Off-World Interceptor

Last updated
Off-World Interceptor
Off-World Interceptor.jpg
Developer(s) Crystal Dynamics
Publisher(s) Crystal Dynamics
Platform(s) 3DO, Sega Saturn, PlayStation
Release3DO
Sega Saturn
  • NA: 1995
  • EU: November 1995
PlayStation
Genre(s) Racing, vehicular combat
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Off-World Interceptor is a third-person vehicular car combat game, released for the 3DO. An alternate version of the game was later released for the Sega Saturn and PlayStation consoles, named Off-World Interceptor Extreme. The two versions of the game have identical core gameplay elements, though the Extreme version is tweaked to feel more like the arcade mode in the original Off-World Interceptor.

Contents

The game was developed under the title "Orion Off-Road". [3]

Gameplay

3DO Interactive Multiplayer version screenshot. 3DOIM Off-World Interceptor.png
3DO Interactive Multiplayer version screenshot.

Off-World Interceptor is a rail-based off-road vehicular combat game, giving the player the ability to drive (and in some cases, fly) anywhere he so chooses. The player takes the role of a "trashman", a bounty hunter who chases after fugitives in order to earn money. A core element of the game is that the player's car can navigate unrealistically steep slopes, and can move infinitely to the left or right of the environment. The car itself is not explicitly locked to a rail, though the player cannot turn around or back up. Every car is armed with jump jets, devices that allow the car to both jump and fly, and all cars can pitch up or down for aiming purposes.

There are a total of six cars in Off-World Interceptor, each with its own unique attributes and abilities. Each one has five attributes, all of which can be upgraded. The most common enemies in the game are the "Cash Cops", mercenary-like enemies similar to the player character, and stronger variations of each general enemy are encountered within each passing level. To eliminate enemies, each car is equipped with its own unique weapon, which can be powered up for a different effect, as well as a limited number of guided missiles, plasma mines, and airstrikes (which do severe damage to every enemy on screen). The player also carries a limited number of nitros, which when used give the car a burst of high speed for several seconds; this allows the player to both race past difficult parts and complete the level faster. Each level includes objects native to the environment, such as trees and boulders. While posing as a driving hazard to the player, they do not do any actual damage.[ citation needed ]

The game is divided into six levels, each with multiple stages. The objective in each stage is to get from the beginning of the level to the finish line. Each stage is populated by various objects and enemies that are relative to the environment. The player is given the opportunity to pick up items within the level, such as missiles, nitros, airstrikes, fuel cans, wrenches (health refills), clones (extra lives), and money to purchase upgrades for their car. After so many stages, the player fights an end level boss. Defeating a boss awards the player a bounty, which is a sum of money much larger than can be acquired from level pickups. Should the player take too long in any stage, including boss stages, the criminal that is being pursued escapes from the area and an air-strike is called in. The air-strike obliterates everything in the level, including the player. Before each stage, the player visits the repair shop, where they can purchase items, a new vehicle, or upgrades to the current vehicle.

In arcade mode, the player is given the ability to play on any level he or she desires, except for the final level. All vehicles in arcade mode are equal in price and attributes, giving the player the ability to purchase the car he desires rather than needs (unlike in story mode). Battle mode is a two player deathmatch mode. A level is selected and the players choose their cars. Upon entering the level, the goal is to eliminate the other player on the track. Training mode is only found in the alternate version of Off-World Interceptor, Off-World Interceptor Extreme. In this mode, a random level is chosen, and the player is given the ability to drive through the stage without interference from enemies.

Reception

Off-World Interceptor received mostly mixed reviews. Reviewing the 3DO version, Sarah Nade of GamePro criticized the music and "slightly hokey" sound effects, but praised the graphics and cutscenes, and concluded "Once any early frustration wears off, OWI's great graphics and game play will drive you wild." [12] Electronic Gaming Monthly 's Mike Weigand commented, "The unusual perspective takes some time getting used to, but the graphics and sound effects really show off the 3DO capabilities." [6] A reviewer for Next Generation said of the gameplay that "It's a little more fast and furious than usual, and addictive in a mindless way, but nothing you haven't seen before." However, he felt that the Mystery Science Theater 3000 -style commentators were effectively funny and added freshness and originality to the game. [7]

