Corpse Killer

Last updated

Corpse Killer
Corpse Killer for Sega 32X, Front Cover.jpg
Developer(s) Digital Pictures
Publisher(s) Digital Pictures
Screaming Villains (PS4, Steam)
Limited Run Games (PS4, Switch retail)
Platform(s) Sega CD, Sega CD 32X, 3DO, Saturn, Windows, Macintosh, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
ReleaseSega CD
Saturn
  • NA: November 10, 1995
32X
3DO
  • NA: 1994
  • JP: August 25, 1995
PlayStation 4, Windows (Steam)
  • WW: July 30, 2019
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: October 30, 2020
Genre(s) Rail shooter
Mode(s) Single-player

Corpse Killer is a horror-themed rail shooter developed and published by Digital Pictures for the Sega CD, Sega CD 32X, 3DO, Sega Saturn, Windows 95 and Macintosh computers. An interactive variation on the zombie film genre, it utilizes live-action full motion video in a format similar to other games developed by Digital Pictures. Reviews for the game were mixed, generally criticizing the repetitive gameplay and low video quality, though many reviewers enjoyed the campy nature of the cutscenes. Corpse Killer was the first CD game released for the Sega 32X. [1] [2] It was later remastered for Steam, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Contents

Footage from the game was recycled for the 2003 film Game Over .

Story

An unnamed United States Marine is airdropped onto a tropical island on a top secret mission to stop the evil Dr. Hellman, who plans to release his army of zombies on the world. He is bitten by a zombie and also meets an attractive female reporter and a Rastafarian male driver. Four of the marine lieutenant's comrades are captured by Hellman and turned into zombies. To rescue them, the lieutenant infiltrates Hellman's compound and shoots each of them with bullets coated with extract from Datura plants, which can turn freshly-created zombies back into humans.

Cast

Gameplay

Most of the gameplay is similar to other light gun video games such as Lethal Enforcers . The player moves through the jungle shooting various zombies, collecting better ammunition (to prepare for a raid on Hellman's compound) and medicine to recover health.

Development

John Lafia directed the live-action footage,[ citation needed ] which was filmed on location in the Caribbean, [3] with most scenes being shot in Puerto Rico. [4] The actors portraying the zombies wore latex masks. [4]

Sega Saturn features

The Sega Saturn version of the title was released with the subtitle of "Graveyard Edition". This version features a few exclusives such as full-screen video (other versions have the FMV boxed in), improved video quality, a difficulty select (ranging from normal to bloodthirsty to cannibal), items and power-ups that drop down from the top of the screen and can be shot and collected, and "in your face" zombie attacks. These attacks involve a zombie that pops up immediately in front of the "camera" and attacks the player. They can only be killed with armor-piercing rounds or Datura rounds. The Saturn version is also the only version of the game to lack light gun support (though there is no mention of light guns in the manual or packaging for the 3DO version, it does in fact include light gun support).

Reception

Reviewing the Sega CD version, GamePro remarked that "This frisky first-person blast-a-thon looks and feels like a bad live-action movie. But your taste for 'bad' just might bring this Corpse to life." They particularly praised the B-movie production values, "typically grainy but stylish" FMV graphics, and the effective controls even when using a standard gamepad instead of a light gun. [7]

In their review of the 32X version, the four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly said that the "campy, bad b-movie" cutscenes are entertaining but the gameplay is dull, and that the graphics are only slightly improved from the Sega CD version. [1] Next Generation commented that the game itself is "decent", but that the improvement in graphics over the Sega CD version "is so small that only an expert could notice." [2] GamePro reviewed that the 32X version retains the elements that made the Sega CD version fun and has far better graphics. [8]

Electronic Gaming Monthly reversed their position on the game's cutscenes when reviewing the Saturn version, with all save Andrew Baran now saying that the scenes are dull and repetitive. They also criticized the substandard video quality of the FMV and the "laughable" gameplay. [5] GamePro's brief review, while acknowledging the FMV is grainy, noted it was at least superior to any previous version of the game. The reviewer praised the cursor movement's easy control and concluded, "This'll do for zombified Saturn gamers." [9] A brief review from Next Generation published over a year after the game's release criticized the "Cheesy graphics and extremely repetitious gameplay". [6] In 1995, MegaZone included Corpse Killer in their Top 50 Games In History writing: "Great full-motion video and a silly-but-fun plot." [10]

Re-release

William Mesa, Flash Film Works and Screaming Villains remastered the game from the original source material in 2019 and re-released it as a "25th Anniversary Edition" for Steam, and PlayStation 4. It was also released in physical PS4 media by Limited Run Games. [11] The new version contained several hours' worth of behind-the-scenes video from the original production as well as hundreds of still images, the original production script and other assorted documents.

