Armorines Game by Acclaim Reviewed by The Avardancer (Philip Wesley) Size: 8 megabits Save: Password Released: 1999 Works with: Game Boy Color only **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Shut up, Rico. The time has come to kick some Buggy Behind. Strap on and move out solider. There's no time to whine, no time to cry, no time to bleed. The bugs are here and it's time to exterminate them. Okay, enough with that stuff. I found this poor game sitting in the bargain bin at Wal-Mart for $15. I was strangely drawn to the game. I don't know why. It seemed to say.... "Philip, take me home.. buy me... play with me... take me home, Philip." For a while, I wondered, I looked at the back of the box. Maybe it has.. inner beauty? Because, all the screenshots of this game I had seen looked... well.. like bad stuff that you step in when you run through an open field. Hey, we're people.. we judge by beauty. And that type of bias is WHY I don't have any screenshots in these reviews. Because if I had put this game down; because of the bad screenshots... I would have missed out on a great little game. Here's my review. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: It plays like Fortified Zone. Which is good. In the game you search through weird enviroments for items, keycards, and etc ad nausem. That's okay. Lots of enemies attack you. They're like bugs; although some do not look the part. Anyways, they attack in swarms. Your objectives, or the last message you saw can be replayed pressing SELECT. It has a story, which is serviceable. And it has large ugly bosses. It's kinda like Contra; but not at all. A little hard to describe, it's based in "mission based levels". You pick up weapons along the way. Only one at a time, sadly. It's got a sort of "high curve" for the easily frustrated. It has some challenge; but not too much. It's just fun and interesting. Although it has one VERY glareing flaw that keeps it from being really cool. It would be even more playable if this were not the case... read on. Liked: Great fun and some interesting action packed with Hated: One huge zit of a bad spot. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Did you dig the Spectrum? You did? Then everything I tell you here will make you want the game. The game is bright NEON. Like the company, NEON GAMES, probably meant it to be. A bit too bright and oddly colored for my taste; but it'll do. Lots of ugly bugs on screen at once, some interesting level designs, and that "following background" that Mario Golf uses. It's hard to describe, but let's say.. you walk along and the game's background actively moves with you, slightly behind you. A little weird to be hold; but cool. Look at the computers in the first level.. someone was playing PONG on them. HA HA HA. Such love and care went into the graphics; but those glaring colors hurt my eyes after a while. And seem, akward. Oh, well. If you loved the Spectrum's graphics to death.. this is heaven for you. For me? well, impressive details, and good animation, lots of enemies with little slowdown.. if only it wasn't so bright. Although, I'm sure.. if you take LSD, this game will scare the Heck out of you. It's psycho-delical. Liked: Detail, animation, there has to be like 12 enemies on-screen before it starts to slowdown. Hated: Bright and UNUSUAL colors. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Some of the sounds seem recycled from Space Invaders and/or Galaga. Intentional? Could be. The music is cool. It's moody, and some of it is very long. Thank you Marc Kamradt. Some excellent music. Lots of odd sound usages in the music. The music is quirky sometimes, heavy in others, and never fails to sound professional. I hope some of those popular Electronica musicians are takeing note. Some of this is club worthy. Sounds like a swarm. *Looks at the title screens* Hey! Factor 5 tools were used! No freaking wonder this game sounds good. Let me lift up a toast to the awesome sound in this game. Very nice. Very creative. Now.. if it only had some voice samples. Liked: The music and unusually creative sound choices and direction are so very good. Hated: Not for everyone. Some tracks take a while to get to their "good" parts. Maybe it could have had.. voice samples? **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: A little short, and the odd "Strafe" ability make take a short time to sink in. I like it though. Sometimes, the game gets a little messy, confuseing. This is the graphics fault, really. But the game is cool. If it only looked more natural; it would be so much better. I think it could use a SAVE Battery, and maybe a way to switch between weapons, or that awesome weapon combining feature from Turok Rage Wars. Liked: Pretty cool game. Interesting play control. Hated: Could use more? It is a little short. **************************************************************************** Improve: Pick a more natural color scheme. Maybe add some more weapons, a save battery, and a few more missions. Over all, though. Cool game. RIYL: Cosmo Tank, Fortified Zone, Aliens 3, Starship Troopers. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Awesome game, really. Too bad it's so.. "bright". Certainly not for everyone; but still worth your time if you have an open mind. The best part of this game? Umm.. large bosses, and that "The END.. but for how long" message. Sweeet. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: **** Graphics: ** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: **** Total: 20 out of 25 Final Score: 80% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: You can use passwords and beat the game the right way -reccommended- or you can skip around with the ultimate cheat... "