Reviewing the Saturn version, Rob Bright of Sega Saturn Magazine commented that the game's premise is interesting but the actual gameplay is poor, especially the "unrealistic" movements of the player's vehicle. [9] A reviewer for Next Generation argued that the inclusion of futuristic action makes the already exciting genre of off-road racing more interesting, and that the bizarre physics of the game come to feel perfectly natural. He nonetheless concluded that "OWI is a solid action game, if not much beyond that." [8] GamePro's The Axe Grinder criticized the split-screen of Battle mode as too confining and the graphics as suffering from slowdown and overcrowded battlefields, but praised the combination of racing and shooting, the accurate controls, and the commentators in the cutscenes. He concluded, "While far from perfect, Off-World Interceptor Extreme provides good thrills and a nice combination of racing and shooting." [13]

Scary Larry of GamePro gave the PlayStation version a positive review. While he criticized the world designs as lacking imagination, he was pleased with the fast pace and absence of slowdown, and felt the high-speed shooting action would appeal to most gamers. [14] Power Unlimited reviewed the PlayStation and gave a score of 91%, they praised the gameplay writing: "Super intense, a pleasure to play." [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Zool</i> 1992 video game

Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension is a platform game written for the Amiga by Gremlin Graphics and published in 1992. It was marketed as a rival to Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog. Zool was ported to other platforms and followed by Zool 2 in 1993.

<i>Zombies Ate My Neighbors</i> 1993 video game

Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a run and gun video game developed by LucasArts and published by Konami for the Super NES and Sega Genesis consoles in 1993.

<i>Revolution X</i> 1994 video game

Revolution X is a shooting gallery video game developed by Midway and released in arcades in 1994. The gameplay is similar to Midway's earlier Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but is themed around the band Aerosmith. The oppressive New Order Nation regime and their leader Helga have abducted Aerosmith, and players use a mounted gun to control onscreen crosshairs and shoot enemies. The members of Aerosmith are hidden throughout the game's international locales and must be found in order to receive the game's true ending.

<i>Olympic Summer Games</i> (video game) 1996 video game

Olympic Summer Games is an official video game of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. It is the successor to Olympic Gold and Winter Olympics. It was the last "Olympic" video game released for the fourth generation of consoles, as well as the Game Boy.

<i>BC Racers</i> 1994 video game

BC Racers is a racing video game released by Core Design in 1994 for the Sega CD, and in 1995 for the Sega 32X, the 3DO, and MS-DOS. The game was designed by Toby Gard, who later created Lara Croft. BC Racers mixes a racing simulation by mixing with a "prehistoric" theme. It is the third game in the Chuck Rock series, despite the Chuck Rock connection not being prominent.

<i>Magic Carpet</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Magic Carpet is a 3D flying video game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts in 1994. Its graphics and gameplay were considered innovative and technically impressive at the time of its release.

<i>Return Fire</i> 1995 video game

Return Fire is a 1995 video game developed by Silent Software, Inc. for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer and ported to the PC and PlayStation in 1996. It was preceded by Fire Power (1987) and followed by Return Fire 2 (1998). An expansion pack, Return Fire: Maps O' Death, was released for the 3DO in 1995. Return Fire is a vehicular shooter from a 3D bird's eye view, in which the player's goal is to capture the enemy flag and return with it to their base. It was met with critical acclaim for its unusual gameplay concept, enjoyable multiplayer mode, and classical soundtrack, and is remembered as one of the 3DO's "best games" in its Home of the Underdogs entry.

<i>Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels</i> 1995 video game

Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels is a video game published by Electronic Arts in 1995 for the 3DO, which was later ported to PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows. It is based on Games Workshop's board game Space Hulk and is the sequel to the 1993 video game Space Hulk. Like its predecessor, Vengeance of the Blood Angels combines first-person shooter gameplay with real-time tactical elements. Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels is part of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

<i>Demolition Man</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Demolition Man is a pair of action video games based on the film of the same name. Acclaim Entertainment published the 16-bit version, which features run and gun gameplay, for the Super NES, Sega Genesis and Sega CD. Virgin Interactive released a completely different game for the 3DO that combined several distinct gameplay styles. In both games, the player controls John Spartan, the main character from the film, as he attempts to find and defeat his nemesis, Simon Phoenix.

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

The Need for Speed is a 1994 racing game developed by EA Canada, originally known as Pioneer Productions, and published by Electronic Arts for 3DO in 1994. It allows driving eight licensed sports cars in three point-to-point tracks either with or without a computer opponent. Checkpoints, traffic vehicles, and police pursuits appear in the races.

<i>Captain Quazar</i> 1996 video game

Captain Quazar is a science fiction third-person action game by developer Cyclone Studios, first published in 1996 by 3DO. Though initially released as an exclusive for 3DO's Interactive Multiplayer console, after the system was discontinued, Captain Quazar was ported to the Windows 95 PC platform in 1997.

