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  • Uprising X (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Uprising X was a game released exclusively on the PlayStation in 1998. It is a sort of hybrid first person shooter, tank simulator and real time strategy game. This combination of genres makes it relatively unique but it also made it a hard sell.

    The plot of the game is just a thinly veiled excuse to blow stuff up but that isn’t really a problem. This isn’t really a story driven game. You get to control a futuristic tank armed with weapons such as lasers and guided missiles. In addition to controlling the tank, you can also call for any available reinfocements when needed such as infantry, more tanks or aircraft. While driving your tank around, you must search for good places to build on. In each location you build, you will first construct a large building with a turret on top. Once this is build you can enter the turret and control the gun or build other structures and factories.

    Uprising X also offers a split screen two-player mode with three types of games: challenge, death match and seige. The first two are about killing the other player directly while the last one involves protecting your base from enemy assault.

    Uprising X was actually a sequel to Uprising, a Windows game, and offered the same genre combination. While Uprising got mostly positive reviews, it didn’t sell as well as they would indicate. Part of the problem was that gamers just didn’t really know what kind of game to expect. While the combination of genres made for a unique and interesting game, RTS fans would often be turned off by the action or action fans by the strategy aspects. Despite selling below expectations, Uprising X followed. Other than another sequel on the PC (Uprising 2) and despite critical acclaim, there have been no further games in the series nor have there been any remakes. However, if you are a fan of either or both genres, this is a series worth giving a shot. All three games in the series are good but Uprising X is the only one of them to be released on a console.

    The ad above is from the February 1999 issue of The Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine and the screen shot are from Moby Games.






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  • The Unholy War (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    official-playstation-magazine-vol-2-issue-4-0083

    Source: Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine – Volume 2, Issue 4 – January 1999

    The Unholy War is a relatively obscure but unique fighting/strategy game released for the PlayStation in 1998. I say obscure because I don’t really remember it and I am not aware of any sequels or follow-ups to this game. Having said that, it generally got very good reviews and sounds like an interesting game that I need to add to my infinite list of games to play one of these days.


    The Unholy War has two modes of play: Mayhem and Strategy. In Mayhem mode the game is basically a 3D fighting game in which you are thrown into an arena against another player or the computer. You must choose your side: Arcane (magic based) or Technos (technology based). Each character has unique strengths and weaknesses and the arena is peppered with various obstacles and power-ups.


    Strategy mode adds an interesting twist. In strategy mode, you have a group of fighters that you are attempting to destroy your opponents base with. It is played on a hex grid and is turn based. A turn consists of a move or the use of a special skill. Moving into the space of an opposing unit gives you the option of attack in which case the game switches to Mayhem mode for the duration of the battle. Each side gets three turns before it is the other persons turn.


    There’s a story-line but it isn’t really important. However, at a time when there seemed to be an infinite number of 3D and 2D fighting games that didn’t really vary all that much, this one offers a pretty unique twist. The magic vs. technology concept along with the strategic game-play option definitely makes it stand out from the crowd.





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  • Final Fantasy Tactics (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Final Fantasy Tactics (PlayStation)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/172322695013/retrogamingblog-final-fantasy-tactics-was

    Is it a role playing game with strategic elements or a strategy game with role playing elements? Yes, yes it is. Final Fantasy Tactics brought the sub-genre of tactical role playing games to the masses on the PlayStation in 1998. It wasn’t the first but it was definitely the most successful and well known example to that point. It was a great game for Final Fantasy fans (assuming you don’t mind lots of combat) and strategy fans alike.

    While the title makes it sound like more of a strategy game (and it is), the role-playing elements are much more than just superficial. This is really a true Final Fantasy style RPG, just with lots of of combat and much more detailed control over the combat than your typical Final Fantasy game. Final Fantasy Tactics is an excellent game and is really one of those must have games for the PlayStation.

    Unlike other Final Fantasy games up to that point, battles occurred on a 3D isometric battlefield. Battles are turn-based and things like range, damage, and speed are all determined by individual unit stats as you would expect. Units gain experience, level up and increase their abilities as they participate in battles.

    Final Fantasy Tactics has been re-released a few times over the years. It was re-released as part of the Sony Greatest Hits line four years after its original release. An updated PlayStation Portable version titled Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions was released in 2007. There was also a Final Fantasy Tactics Advance for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. It had essentially the same game play, graphics and locations but the story was somewhat different and it was a bit shorter though it had more side missions. A sequel to the GBA version titled Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift was released in 2008. If you prefer to play the original on a modern system, Final Fantasy Tactics was released via the PlayStation Network for the PS3 , PSM and PS Vita in 2009 and I believe it is still available.





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