 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Action Developer: Dialogue Design Publisher: Meridian4 |
No matter how it is looked at, whether it is a rehashing of a classic arcade game from their youth, a game that takes players down
memory lane to a time of more basic games, or if it is a game that emulates that of a popular game from the past, independent game
designers are inspired to release retro games instead of the typical gaming originals. Yes, cash may have something to do with it, but
why try to reinvent the wheel when many games from the past have already proven to be working just fine. “Tank Universal” is one such
game, from Dialogue Design, that goes back to a simpler time in the gaming world.
“Tank Universal” was developed by graphic designer Phil Jones of New Zealand…that’s it, a one man team. The game takes players
back to the days before Windows was even a twinkle in Bill Gates’ eye, when three dimensional gaming was unheard of and
“Wolfenstein 3D” was leading the gaming industry into the future. Since the game has a make-up of visuals that are similar to that of
Disney’s Tron, the game looks even more simplistic.
The graphics are the games strength, and weakness. Players will enter rooms that are nothing more than four blank walls. Explosions
are a collection of rectangles. Everything is straight edged and blocky, making many believe that they possibly chose the wrong screen
resolution before playing. The floors blend in to walls and the walls blend into the ceilings. Some may be reminded of some of the first
3D software to be released when playing this game. This all may sound bad, but it brings back the thoughts of a simpler time, making
it all seem okay.
The story of “Tank Universal” is a little questionable because of the fact that the plot jumps right in with a terminally ill patient wearing a
virtual reality headset, it is within this headset that most of the game takes place. Once in this virtual world, players will learn of a
strange world where one society has been dominant. Players may get frustrated at the numerous cut scenes that are unable to be
skipped, which seem very pointless and slow that some may wish that the developer had asked for a little bit of help. Also, the dialogue
in the cut scenes is given as text rather than audible dialogue.
The game play is strong enough to carry the game and make most players be able to forget about the lack of plot and the low quality
graphics. The game is a classic tank shooter that keeps players interested through the majority of the game because it does the
arcade shooting so well, but it is continually keeping things fresh by giving players new content all the time.
The game is more than simply blowing up the bad guys, players must plan their every move in advance, launching attacks ahead of
moving targets and adjusting the trajectory of shots in order to hit targets in the distance, as well as, compensating for gravity. Players
aren’t just fighting tanks either, they are fighting spaceships, mechs and gunners, each of which has distinctive weapons and attacks.
Players will also need to collect “glyphs” which are retrieved by harvester units and used to open portals which new friendly tanks
appear. Though players can’t directly control these friendly units, they can protect them and use them to reach to the final goal.
Players will find that there is no shortage of enemies and friends running around each level, a sky full of spaceships and a large
number of stationary guns shooting at every chance they get. With so much action going on all the time, players can’t help but to have
fun playing this game.
Though most of the game is a collection of similar flip the switch tasks, which may seem boring to many, it is the fact that this is just
one of the game play concepts used in this game. The physical design of each level is very unique, and players have such a wide
variety of weapons at their disposal, other than the typical standard tank shells, most of which may be added and upgraded at terminals
positioned throughout the level, adding more interest to this already interesting game.
The game’s originality is not limited to its graphic though. For example, players aren’t able to perform a manual save, which could be a
cause of frustration for some. Players also can’t use a gamepad to play, and they can’t switch between perspectives since the game
has only one perspective. Also, players cannot expect to have all of the levels to be of equal originality and fun. Any levels that must be
played outside of the tank on foot are painful. Also, “Tank Universal” does not support multiplayer options. This is definitely the type of
game that interaction with other players would be a good thing. Luckily the sound in the game is pretty good. Though there isn’t much
for music, the sound effects are fairly impressive.