Related Research Articles

<i>Area 51</i> (1995 video game) 1995 video game

Area 51 is a light gun arcade game released by Atari Games in 1995. It takes its name from the military facility. The plot of the game involves the player taking part in a Strategic Tactical Advanced Alien Response (STAAR) military incursion to prevent aliens, known as the Kronn, and alien-created zombies from taking over the Area 51 military facility.

<i>Alone in the Dark 2</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Alone in the Dark 2 is the 1993 survival horror video game developed and published by Infogrames. It is the second installment in the Alone in the Dark series. It was ported to the PC-98 and FM Towns in 1994 and to the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer in 1995 under the same name, and to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation in 1996 as Alone in the Dark: Jack is Back in Europe, and renamed as Alone in the Dark: One-Eyed Jack's Revenge in North America.

<i>Brain Dead 13</i> 1995 video game

Brain Dead 13 is an interactive movie video game developed and originally published in North America by ReadySoft on 15 December 1995 and in Europe by Empire Interactive on the same year for the MS-DOS. Unlike Dragon's Lair and Space Ace, which began as laserdisc arcade games, it was only released for personal computers and video game consoles. In the game, players assume the role of young computer expert Lance Galahad to defeat Dr. Nero Neurosis at his castle and its residents. Its gameplay is primarily presented through the use of full-motion video (FMV).

<i>Lethal Enforcers</i> 1992 video game

Lethal Enforcers is a 1992 light gun shooter released as an arcade video game by Konami. The graphics consist entirely of digitized photographs and digitized sprites. Home versions were released for the Super NES, Genesis and Sega CD during the following year and include a revolver-shaped light gun known as The Justifier.

<i>Batman Forever: The Arcade Game</i> 1996 video game

Batman Forever: The Arcade Game is a beat 'em up video game based on the movie Batman Forever. The subtitle is used to differentiate it from Batman Forever, another beat 'em up published by Acclaim at around the same time. One or two players, playing as Batman and Robin, fight Two-Face, the Riddler, and numerous henchmen.

<i>Shinobi Legions</i> 1995 video game

Shinobi Legions, known as Shinobi X in Europe and as Shin Shinobi Den in Japan, is an action game in the Shinobi series developed by TOSE and published by Sega in 1995 for Sega Saturn.

<i>Slam City with Scottie Pippen</i> 1994 video game

Slam City with Scottie Pippen is the first FMV basketball video game. It was developed by Digital Pictures for the PC and CD-ROM-based video game consoles such as the Sega CD. Scottie Pippen stars in the game, and performed the theme song. Ron Stein, who had previously directed the video footage for Prize Fighter, directed the video footage for the game. A 3DO Interactive Multiplayer version was announced but never released.

<i>Viewpoint</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Viewpoint is an isometric-scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Aicom and originally released in 1992 by Sammy and SNK for the Neo Geo hardware family.

<i>Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend</i> 1995 video game

Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend is a pocket billiards video game for the Sega Genesis and Sega Saturn, featuring famed billiards player Rudolf "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone. It was released as a sequel to Data East's earlier success Side Pocket. The objective is to travel through different cities and defeat AI-controlled hustlers. The player can also take on another human player in order to prove his worthiness at the pool table.

<i>The Need for Speed</i> 1994 racing video game

Road & Track Presents: The Need for Speed is a racing video game developed by EA Canada, originally known as Pioneer Productions, and published by Electronic Arts, released for the 3DO in 1994, and ported to MS-DOS in 1995. Another version of the game, The Need for Speed: Special Edition, was released in 1996 for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn platforms. The original 3DO version offers eight sports cars, including several exotic models and Japanese imports, and tasks the player with racing in three realistic point-to-point tracks either with or without a computer opponent. Subsequent ports of the game normally include an additional ninth car and have more tracks, including closed circuits. Checkpoints, traffic vehicles, and police pursuits commonly appear in the races.

