Thursday, May 21, 2009

Seablast

Every one in a while I'm going to try to look at some of community games and see what I like and don't like. I saw positive reviews on Seablast, so I downloaded the trial.

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550141/

At first glance, it is frighteningly like Tank Negotiator!

For example:
  • Tank-in-a-maze: check (except it is subs in the sea, but same deal)
  • Menu system that is slightly 3d: check
  • Vortex: check (I freaked out when I saw this - it's my prize weapon!)
  • Nice particles: check (but - they are not "soft")

Over all the game is quite polished. These are some of the things I liked:

  • You can practise with the controls
  • Campaign that gets you into it smoothly
  • Quick to load
  • Visuals are polished

The things I don't like:

  • Low constrast selection on some of the menus
  • Things are a little too small (the subs/players, the text). I have this problem too, when I zoom out from the board (with lots of players)
  • No tips during gameplay (I kept forgetting the controls)

I was a little shocked that it seemed, in some ways, a lot like TN.

Some other thoughts:

  • There is a flow mechanic in some of the levels (water flowing, which pushes you). I was thinking of having a weapon/powerup like this too!
  • The terrain doesn't seem to be involved much in gameplay. This is the case with TN too. I wish I could think of ways to integrate it more (like you can with a shooter where you take cover, for instance)
  • Has the same unit movement as TN, which some people don't like (you aim straight ahead at all times)
  • 8 level shapes... about the same as TN.
  • Music is a bit cheesy.
  • Apparently no network multiplayer

There seem to be a lot less weapons/skills than in TN, and no upgrade path. The campaign seemed a little boring - I'm worried this will be the case with TN too. It's really meant as a multiplayer game.

There are several people on the credits (3 or 4). I'm just me!

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