Overall the game forces players to wonder how a single person could develop a game of this high of a caliber. An arcade tank shooter
game with tons of variables has a quality to it that is highly addictive that will pulls players back to the game time and time again. The
game may lack in the high quality graphics and music, but it rivals many of the big titles on the shelves in a similar genre. Hopefully Phil
will be releasing another new game soon, with a little financial backing and some help next time.
memory lane to a time of more basic games, or if it is a game that emulates that of a popular game from the past, independent game
designers are inspired to release retro games instead of the typical gaming originals. Yes, cash may have something to do with it, but
why try to reinvent the wheel when many games from the past have already proven to be working just fine. “Tank Universal” is one such
game, from Dialogue Design, that goes back to a simpler time in the gaming world.
“Tank Universal” was developed by graphic designer Phil Jones of New Zealand…that’s it, a one man team. The game takes players
back to the days before Windows was even a twinkle in Bill Gates’ eye, when three dimensional gaming was unheard of and
“Wolfenstein 3D” was leading the gaming industry into the future. Since the game has a make-up of visuals that are similar to that of
Disney’s Tron, the game looks even more simplistic.
The graphics are the games strength, and weakness. Players will enter rooms that are nothing more than four blank walls. Explosions
are a collection of rectangles. Everything is straight edged and blocky, making many believe that they possibly chose the wrong screen
resolution before playing. The floors blend in to walls and the walls blend into the ceilings. Some may be reminded of some of the first
3D software to be released when playing this game. This all may sound bad, but it brings back the thoughts of a simpler time, making
it all seem okay.
The story of “Tank Universal” is a little questionable because of the fact that the plot jumps right in with a terminally ill patient wearing a
virtual reality headset, it is within this headset that most of the game takes place. Once in this virtual world, players will learn of a
strange world where one society has been dominant. Players may get frustrated at the numerous cut scenes that are unable to be
skipped, which seem very pointless and slow that some may wish that the developer had asked for a little bit of help. Also, the dialogue
in the cut scenes is given as text rather than audible dialogue.
The game play is strong enough to carry the game and make most players be able to forget about the lack of plot and the low quality
graphics. The game is a classic tank shooter that keeps players interested through the majority of the game because it does the
arcade shooting so well, but it is continually keeping things fresh by giving players new content all the time.
The game is more than simply blowing up the bad guys, players must plan their every move in advance, launching attacks ahead of
moving targets and adjusting the trajectory of shots in order to hit targets in the distance, as well as, compensating for gravity. Players
aren’t just fighting tanks either, they are fighting spaceships, mechs and gunners, each of which has distinctive weapons and attacks.
Players will also need to collect “glyphs” which are retrieved by harvester units and used to open portals which new friendly tanks
appear. Though players can’t directly control these friendly units, they can protect them and use them to reach to the final goal.
Players will find that there is no shortage of enemies and friends running around each level, a sky full of spaceships and a large
number of stationary guns shooting at every chance they get. With so much action going on all the time, players can’t help but to have
fun playing this game.
Though most of the game is a collection of similar flip the switch tasks, which may seem boring to many, it is the fact that this is just
one of the game play concepts used in this game. The physical design of each level is very unique, and players have such a wide
variety of weapons at their disposal, other than the typical standard tank shells, most of which may be added and upgraded at terminals
positioned throughout the level, adding more interest to this already interesting game.
The game’s originality is not limited to its graphic though. For example, players aren’t able to perform a manual save, which could be a
cause of frustration for some. Players also can’t use a gamepad to play, and they can’t switch between perspectives since the game
has only one perspective. Also, players cannot expect to have all of the levels to be of equal originality and fun. Any levels that must be
played outside of the tank on foot are painful. Also, “Tank Universal” does not support multiplayer options. This is definitely the type of
game that interaction with other players would be a good thing. Luckily the sound in the game is pretty good. Though there isn’t much
for music, the sound effects are fairly impressive.
Overall the game forces players to wonder how a single person could develop a game of this high of a caliber. An arcade tank shooter
game with tons of variables has a quality to it that is highly addictive that will pulls players back to the game time and time again. The
game may lack in the high quality graphics and music, but it rivals many of the big titles on the shelves in a similar genre. Hopefully Phil
will be releasing another new game soon, with a little financial backing and some help next time.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
