World-Spanning Strategy
A Review of MissionForce : Cyberstorm
by Jason Bednarik
MissionForce : Cyberstorm is a unique fusion of two widely-popular gaming formats : strategy and mechanized combat. Cyberstorm derives its strategy portion from the best-seller Command & Conquer (www.westwood.com) and its combat strengths from the Mechwarrior series (www.activision.com). This combination produces a game that is unlike many on the shelves today.
Cyberstorm strays from the pack by having a detailed, involved, and often construed plot line to form the base of the game. Complete bios of characters are included, along with a story segment which is given to you before each mission, much like that of Mechwarrior. To fully understand the plot, Cyberstorm's predecessor, Earthseige, would require extensive playing. Aside from the enumerated storyline, the game rests solely upon its mission scenarios. Although these scenarios are fun, they don't add much to the story or develop the plot. Adding to the existing story would have been a welcome improvement to immerse the player more into the Earthseige "universe".
The game has only two major sections - the base of operations and the battlefield map window. Before and after missions, you return to the HERC base and are able to affect gameplay in a few different ways. You can purchase new HERCs (the combat machines manned by bioderms) and bioderms (genetically-engineered warriors). Here, you can purchase, equip, buy, sell, and repair HERCs. In the bioderm facility, you can make, heal, train, and link bioderms to HERCs designed for them. Other parts of the HERC base allow you to select missions and control game options.
After selecting your mission, you can launch your HERCs into battle. Each scenario has its own objectives. Mining adds to your credit supply which enables you to purchase more HERCs and bioderms. Succeed in each mission and you will be rewarded with additional credits and promotions so that you can command more HERCs and bioderms. This further increases your success over the enemy Cybrid forces. Upon completion of certain missions, access to more advanced bioderms.
Overall, the gameplay is strong, but it lacks the intensity of other strategy games like Command & Conquer. Unlike C&C, you cannot create additional forces or reserves in battle mode. Having the ability to create backup forces in the field would extend the length of the mission and possibly give the player a tactical advantage over the computer. It also would have been more interesting and challenging.
One drawback of Cyberstorm is the difficulty in being able to see the character in the battlefield map. Many times, the character blends in too well with the colors on the map and ultimately, it hinders the gameplay significantly. All too often, slight flaws like this are the ruin to a fine game with excellent features all-around.
There is no music soundtrack that keeps you entertained, so unless you have a CD player nearby or a CD changer in your computer, it will be difficult to find some background noise. The sound effects are drab at most, and there isn't a variety of them. Effects from weapons and machinery constitute the complexity of the sound, which isn't very immersive. Users of surround sound systems and subwoofers will be disappointed due to the lack of music and effects.
However, there are a few saving graces that keeps Cyberstorm out of the bargain bin. Its compatibility win Windows 95 is excellent, and Sierra is known for their great setup programs that test your computer's capabilities before installing. Cyberstorm runs flawlessly in Win95, so multitasking is still a viable option. Doing other activities while running the game is wonderful compared to the dinosaurs of DOS. The game still hasn't crashed once, which is surprising given the number of problems with games in Windows 95. Cyberstorm initiated a new form of multiplayer gaming that allows a friend without the game to play. An extra CD is included for the multiplayer option. Westwood's Command & Conquer : Red Alert also makes use of this idea by including separate discs for each of the two major forces which allows the user to loan one to a friend.
Unfortunately, there is so much more that Cyberstorm could have been. I applaud Sierra for implementing DirectX video technology into the game. More cinema scenes and more varied missions along with a comprehensible storyline would have been great. The ability to build units in battle mode and the addition of music, enhanced sounds, and a level editor would be welcome additions to the game. MissionForce : Cyberstorm has created a niche in gaming which I hope will be expanded greater in the future.
Gamer's Zone Scorecard
| Product: | MissionForce : Cyberstorm |
| Company: | Sierra On-Line Direct Sales |
| Cost: | $49.95 |
System Requirements:
Pentium 75 Mhz or better, SVGA video card,
Soundblaster-compatible sound card, Windows 95,
8 MB RAM, 4x or faster CD-ROM drive, mouse.
Breakdown:
Fun Factor 3.5
Graphics 3
Sound 3
Interface 2.5
Replayability 3
Overall Score:
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