cars will go in the shortest way, the rest will not dare to them and then go to look for bypass tracks.

And if, for example, someone penetrates your base and begins to destroy the vital structure, then until you poke a soldier standing in it in it, he will stand, as if nothing had happened.

The upgrading system is difficult to learn where what is being done is almost impossible. However, interactive assistance is helped out by the cursor output to a particular icon.

It is also very interesting to play additional maps, especially considering that it happens to attack for no reason and fighting with him is almost more difficult than in a campaign.

By the way, Magic also migrated from Warcraft, only the names were again changed, mana was replaced by energy, curses - radiation and so on.

A lot of attention is paid to little things here, the reviewers are almost delighted that units here stand out not by rectangles, but by ovals. Apparently, the topic was sharp then. The interface is simple and pleasant, and for each race there is its own panels. Unit management was organized very competently, if not for their stupid AI - there would be no price.

There are no complaints about the graphics - despite the resolution of 640*480, 256 colors and the complete absence of three -dimensional models - everything looks awake. Everything is carefully, with thoroughness and quality.

The multi -user regime is very carefully designed, balanced and the described deficiencies are not characteristic of it. A kind of cherry on the cake, he rising here and made this strategy with the cult that she is now.

As a result - it 8.5 points of 10.

This is unconditionally a clone of the last Blizzard strategy, which was already very good, and here is still executed with such love, attention to trifles and quality that you just marry you. Already on the release then to reviewers, it was clear that this series would conquer the hearts of millions and grow into a kind of game cult.

It is time for today to say goodbye to April 1998 and we, of course, will return to him in the future, because there are still many games left about which you need to tell. If you liked the video, support a lick, and maybe share with someone - we will be grateful. And now all civilians - to leave the territory, there was an officer Startarev with you. Bye.