<i>Gex</i> (video game) 1995 platform video game

Gex is a platform game developed by Crystal Dynamics. It was originally released for the 3DO in 1995; ports of the game for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn were later developed by Beam Software, and a Windows version was released by Microsoft. It was a pack-in game for Panasonic models of the 3DO later in the console's life. It is the first in the Gex series of video games, and introduces players to the title character, a wisecracking, television-obsessed gecko voiced by comedian Dana Gould, who must venture through the "Media Dimension" and defeat Rez, the overlord of the dimension who wants to make Gex into his new network mascot.

<i>Star Fighter</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Star Fighter or Star Fighter 3000 is a 3D flight-based shoot-em-up developed and published by UK company Fendet Software, and released in 1994 for the Acorn Archimedes. The gameplay is mission based and involves elements of strategy and planning. The player can order wingmen to fly in formation and attack specific targets.

<i>Defcon 5</i> (1995 video game) 1995 action-adventure video game

Defcon 5 is an action-adventure video game developed by Millennium Interactive. It was released for MS-DOS in 1995, and ported to PlayStation, Sega Saturn and 3DO Interactive Multiplayer in 1996. The name refers to the condition used to designate normal peacetime military readiness under the DEFCON system, but which is commonly misused in popular fiction to indicate a state of emergency. The game was originally announced under the title Incoming.

<i>Novastorm</i> 1994 rail shooter video game

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

<i>Total Eclipse</i> (1994 video game) 1994 video game

Total Eclipse is a space flight simulation video game developed and published by Crystal Dynamics for 3DO. It was later ported to the PlayStation under the title Total Eclipse Turbo. The game was copyrighted in 1993 and released 1994. Total Eclipse Turbo was a launch title for the PlayStation in the U.S., with the game's released date predating the North American console launch by 11 days. A sequel, Solar Eclipse, was released for Sega Saturn and PlayStation.

<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>The Lost Vikings 2</i> 1997 video game

Lost Vikings 2 is a 1997 puzzle-platform game developed by Beam Software and published by Interplay. All versions of the game, except the SNES release, were titled Lost Vikings 2: Norse by Norsewest. The sequel to The Lost Vikings, it features the original three characters plus two new playable characters: Fang the werewolf and Scorch the dragon. The gameplay remains largely the same, though the three Viking characters all have new or modified abilities.

<i>Johnny Bazookatone</i> 1996 video game

Johnny Bazookatone is a platforming video game developed by Arc Developments and published by U.S. Gold for the 3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and MS-DOS computers in 1996. Some releases also came equipped with a music CD based on the game's musical score. The game follows the protagonist, Johnny Bazookatone, trapped in the year 2050 in Sin Sin Prison by El Diablo, lord of the underworld. His guitar, known as "Anita" is taken from him, and so Johnny must travel to reclaim it.

<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. ↑ "Off-World Interceptor". GameSpot . Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  2. ↑ Release Information for Off-World Interceptor Extreme
  3. ↑ "Orion Off-Road". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 57. Sendai Publishing. April 1994. p. 114.
  4. ↑ Sackenheim, Shawn. "Off-World Interceptor (3DO) Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Off-World Interceptor". Edge . No. 16. January 1995. pp. 84–85. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Review Crew: Off-World Interceptor". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 67. Sendai Publishing. February 1995. p. 36.
  7. 1 2 "Off-World Interceptor". Next Generation . No. 3. Imagine Media. March 1995. p. 88.
  8. 1 2 "Off-World Interceptor". Next Generation . No. 12. Imagine Media. December 1995. p. 178.
  9. 1 2 Bright, Rob (January 1996). "Review: Off-World Interceptor Extreme". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 3. Emap International Limited. pp. 90–91.
  10. ↑ "Off-World Interceptor Review". 3DO Magazine. Paragon Publishing (1): 42. December 1994. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Power Unlimited Game Database". powerweb.nl (in Dutch). 1993. Archived from the original on September 20, 2003. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  12. ↑ "ProReview: Off-World Interceptor". GamePro . No. 77. IDG. February 1995. p. 96.
  13. ↑ "ProReview: Off-World Interceptor Extreme". GamePro . No. 88. IDG. January 1996. p. 88.
  14. ↑ "ProReview: Off-World Interceptor Extreme". GamePro . No. 88. IDG. January 1996. p. 80.
  15. ↑ "Power Unlimited Game Database". powerweb.nl (in Dutch). 1993. Archived from the original on September 20, 2003. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
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.