Override, nectar of the gods
Written: May 10 '00
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Pros: great gameplay, realistic, fun, tons of options, you can make your own game
Cons: no pc support, plug-ins may cause conflicts
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| tag_1234's Full Review: Escape Velocity Override |
So many choices
The object and basis of this space action game is entirely what you make of it. Whatever you decide to do later you start out with a small ship without weapons. A skillful pilot can buy a small blaster and jump right in, carefully raid cargo ships and watching out for any defenders which would spell impending doom to his weak ship. A more conservative person might take a job ferrying passengers or trading supplies. As the game progresses you gain more money and can buy a nice new ship (as well as add various improvements). Once this happens your world opens up. With ships you capture (or hire as mercenaries) you can take over a planets and further your wealth by exploiting them. Slightly less enterprising tyrants might try raiding shipping lanes and running from the government. Perhaps you would like to join the forces of law and order, blowing pirates out of the sky! There are no concrete limits, no requirements for your personal game. This is just the basic version!
Commanding your ship
A very simple interface system using only keys to command you ship (or indirectly command your fleet) detracts little from this game, actually improving it. Worrying less about realistic, cutting edge graphics, this external 2D model with your ship and everything within a good deal of it allows the user to play a game for content not graphics. It takes a bit of time to get used to but after a bit you'll love it!
OPTIONS
This word sums up why I love this game. In game settings are about average but the user has the ability to create whole worlds. Using an editor the game can be remade. New ships, behaviors, planets, weapons, missions and almost any other aspect of the game can be altered by plug-ins. I have not used the editor but the work that it has produced has been impressive. Ambrosia's own archive of some of the best ones (note some of these might be for the original Escape Velocity) can get you started. Star-wars (complete with tie-fighter and Star Destroyer) along with other new universes are just a 2-10 MB download away. Other plug-ins simply add to the existing game, new ships, cheats and other goodies await the user. Hidden ships in the game as well add to excitement about this game.
Gameplay
This game plays wonderfully. If you tango with a ship of greater stature you are in a fight for your life as others around it seem to think they could be next. Planets view you and friend or foe and remember you over long periods. Governments and ships request your aid and give you rewards for saving them. This game is hard as anything to "beat" like most people view fighter games, complete and utter domination is next to impossible and this game is definitely worth at least a few hours to almost anyone with some patience (there is no instant gratification in this game unless you use cheats) Items take up cargo space and limits are place on the attack strength of any ship. Simply quitting and saving will leave you in the same position you were in last. A resourceful trader must keep an eye on fuel for jumps to other systems. Some things are a bit wacky (enemy ships never seeming to run out of damaging projectiles and so on). You can be tracked by a people you attacked a time ago as well as jettison from your flaming spaceship (assuming you bought that escape pod). This game truly bring the sci-fi game industry back to earth.
Here is one experience of mine. I had become a beloved peaceful trader carrying various cargo selling high and buying low. I had decent armament but was in a pirate prone area with no other ships. Seeing a little blip on my radar I checked it out. A well armed pirate! Throwing fuel into the afterburner I quickly went to the nearest planet. The vandal was closing quickly and began to gun me relentlessly. My two turrets returned fire but it soon became clear that I would have to land or be destroyed! As I approached the planet horror struck me. I was going too fast to land and had to circle back. With about 15% of my armor left I made it, ready for another day.
At times the game may seem unfair to players. The random events can get a bit dangerous for people as raids happen in major systems quite often and you seem to be quite a tasty target. Features such as being able to live after your ship is destroyed can help ease this pain but there is no solution. Watch out! In the beginning you are at the bottom of the food chain. On the plus side the only place you have to go is up.
What's new?
Most of what I have been describing is also true of the original Escape Velocity as well. For those of you who have played before very little has changed (in fact most of the changes could have been done with a plug-in. A good 20 new ships have been added and a new governmental system (made up of four major groups) has arisen. All new weapons and equipment items are available and can really add something to the game as well.
Who should get this game?
I love this game and think that the majority of people who are open to space combat will too. If you have very low patience I suggest downloading a cheat (such as the one that makes everything free) from Ambrosia. This game is insanely challenging and offers so many levels of gameplay. If you love to build this game is for you. The fact that you can make what amounts to a new game with this software is great. You will become emersed in this game. Don't like something about it? Change it! Download this shareware game today (and remember to register)!
Any problems at all?
Except for the few small gameplay items listed above this game is gold. The main problem is that it is for Mac only and does not appear to be coming to PC. Plug-ins must be watched (they do provide a plug-in manager you can download) as the tend to interfere with each other. It does take a long time to become anything more than a hunk of space junk. If it is too hard send me an email (or better yet explore them for yourself) and I'll recommend some nice plug-ins.
A brief summary
Graphics: 6/10 Graphics and the 2D environment are by no means astounding but really aren't meant to be. They don't take away from the experience and allow for users to step in and not have to worry about distinguishing that vessel from this one.
Plot: 8/10 This game has a fairly detailed plot but seems to lack the luster of the original EV game. If you spend the time you can create your own and the archives provide several nice situations (some of them almost as detailed as the game).
Gameplay: 10/10 The amazing variations the game provides as well as the basic game itself have provided some of the most enjoyable gaming experience that I've had yet. So many games cut right to the chase but this one actually provides a challenge for the best and options that will let the worst have fun and instant power.
Fun: 9/10: This game is great for all ages. I put it on the computers at the daycare where I worked and the kids loved being turbo-charged with the "Supercheater" plug-in (despite having to help some of the 2nd grades and below with the movement commands) . My fellow workers and I (of course during our breaks) enjoyed trying to survive and gradually build up our forces.
Overall: 9/10 This game made me want to buy a Mac before I learned about emulators and I was hooked for weeks. Despite being a bit old this one is a winner along with a good deal of the other games that make up Ambrosia Software.
Recommended:
Yes
Version Played: Retail
Operating System: Macintosh
CPU: PowerPC
CPU Speed (MHz): 201-300
RAM (MB): 32
Graphics Card Family: Other
Best Played With/Intended For: Single Player
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Epinions.com ID:
tag_1234
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Member: Jeremy Vancil
Location: Knoxville, TN
Reviews written: 71
Trusted by: 84 members
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