Cyberwar

Cyberwar is the sequel to the computer game adaptation of "The Lawnmower Man". The original movie, directed by Brett Leonard and very loosely inspired by the Stephen King short story, exploited the hype that had formed around the Virtual Reality phenomenon in the early 1990's. You play as Dr. Angelo, sent in to Virtual Reality to defeat Jobe, who, in the film was born simple but increased his brain capacity by 400% using Virtual Reality. He eventually leaves his physical body and enters VR permanantly. As the first game ends, Dr. Angelo is overwhelmed by Cyberjobe's powers, but in a moment of redemption Cyberjobe realizes he has not lost all his humanity and releases his prisoners. This is where Cyberwar starts. Once again Dr. Angelo must jack into the cyberspace and confront a new threat. It is a new version of the Cyberjobe, that was restored from a Virtual Space Industries backup before their headquarters blew up. This being is just as powerful as the original Jobe but is completely soulless and lacks any form of humanity. Just like its predecessor, Cyberwar has the player face a number of laser-game-like sequences in a pre-rendered 3D environment. The various subgames span from the classical "right-button-at-the-right-time" to puzzle-solving. The Cyberworld is divided into three large areas, each residing onto a game disc. The player is allowed to save up to a maximum of three times per disc. One common action subsequence has the player drive a virtual vehicle through a city or tunnel, and press the appropriate arrow key to avoid crashing into obstacles. These subgames are called Cyberboogie and Circuit Citie. There is quite some variety among puzzle subgames, which rely mostly on subsequent attempts. In one, called Projectile Ranges, you will have to find the right combination of angle and power in order to get a cannon shot through an invisible wall, behind which lies a minion of Cyberjobe. Reverse Engineering follows a similar pattern, as you will have to find a combination of shape and color, either of which allows you a safe passage to the other side. Finally the Security Door subsection includes the classic cogs, maze and tangram puzzles. Other subsections include the Debugging Area, a maze with a few rooms where you must find the switch that opens the exit; the Mutation Storage, a simplistic shooting gallery based more on timing than aim; the Hex-Lock station, where all you have to do is enter a code found in the Mutation Storage (?). It is no surprise that Cyberwar has some quite limited gameplay in favor of back-then impressive graphics and sound (yet never as much as a Don Bluth lasergame). Nevertheless it's an OK game for those who won't roll on the floor with laughter when they hear the words "Interactive Movie".

Cebion # 2019-11-20 05:24:24

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