This describes itself as a "futuristic heavy metal combat simulation" - without explaining how it is possible to "simulate" something that doesn't exist in real life. But at least it can't be faulted on inaccuracy - and the result is seriously stylish.
The multiplayer add-on included in this version (a first-person shooter set in the Starsiege environment) is a great way to get into Internet gaming. Just connect to an Internet service provider and load up the game. It pings the servers and offers a list of games to join, without any further downloads or set-ups. The multiplayer game can be far more complicated than a shoot-out in Quake but it can also be more rewarding and doesn't take too long to get the hang of.
The single-player game isn't bad either, and offers the chance to jump into some heavy machinery. There are 45 missions, throughout nine planetary environments, with 40 types of weapons and over 35 craft to pilot. In effect Starsiege Universe is two games in one, and in the US they are sold separately, making it look like a bargain here. Req: Pentium 200/32MB/Win 9x
Ireland does not score many firsts in the video-game industry, so it was good to see scenes from some upcoming games get their first European showing in Dublin. At the Darklight digital film festival in Temple Bar, Dublin, full-motion video from such eagerly awaited games as Homeworld, Braveheart and Final Fantasy VIII were shown. A short movie featuring the Abe character from Abe's Odyssey was also shown at an event organised by the Player magazine and Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland.
Sega is cutting the price of its Dreamcast console in Japan by one third in an attempt to drive up sales. "Sales are not moving quickly. We cannot deny that we have to restore the sales trend," a Sega spokesman said last week, adding: "we are launching a major sales campaign by reducing the price to the level where mass-consumption becomes possible". The price cut so soon after its launch in Japan is not a good omen for a machine which will not be released here until September.
Cheats: Need For Speed: Road Challenge Sony PlayStation
Enter the username on the left to unlock the car on the right:
Hotrod - Titan Hotrod
Whirly - Helicopter Flash - Phantom
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