Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M (N64)
Acclaim is a company that that, in my opinion, has been good and bad for the N64. Games like Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and NFL Quarterback Club 99 really set the standard for a lot of games and helped the 64 get where is is today. However, some games like Quarterback Club 2000 and Turok 2 seemed to bomb to to low framerates and poor game play. Well, now yet another Acclaim game has come to grace the 64, or in my opinion, scratch it. I made the mistake of getting this game before trying it. Here's what I think of the game bit by bit.
Graphics: 8 out of 10
The graphics in this game are actually pretty good. Everything is detailed, from guns and enemies to buildings and people. However, some of the time you won't be able to enjoy the graphics because of fog. That's right, another Acclaim game with fog. The first level, Siberia, has so much fog that enemies show up out of nowhere and before you know it you're being attacked by some giant worm-beetle thing that you never saw coming. Some levels have less fog than others but overall it can get annoying. The Expansion Pak is also nicely used in this game and on High Resolution the game looks incredible. All the graphics are great but they could have kept the fog out of this game.
Music and Sound: 7 out of 10
The sound in Armornies is both good and bad. Sound effects are right up there with Turok 2. You'll hear the footsteps of enemies lurking in a dark hallway and every weapon has it's own unique sound. But the music isn't all that great. It's just kind of annoying and really doesn't do much to set the mood of the game. I recommend that you turn your TV to mute and listen to your favorite CD because the music is boring and just doesn't do the game any justice. Great sound effects but terrible music.
Game Challenge: 8 out of 10
This game is actually quite challenging in some areas. Before each mission you're given a list of certain objectives that you must complete before you move on to the next level. They include everything from finding certain people and weapons to destroying Queen bugs and eggs. The levels are challenging in some areas but can be a bit too big at times. Some levels take five minutes, and others take five hours. This can make the game boring and most gamers will give this game up after only a couple of levels because of the size of the levels and the objectives. Some objectives make this a VERY frustrating game like FIND 34 EGGS AND DESTROY THEM BEFORE THEY HATCH. Then you only find 20 and are forced to spend countless hours looking for the others. There's also other challenges, like SEEING THROUGH THE FOG!
Game Play-Fun: 5 out of 10
Where do I begin? Fun? Exciting? Nail-biting? The answer to all these questions is NO. Unlike most first person shooters where it's fun to kill bugs and blow things up, this game makes you tired and frustrated. Which brings me to my other very important point: FRAMERATE. And who better to bring us horrible framerates than Accliam! Sure the game runs smoothly most of the time until enemies start poping up. Next thing you know the screen almost freezes and there's a giant spider on top of you eating your flesh! Sure this great for 5 minutes but then it just gets old.
Frustration
1. Most levels are way too big 2. Fog, fog, and more fog! 3. Framerates are often low when fighting enemies 4. Some objectives are too hard and force you to wonder aimlessly for hours
Replayability: 2 out of 10
There's a multi player but it's nothing big. After one round your friends will probably leave wondering why they came to your house in the first place. I still play from time to time just to see if I can beat it. But for the most part, this game just collects dust on my TV stand.
Game Value: 3 out of 10
If you like FPS and like killing bugs, then this is the game to you. But don't make the same mistake I did and buy it before you rent it first. Don't assume you know what you're getting. This also might be worth noticing: it comes in another black cartridge. Does Acclaim think that putting every game they make into a black cartridge will make them sell better or something? But it you just black then feel free to buy. My final thought: save you 20 bucks and buy Jet Force Gemini. This game may be great for some but over all it just stinks. Rent first, and see what you think.
Overall: 5 out of 10
