Trev
New Callsign; Dog Meat!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: Review - BattleSport |
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A 3DO Maniac exclusive!
BattleSport is a game that never got the respect it deserved. Released in the 4th quarter of ’95 it not only had to compete with 3DO’s other holiday releases, but also the first x-mas season of the Playstation and Saturn. It got mixed reviews and had so-so sales, but one thing is certain … it is great competitive fun! Let’s re-visit this gem and see what makes it so good.
The idea behind this game may not be 100% fresh but it is executed so well, who cares? It pits you against a variety of colorful opponents (or a friend in 2-player mode!  ) with the objective of shooting the ball into your opponent’s goal. What makes this game unique, and so much fun, is the setting in which it all takes place. You are thrown into a number of arenas that get more complex as you progress. You ride futuristic vehicles that are upgradeable and capable of firing numerous weapons.  There are over a dozen random power-ups that you need to make smart use of. And the goal which you are aiming for … well, it is constantly changing. Sometimes it is moving, sometimes it has openings on all sides, etc … The constant variety ensures that each contest feels new and exciting! 
The graphics in this game are solid, and while you likely won’t be blown away you will no doubt respect them for being up to the task at hand. With a game as frantic as this the graphics never detract with polygon tearing, or other glitches common in early games of this style. The sound effects are likewise good, and compliment the arcade nature of this game. Of course with so much attention being focused on the activity on the screen, you may not really notice a great deal of either of these. 
The standard exhibition and 2-player modes are offered, as well as a tournament mode. In this mode you take on your opponents in order of rank, and it is interesting to see how much they vary in terms of strategy. You’ll need to have several tricks up your sleeve in order to advance. I must say that each victory offers a great deal of satisfaction.  A save mode is offered so that you can return at any time.
An equipment store is offered in which you can buy all types of goodies for your tank. Sadly, the small inventory means you can only carry a tiny number with you at one time. It is fun learning which of these are the most useful, and each player is likely to have his or her own favorites. These are not all weapon based either.  There are several that upgrade your vehicle, as well as a couple more unique ones. One example is clocks, which can add a anywhere from a minute to a full period to each contest (great for when you are behind late)
Overall, those looking for a competitive arcade type experience on the 3DO can’t do much better than BattleSport. It is just pure fun, and offers replay value galore! Among the best of the Studio 3DO published games.
-Trev |
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