2008 Competition Results: (4:A Game For Helen)

4th Place – Battlezone – Total: 257

Ian:

Tanks, but no tanks.

The Atari arcade game, BattleZone is one of all time fave vector graphic games. Controlling a futuristic tank in a minimalist landscape had never seemed so real, especially when there were no other 3D tank games around when I was a wee
youngster.

So here we are over a quarter of a century later playing an updated remake of that self same game, only with a poor (but semi-authentic, I suppose) control scheme. There are various options for head-trackers etc. but I haven’t got one, so I can’t test how well the game plays as a result.

So after all these years, is it any fun? Well, yes actually, but only for a short spin.

The 3D vector engine does a very capable job of reproducing the original arcade action, but the fun is reduced somewhat by the control system which aims to replicate the arcade control mechanism. However, without the arcade’s fancy controller, it just doesn’t do it very well. Offering a straight forward/backward/left/right mechanic might have been a better option for modern gamers.

Everything is pretty much as you’d expect and doesn’t really add anything of any true value to the original game. And that’s a pretty big problem really. I can play the actual game in MAME, which is in no way inferior. When I play a remake, I hope to see and hear improvements on the original game – this game doesn’t really deliver, except by adding some new, not so sleek vehicles to destroy.

It’s not a bad game, but times have moved on significantly since BattleZone was released and the game is looking a bit long in the tooth nowadays. It’ll keep retro heads happy for a few moments before they move onto something a little more “solid.”  There just isn’t enough meat on these bones to satisfy this retro-gamer’s hunger.

65%

Geekay:

One of the most memorable and iconic vector graphic games from the arcade era makes its way onto category “A Game for Helen”.  Not that I can test the eye tracking mode, but it is nice to see a remake in this section rather than the main remake category.  It’s time some decent remakes were given the accessibility makeover.

Battlezone is what it is – a tit for tat remake of the original.  Thank goodness the author has decided to do this version rather than Atari’s atrocious adaptation for the 2600.
For what it is meant to be, the game is great. I just wish that the original was expanded upon Albeit, Cinemascope mode has been included for those that have 3d glasses hiding up their loft, but I wish there was a variety of graphical enhancements going on.  This is the age of the glowy vector.  Other games in this competition have showed this off to great effect. Different playfields with alternative alien skies would have been a nice touch too. Instead we just have a very bland remake.

Some new sounds wouldn’t go a miss either or perhaps a nice suiting soundtrack.  Let the purists switch them all off if they so desire. I’m sure those in need of using an eye tracker will be delighted in this remake.  Others will just prefer it on MAME for a 5 minute shot.  Otherwise, you will reset this version with a feeling that you wanted more.

57%

Spray:

‘Helen’ has given us some pretty damn obvious choices for games and gaming styles, on the surface of it, you might think that you’re quite limited as to the type of game you can justifiably make accessible and still have a great game.

If such is still your view then prepare to be corrected. BattleZone, the old Atari arcade game wouldn’t be the choice of many people to be ‘Helenized’(TM) but Genki’s not a man to be bound by rational thinking..
Just looking at this from a remake point of view makes my mouth water with it’s luverly vector graphics and pumpin’ tunes, it’s great and addictive gameplay and little extras like the promise of Easter eggs if you can find them.

Add on to that eyetracker and eyetracker + one-switch support which both work flawlessly and you have yet another spankingly good and highly accessible game.

So, Genki, on behalf of the ‘Games For Helen’ category, TANKS very much!

73%

Oogy:

You drive a tank into enemy territory. You’re cut off from all supplies and contact with your allies and you spot enemy tanks on the horizon. What do you do? You blast them to kingdome-come, that’s what.

This is actualy a good remake in its own right if you play the keyboard controlled version. There’s a little radar on-screen which tells you where enemy tanks are spotted, and the game will tell you which way to turn the fastest to get him in your sights. The first few are usualy not too hard, but once they start shooting back you need to watch where you’re going. Also, did I mention the missile they shoot at you? It’s a bit of a bastard that one.

The eye-tracker version can also be played by moving the mouse cursor where normaly the player’s eyes would go. I’ve tried this and it works well. Except that the tank doesn’t seem to turn as fast, and the movement of the background is not so smooth. Also, enemies do not shoot back for the game that I played, and I am not sure where the challenge is in that.

Personally I would’ve liked to see a filled-polygon mode. It would’ve done no bad for the game at least, and might have increased its score a bit.

62%

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