<i>Spot Goes To Hollywood</i> 1995 video game

Spot Goes to Hollywood is a platforming video game developed by Eurocom and published by Acclaim Entertainment in North America and Virgin Interactive Entertainment in Europe for the Mega Drive/Genesis as the sequel to Cool Spot. A Sega Saturn and PlayStation version was later released, and featured FMV clips and different levels but similar gameplay to the original version. It utilizes an isometric graphics system to provide a pseudo-3D playing experience. The player controls Spot, once the mascot for the 7 Up soft drink, as he travels to various places trying to free his friends. A 32X version of the game was in development but never released.

<i>Creature Shock</i> 1994 video game

Creature Shock is a 1994 sci-fi first-person shooter game released for MS-DOS and 3DO. It was developed by Argonaut Games and published by Virgin Interactive. The game was later ported to the CD-i, Sega Saturn and PlayStation video game systems.

<i>Surgical Strike</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Surgical Strike is a full motion video based game developed by The Code Monkeys and published by Sega of America for the Sega CD in 1995. An enhanced 32X CD version of the game was published by Tec Toy in Brazil in 1995.

<i>Novastorm</i> 1995 video game

Novastorm is a rail shooter developed by Psygnosis in 1994. A version for the FM-Towns/Marty systems had previously been released under the name Scavenger 4.

<i>Krazy Ivan</i> 1996 video game

Krazy Ivan is a mecha first-person shooter released for PC, Sega Saturn and PlayStation in 1996 by Psygnosis.

<i>Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire</i> 1994 video game

Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire is the fourth in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series of turn-based strategy games produced by Koei and based on the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire was the last game in the series to be released on the PC in the United States until Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI. This was also the last Romance of the Three Kingdoms game to be released on the SNES.

<i>Shockwave Assault</i> 1994 video game

Shockwave Assault is a science fiction combat flight simulation video game developed by Advanced Technology Group and published by Electronic Arts for various home video game consoles and PCs. The player takes control of a futuristic fighter plane to defeat extraterrestrial ships and tripods.

<i>Supreme Warrior</i> 1995 video game

Supreme Warrior is a full motion video action game developed by Digital Pictures. It was released in 1995 for North America and Europe for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Sega CD, and 32X with a Sega CD attached, as well as for Macintosh and Windows. The game is themed as a kung fu movie where the player has to fight off opponents to protect half of a magical mask. Reviews of Supreme Warrior are mixed, variously praising the game's graphics while criticizing the gameplay and overuse of full motion video in the game.

<i>FIFA Soccer 96</i> 1995 video game

FIFA Soccer 96 is a football simulation video game developed by Extended Play Productions and released by Electronic Arts in 1995. It was released for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega 32X, Sega Game Gear, PlayStation, Super Nintendo Entertainment System and DOS systems.

<i>Road Rash</i> (1994 video game) 1994 racing video game

Road Rash is a 1994 racing and vehicular combat video game originally published by Electronic Arts (EA) for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. A version for the Sega CD was developed simultaneously and released in 1995 to act as a "bridge" between the 3DO version and the Sega Genesis title Road Rash 3, and the game was subsequently ported to the PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Microsoft Windows in 1996. The game is the third installment in the Road Rash series, and is centered around a series of motorcycle races throughout California that the player must win to advance to higher-difficulty races, while engaging in unarmed and armed combat to hinder the other racers.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Review Crew: Corpse Killer". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 68. Sendai Publishing. March 1995. p. 36.
  2. 1 2 3 "Shoot It!". Next Generation . No. 4. Imagine Media. April 1995. p. 90.
  3. ↑ "Corpse Killer". GamePro . No. 75. IDG. December 1994. p. 268.
  4. 1 2 "Day of the Zombies". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 63. Sendai Publishing. October 1994. pp. 126–127.
  5. 1 2 "Review Crew: Corpse Killer". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 77. Sendai Publishing. December 1995. p. 44.
  6. 1 2 "Every Sega Saturn Game Played, Reviewed, and Rated". Next Generation . No. 25. Imagine Media. January 1997. p. 63.
  7. ↑ Game Over Man (January 1995). "ProReview: Corpse Killer". GamePro . No. 76. IDG. p. 56.
  8. ↑ Toxic Tommy (March 1995). "ProReview: Corpse Killer". GamePro . No. 78. IDG. p. 60.
  9. ↑ "Quick Hits: Corpse Killers: The Graveyard Edition[ sic ]". GamePro . No. 90. IDG. March 1996. p. 73.
  10. ↑ "Top 50 Games In History". MegaZone (50): 4. April 1995.
  11. ↑ Romano, Sal (June 10, 2019). "Corpse Killer: 25th Anniversary Edition announced for PS4, PC". gematsu.com. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.