The
Top Shelf:
Septerra Core
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Vol.
2, Issue 5
December 9, 1999
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Glom
them pretty backgrounds (100k)
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The fate
cards themselves bring up an interesting point about this game that
I want to talk about for a moment. The game developers created this
whole world, a legend, and a compelling back-story to the game.
Other games in recent time have done this as well; but where they
diverge, is in the continuity of the world / universe that they’ve
created. Games like Outcast
(since its still fresh in my mind) have a game manual that explains
how to work things; and then different items and elements are explained
to the main character in the game – in alien terms. Where things
are too cryptic, the designers often managed a way for your character
to weasel more information out of the alien. In Septerra Core,
however, the game developers don’t do this at all. They tend
to explain how to do things in plain human English – and they
explain them as if someone were telling you how to play it on your
computer . I’m sorry, but having someone in-game mention mysterious
forces like “the seven winds”, and recite lore –
and then turn around and tell me how to move a card (spell) into
a spot on my screen... I want to jump up from my chair and say “Wait
a minute! I know he knows all about Marduk and Gemma and the forces
behind fate cards; but how the hell does he know about my mouse
and my computer screen? He’s talking to Maya (my character),
not ME!”
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It's
clobberin' time! (85k)
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I've said
it earlier in this review, and I’ll say it again – I’ve
highlighted a lot of bad parts of this game; but underneath them
its still a decent experience. And as far as bugs go, the game is
pretty darn solid. The problem is that you’ll run along having
fun for a few minutes – and then invariably hit one of the
afore-mentioned snags or issues; and gnash your teeth for awhile
before getting back to having fun. Taken in total, Septerra Core
is a game that would’ve been a lot better a couple of years
ago (and indeed, I’ve heard that it was delayed due to publishing
problems). However, its problems disrupt the game experience off
and on all along the game (especially combat); and in the end my
feelings for it are merely tepid to lukewarm. There are far more
compelling games out on the market – especially as we enter
the holiday crunch... However, if you’re looking for a game
to complete your perfect collection of every RPG title ever sold;
then pick this game up. Otherwise, if you’re still curious
about the game – my advice is to wait and buy it when it hits
the “$19.95 bargain bin”. I’ll be looking forward
to the next attempt by these developers; and hopefully they’ll
deliver a great product, break some new ground, and show us that
they’ve learned from this game.
- Noel
"HB" Wade is a regular contributor to loonygames. Basically,
he just wants attention.
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