Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Score: 80% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: LucasArts Developer: LucasArts Media: CD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Action
Graphics & Sound: LucasArts has once again provided an eye-popping 3D environment that seamlessly transfers from the cinematic portions to the game play portions. Most of the time you will be watching the cinematics and then you will suddenly have control over your character. The characters are somewhat blocky at close inspection, but it in no way takes away from the enjoyment. The graphics are superb, with many details from the movie added to give you the feeling that you have been here before - if you have seen the movie. The sound immerses you into the game with background noise and incidental music. A surround sound system adds to the enjoyment, but it is not necessary.
Gameplay: If you have ever heard the expression of playing the movie, Phantom Menace gives you the opportunity to do this. You follow the general storyline of the movie, with interesting side stories to add a degree of difficulty and mystery. You will travel all of the worlds of the movie, including Naboo, Tatooine, and Coruscant. In different parts of the game, you will control different characters. You start off by controlling Obi-Wan, and then Qui-gon, and then the Queen, and then Captain Panaka. Each character has a different set of abilities and weapons. If you are playing one of the Jedi, you will be able to wield a lightsaber and have the ability to force push your opponent. (Hint: this does not work very well on Darth Maul). If you are playing the Queen or Panaka, you will have an arsenal of weapons that you will be able to find in secret rooms and under tables.
Difficulty: Four words are all you need: 'SAVE YOUR GAME OFTEN!!!' If you are about to double jump to another ledge, or about to confront four destroyer droids (Hint: don't do this), save your game.
Game Mechanics: A standard joystick and a few keyboard strokes let you control everything. If you have a multi-buttoned joystick, you don't even need a keyboard. This game will last you hours, but they are enjoyable hours. I am the explorer type, so going around and trying to find all the secret rooms, figuring out how to get up on a second floor level without a staircase, and the numerous battle droids to shoot, lends to a adventurous time away from normalcy.
-Wickserv, GameVortex Communications AKA Eric Wickwire
Minimum System Requirements: Win95/98 with DirectX, PII200. 32MB Ram, 4MB PCI or AGP Direct 3D Graphics Accelerator, 16-bit sound card, 4X CD   Test System: PII450, 256 RAM, 36XCD, STB Velocity 4400
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