Slave Zero

Slave Zero is one of those arcade shoot-a-tons that does many things by the numbers. What it does add is an interesting setting made of building-sized robots, but that novelty tends to wear out fast, and overall the game doesn't really have any difference from any other shooter with normal-sized robots. Sure, you can stomp on little guys, but you'll probably stop doing that soon. Even if generic, though, it all kinda works. The shooting is fast and satisfying, weapons don't have much impact but then it's an arcade title, the platforming is never frustrating, and the battles are generally challenging while not frustrating the player too much (with one exception, the final boss). It's just too bad that it ends pretty soon. The graphics were probably the only reason why this game managed to reach some notoriety at its time. It was marketed heavily on its support to Enviroment-Mapped Bump Mapping, a kind of bump mapping that only worked on Matrox G400 and looked much more realistic that the Emboss offered by other cards at the time. Only Expendable and Slave Zero ever supported it, so there's at least some history there. Too bad only the main character is bump mapped - and to be fair, it looks weird. I actually liked the Emboss version better. For this price, anyway, it's good fun for the few hours it will take to complete.

Excelent game of that. Weapons are varied and fun to use. Secret weapon makes the game a new fun to replay. Movements control are really tight and sometimes it can get bullet helly. Bosses are really challenging due to the way health regen works, and how you have to conserve ammunition. Map design are REALLY awesome it has routes little corners and visually very sci-fi. The size different beatween you and the soroundings makes you feel big and badass, and the jump mechanic gives you the weight. Downside: Last boss is unballanced it is unbeatable even with the secret weapon, so don't expect to finish the game EVER. The robot doesnt feel or play like a robot, more like a simple 3rd person man jumping around. You are too mobile, you don't feel that you have to commit to a move unless it is a jump.

I remember playing this thing back in the day. Wow. Now--finally--many, many years (and computers) later, I finally get to play this again. And you know what? While flawed, it's still hella fun. Sure, it was written back in the days of 3dfx, and the simpler textures let that show--but it's still a blast. Unlike SHOGO, you never go to a simpler "human" mode--it's all big-robot-causing-havoc gameplay in this one. If you're not sure, what some videos about it. If you had fun playing it years ago, I definitely would recommend it again now. I had kept trying to install my original retail CD of this game, each time I changed my computer components out, but never could make it work after the 98-->2000 move. So glad for GOG. :)

This is full of softlocks! Be warned! It does not work properly even using the latest version of nGlide. Using patches for D3D will do nothing and you will have even more problems. Simply avoid this piece of shit! Honestly? It's a shame, because the game is very good, but the technical problems completely ruin the experience.