Space Station: Silicon Valley Game by Take 2 Interactive Reviewed by geezer http://geezer.homepage.dk/ Size: 8 megabits Save: 4 Save slots. Released: 1999 Works with: GBC enhanced but works well on mono gameboys. **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: I read the initial hype for the game, and I was attracted by the ability to control a variety of animals in a funny platformer. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: In SS:SV you control a chip that is able to take control of dead animals. The chip cannot survive for long without a host, so you start as the dog that was killed right at the start when your ship crash landed. From now on it's a platform romp, collecting power cells, energy cells as well as well as body parts from the robot that your chip lived in before the crash. All animals have unique abilites, such as jumping, attacking, flying, etc. You must have control of specific animals for specific tasks, confusing and sometimes even a little frustrating, but you'll work it out. The game has 4 worlds, each of which has between 6 and 10 levels. The levels never get too big, and generally have you performing some tasks before leaving the level, Dan Danger, you partner, gives you a mission briefing before every level which can be called up in the pause menu. Some of the levels are puzzle based, similar to Donkey Kong, but there are some shooting levels. Most levels are a combination of platform and puzzle. I enjoy this game, despite some of the illogical puzzles, and the taking control of animals does put a new and original twist on an otherwise saturated platform market. Liked: New ideas, animals having unique (if sometimes illogical!!) abilites. Hated: Some of the levels were really frustrating, not just for me. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphics are typical for a platform game, always viewed side on and 2 dimensional. Color is used very well, especially when you consider that the game works on older gameboys. The sprites are a bit small, but serve their purpose well, looking like the animals they depict. The levels look good too, with a lot of detail and variety. The worlds are themed, and each world has it's own look and feel. The game looks good when everything is moving, and some of those animals can move fast. SS:SV has a great introduction, not FMV, but still very impressive and amusing, as are the cut scenes. A lot of work was put into this side of the game, it looks as good as Grand Theft Auto, which isn't so surprising as the game is made by the same company. SS:SV, as most games could always look better, but having said that, I can't really complain about anything. Liked: Cool intro. Good graphics without ever being exceptional. Hated: Nothing really... **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: There aren't many sound effects in the game, but they do the job well, letting you know when you have attacked an animal or performed a task. There are lots of tunes, which make up for the minimal sound effects, and they tend to be good. They can't become too annoying, as you'll never be stuck on a level for too long. The sound/music department is very similar to Grand Theft Auto. It certainly isn't the best around, but you can bear to have the volume turned up just a bit. I would've liked better sound effects, but I can live with the ones I got. Liked: Good variety of tunes. Hated: Minimal sound effects. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The controls are easy to learn and responsive. It can be a little difficult to go up or down a hill when a path spilts, the joypad isn't great at diagonal movement. It can be learnt though. Level design is good, but it can sometimes be hard to identify an object, such as the elevator in the level called Rocky Hard Place. There is normally only one way to complete a level, again that's ok, but in the last level in the third world, you have to kill all the animals with a camera. The camera has a set course, you just turn it around asteroids style, this is very difficult, unless there is a secret I've yet to find out about. Another complaint is that certain animals are required to perform a specific task, but it isn't always logical. I really think that the variety of animals in this game could have been used better, maybe we'll see that if they make a sequel. The animals have stats, which can be seen when you find the TV screen in the level, but I don't really see the point of this. This game is very well designed, my grumbling isn't so serious, there is a way through, even if you might have to rely on trial and error sometimes. Liked: Generally very good. Hated: Ocassional lapses of logic. **************************************************************************** Improve: Put the variety of animals to better use, as well as design the levels bigger and better with more logic. Make it an adventure with puzzles as mini-games. The ability to play in a Pokémon kind of way would be good, as the game leans in that direction. A GBC only version with improved graphics and sound would go down well. RIYL: Donkey Kong, most platform games. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Good and original, if slightly frustrating sometimes. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: **** Sound/Music: *** Play Control/Game Design: **** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 21 Final Score: 86% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: Sorry...!