Sega
Force Vault
Reviewed
02.12.1997
Publisher
Koei
(Japan)
Sega
(USA)
Developer
Lemon
/ Scavenger
Format
1x
CD
Origin
Import
/ Domestic
Available
Jun.
20, 1997 (Japan)
Jan.
17, 1997 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
(hard)
Dimensions
3D
View
3rd
Person
Genre
Mech
/ Shooter
Player(s)
1-2
Options
3D
Pad
Password
Save
Requires
n/a
Importable
n/a |
| Intro |
|
> Amok is the first game by Lemon/Scavenger
to grace the Sega Saturn. Fans of this development
house know they are the king of challenging shooters. For example,
Sub
Terrania and Red Zone were two of their previous
efforts on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. Also, Scavenger
has acquired a reputation for pioneering new standards in console development.
Amok is par for the course in those regards. It's
a mech-type 3D shooter with submarine sequences and innovative visuals
to boot.
> After a 47 year war, the planet Amok and its two largest
corporations are at peace. You play the part of Gert Staun; basically
a mercenary who's hired to reignite hostilities between the major corporations,
NONLUN and AZTK, whose existence depends largely on the production and
sale of military hardware. Staun pilots a highly modified battle
walker named the Slambird, which is equipped with a range of missiles,
bombs, mini-guns and many other types of military devices. As expected
from Scavenger, this isn't gonna be a walk in the park... |
| Graphics |
|
> Amok's 3D graphics are ultra-smooth, though not extremely
detailed, and most certainly too dim for my taste. Light-source shading
is abundant and pleasing to the eye. Explosions are nice, and the
enemies range from killer sharks to foot soldiers, to battletanks.
Besides the dim backdrops, I don't like Amok's very short
sight-distance. |
| Control |
|
> The controls in Amok are tight; everything reacts just
the way you'd like it to. The gameplay is nothing new, but it's quite
solid nonetheless. At your disposal is directional control via the
D-pad, strafing via the left/right triggers, view change with X, run with
C, and various weapons usage with the other buttons. Aside from the
multiple weapons in your basic arsenal, you can collect an array of weapons
and health power-ups along the way. Each map has unique obstacles,
certain objectives and hidden areas. |
| Sound |
|
> The sound effects in Amok are fantastic. The explosions
rock, especially in stereo. The music is classic Scavenger:
weird techo-beats that keep the excitement level elevated. I do think
they should have done better with the tunes though. |
| Fun |
|
> The fun-facter depends on your taste for this type of game. Even
so, most people will find it difficult to reach later levels, as you only
have one life, plus the difficulty, though selectable, is always hard.
A password save is a must for Scavenger games, and thankfully
Amok
has one. |
| Bottom
Line |
|
> Amok has a smooth, unique 3D engine, courtesy of the great
minds at Scavenger. However, why does everything have
to be so dim? It's still a decent mech/shooter with a challenge to
make just about anyone consider the disposal of their controller.
Overall, somewhat of a let-down for the first Scavenger game
on Sega Saturn. |
| Ratings |
| Overall:
7.8 | Graphics: 8.5 | Control: 8.0 | Sound: 7.8 | Fun: 7.0 |
~
Shinobi ~
|
