January 2000 Volume 81 Number 1 "serving the protectors"
By Mike Horsfall

GULF WAR - OPERATION DESERT HAMMER

The latest arcade-type game by 3DO revolves around the second Gulf War conflict in which players command the new prototype M12 tank, nicknamed “the Hammer”.

Gulf War is the first arcade game that has, at players’ fingertips, the controls of the most advanced weapons platform produced by the free world. The controls are simple and uncomplicated, allowing operators to get on with the job of clearing a path to Bagdad and liberating the world from its wicked tyrant.

The features of Gulf War include mission briefings with actual Gulf War footage that heightens the reality of the game and sets the scene for the next mission. There are 18 single-player missions and three difficulty levels to play them. The game also comes with multi-player features that enable gameplay via LAN, modem, serial port, and over the Internet.

Once into the game one can use a realistic arsenal that includes anti-tank and anti-air guided missiles. There’s also an array of support units that includes jet fighter bombers, choppers and artillery. Combining well to give spectacular weapons effects and visuals of the local environment are the graphics and sound qualities, which are supported by the latest 3D graphics and sound technologies.

Gulf War is simple to use but still entertaining. The main focus isn’t on technical controls of the tank, but rather on getting the job done and blowing up your opponent. It’s perfectly suited to those who wish to play a game without being bogged down by precise issues.

The minimum system requirements are a Windows 95/98 PC with at least a Pentium 166 processor, 32MB RAM, 150MB disk space, 4x CD-ROM and a 2MB SVGA video card.

ALIENS VERSUS PREDATOR

Another shoot-’em-up has hit the computer stores - Alien Versus Predator (AVP). It allows players to control one of three characters, each with unique attributes. As the title suggests, one may play the character of the alien from the blockbuster movie, Aliens, starring Sigorney Weaver.

As the alien, your objective is to protect the lair and stop the human intruders. This character allows you to climb walls and ceilings and lash out at enemies. One can play the Predator from the action-packed hit movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The gurgling sounds are expertly emulated from the movie and the visual effects are surreal. One can go into stealth mode and blend in with the environment, but sudden moves give away your position. The thermo-nuclear imaging is terrific, highlighting the hot points of humans and the like.

As well as clawing your enemies to death, you can strike at them with mini-spears and energy bolts. Some will enjoy collecting the skulls of recently terminated humans.

But where would any game be without a human hero? The third character is, of course, your every-day, run-of-the-mill Colonel Marine.

Armed to the hilt with all kinds of weapons most likely to be banned by the UN, players search out and destroy their enemies. Each character has advantages and disadvantages. Some have distant weapons like spears and firearms - others like it up close and very personal.

With over 50 levels - including some of the toughest space stations and planet scapes - this game will keep you occupied for quite a while. The game requires a Multimedia Pentium 200 with 32mb of RAM. Surround sound has never been more frightening. Don’t play this one late at night: you will never want to close your eyes again.

An upgrade patch is now available that addresses issues found in the release version of Aliens Versus Predator. Go to www.3dfiles.com for this 4.4 MB download which also adds several gameplay and “debug” features.

RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2000

A high priority for those seriously into PC driving simulations is realism. And in this regard, the latest in the Rally Championships range almost hits the mark.

Rally Championships 2000 owes its complexity of development to the success of such titles as Lombard Rally, Network Q Rally, Rally Championships and International Rally Championships.

This latest version simulates the Mobil 1 Rally Championship, which is made up of six rallies spread across the British Isles. A total of 36 stages are presented, featuring varied terrain and weather conditions, all recreated from detailed reference material including Ordnance Survey maps, film footage and photographs.

Added to the realistic terrain are 20 accurately-modelled rally cars from the A5 series, through A6 and A7, to the turbo-charged A8 Series that features such vehicles as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and the Subaru Impreza WRC.

Rally 2000 makes the best of technological advances in PC graphics and sound. The higher resolutions (up to 32 bit) and speed of the latest 3D Accelerators such as the Diamond VIPER V770, Matrox G400 and Voodoo 3500, are particularly catered for. So too are the enhanced sound features of 3D soundcards like the Sound Blaster Live and Diamond Monster Sound MX300.

Graphically Rally 2000 is realistic and very fast. The range of rallies will suit most players, and there’s also an Arcade series for those not yet adept at rally driving. These features ensure the game will not soon be discarded. We’d like to see more work in the areas of damage dynamics, force feedback features and system requirements.

To play Rally 2000 you’ll need a Windows 95/98 PC with at least a Pentium 266 processor, 64MB RAM, 20MB disk space, 4x CD-ROM and an 8MB Fast 3D video card. You will most likely want a Pentium 2/500, 128 MB RAM, 650 MB disk space, a 32X CD-ROM and a 16MB AGP Video card.

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