PSP World

Apache Overkill Review

I recently managed to fill one of my evenings with a test run of the commanding sounding Apache Overkill which is a PSP/PS3 Side Scrolling Mini. This was something that after doing a little research on was really looking forward to having a go with, mainly because I haven't played a side scrolling shooter since my Super Nintendo days [drifts off into a warm reminiscent daydream].\n \nSo after juggling downloading the title and my evening meal of Pizza lovingly prepared by my Girlfriend we were ready to take this game on. It is an honest straight forward outing. You play the Gunship Apache Chopper and your task is to defeat the baddies, collect the powers ups and the goodies, whilst aiming to reach the end of the level so you can take on the Boss. \n\nThe design of the game shows some signs of interest whilst sadly failing to deliver on the overall experience. The design of the overall game is a little bland and for that reason it really does take me back to the NES days. But as a modern title it just doesn't quite satisfy. The game play feels a little unchallenged as there are times when I almost felt like I could put the pad down and let the game trudge on whilst I went off and did something else. The style of playing was very straight forward and felt a little wooden as I wasn't enjoying playing, nor was I under the impression that I was fighting through the waves of bad guys, it was simply reach the end any way you can.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe tunes which are included aren't overly impressive as again they felt as though they were tacked on at the end as the sounds didn't really match up with what was going on screen wise. Odd noises pinging out here and there whilst you steer your chopper with the analog and faultlessly take everyone out without being hit once. The strangest thing really was how the stand out thing about the game was the back ground and the effort that had gone into it to offer a sense of depth to the screen which was done very well. As I played I kept thinking, they have done really well with the depth element and it did improve the overall experience. When you notice this you do feel as though they could have been a little bit more focused on game play and variation. Just because a games a mini, doesn't mean it has to be mini in quality. \n\n \nNow for the positives, as a title it offers a very straight forward if a little tepid shooting episode. The levels are swift and I am sure if you ramp up the difficulty maybe even a little challenging. After testing to see if there were any changes to be seen if you take damage the Chopper will partially burn which adds to effect and offers plenty of warning about any damage you are taking, as well s the trusty health bar. The way targets and enemies jump in has been done with a retro feel with everything on screen entering as though they have \nrun/flown into a room and then forgotten why they are there, which does add a little personality into the game and reminds you that its not here to be taken too seriously, it's a mini game, with mini adventure, written on it mini missiles. If you look at it from this perspective you find yourself enjoying it that little bit more.\n\n\nLikes: \n \n· As a game it does try to win you over with its no frills action \n[smouldering gunship animation is good]\n· Small details, especially background depth efforts, do add to the \nvisuals overall\n· Good if you want to fill a couple of minutes whilst waiting for you \nother half to get ready [or should you have a boring journey ahead - see \nfootnotes]\n\n\nDislikes:\n \n· Doesn't hold your attention very long\n· Feels scattered and as though it doesn't know what it suppose to be \ndoing\n· Quality is very low in the same way as buying Value Chicken Kievs \n \n\nTo conclude, as a Mini we have seen much better as a whole, with titles offering \nchallenging outings and much better overall experiences. It's not the worst game \nout there but at the same time it's not the best. If 'old skool no brainer side \nscrollers' are up your street then you should try this game. If not, you would \nbe better to steer clear of this as you'll play it once and sadly forget about \nit. \n\nFinal Score: 2/5\n\n\n*If I were to offer one piece of advice, the game in on the wrong format, get \nthis ported to IPhone as this would improve train journeys across the globe!\n\n\n
\n\n----------------------------------\nPost author: Liam Hall\n\n\n
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