• Tag Archives Interplay

  • Fragile Allegiance (DOS, Windows 95)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/662968741895847936/retrocgads-usa-1996


    Fragile Allegiance was a sci-fi themed 4X real-time strategy game published by Gremlin Interactive/Interplay for DOS and Windows 95 in 1997. It isn’t as well known as some other similar games, possibly because the market isn’t as big for this genre as others and this wasn’t one of the top one or two. However, despite perhaps not being the best of the genre, it is still a solid game and one that any fan of real-time strategy should consider trying.

    Something I did not know was that Fragile Allegiance was essentially a remake of a game published in 1994 for the Amiga called K240 with upgraded graphics and an improved user interface as well as a few other game play enhancements. K240 itself was a sequel to a game published in 1991 for the Amiga, Atari ST and DOS called Utopia: The Creation of a Nation. So despite being somewhat less known that higher profile games, this game alread had a long lineage when it was published.

    You start off as a mining recruit to a megacorporation. Your goal initially is to sell as much ore as possible to the Federation. To accomplish this, you must colonize and mine asteroids essentially creating your own faction. You compete with other colonies/factions sometimes via trade and sometimes via violence. Though your job may be to sell ore to the Federation, you also need it to build your own ships, weapons, etc. so there is a balancing act.

    Control is fairly straightforward though it takes some getting used to the icons used. While overall this is an excellent game, there are a few flaws. For example, combat is over simplified yet mining and administration can require micromanagement. However, there are features to minimize the micromanagement as you advance (hire administrators, etc.). In addition, while there are 7 alien races in the game, you can only play as the humans. It could have been a much richer game experience, especially for multiplayer, if other races with unique attributes and technology could have been used.

    Nevertheless, this is a solid 4X real-time strategy game and worth playing for fans of the genre. Fortunately, you can easily get this game on a modern computer via GoG and it will only cost you just short of 6 bucks…an infinitely better value than most modern games in my opinion. I believe it is also available on Steam. Otherwise, if you are a die-hard DOS fan, track down an original CD and give it a try.

    The first image above is an ad from an unknown magazine (found on tumblr). The other images are official promo screen shots.


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  • Red Asphalt (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    psm_002_-_1997_oct_019

    Source: PSM – Issue Number 2 – October 1997

    Red Asphalt is a racing game that was released for the PlayStation in January 1998. Technically, it is a direct sequel to Rock ‘n Roll Racing which was released for the Super Nintendo in 1993. Taken on its own, Red Asphalt is a decent game. However, as a sequel to Rock ‘n Roll Racing, it is somewhat of a disappointment.

    The problem with Red Asphalt isn’t that it is a bad game, it’s just a completely different type of game than the original. The original was an excellent game and played kind of like a more advanced R.C. Pro Am and had a similar overhead perspective. Red Asphalt went in a completely different direction and was more of a clone of Wipeout XL. There’s nothing wrong with that if you like that type of game. However, Wipeout XL was a better game and personally, I like the original style of Rock ‘n Roll Racing better.

    If you like racing games, particularly Wipeout style racing games, then this one is worth a shot. However, do yourself a favor and definitely try the original Rock ‘n Roll Racing (on the Super Nintendo…the Genesis version isn’t as good) as it is a much better game. To the best of my knowledge, Red Asphalt has not been re-released so you will have to track down an original or use emulation to play it. Unfortunately, the same is true of Rock ‘n Roll Racing.

    The ad above is from the October 1997 issue of PSM.




    📂This entry was posted in PlayStation Retro Games 📎and tagged

  • ClayFighter (Sega Genesis)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    ClayFighter
    Interplay
    Mega Drive / Genesis
    1994

    ClayFighter was released for the Sega Genesis in 1994, about a year after the original Super Nintendo release. Fortunately, the Genesis version was just as good. In an era where 2D fighters seemed to be the dominant form of video gaming, ClayFighter was a step above the rest, at least in terms of originality and humor.

    ClayFighter takes the typical 2D fighting game and adds claymation. Graphics were created by actually doing stop motion photography of clay figures on an Amiga. Up to 80 models were crated for each figure to get all of the moves necessary. The plot of the game involves a clay meteor that crashes into a circus turning all of the performers into clay caricatures of themselves with superpowers. This is a very humorous game and for those that like fighting games but aren’t fond of all the graphic violence or are just looking for a humorous alternative, then this is the game for you.

    ClayFighter was a big success. I’m not sure why the Genesis version followed so far behind the Super Nintendo version unless it was a deal with Nintendo or they just weren’t sure how successful it would be. There were two sequels including ClayFighter 2: Judgement Clay for the SNES and ClayFighter 63 1/3 for the N64 (the original was the only one on a Sega platform). There were also a couple of in-between enhancements for each platform, one of which was a Blockbuster exclusive limited to 20,000 copies (Sculptor’s Cut for the N64). Rereleases have been pretty limited with just a Virtual Console release in 2009. Interplay announced a more modern sequel and a remastered edition at different times but both were cancelled and unfortunately there is nothing currently in the works.

    Screenshots above are from the Sega Genesis version of the game.






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