Spirits mode turns player creation into a poker game, and it is the fastest way to build an elite prospect. Which hands to chase, when to Double Up, and the point totals you need for a top rated player.
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In the future, humanity will move underground, where safety and resources will be abundant. But where there's safety and resources, there are always those that threaten its existence. In Tunnel Assault by Crazy Retro Games, you've been tasked with piloting a fighter to ensure all tunnels are operational and free from warring parties intent on claiming these passages for their nefarious needs.
The demo version challenges you to save the world in a mere 5 minutes. It's like speed dating, but with more explosions and less awkward small talk. The game mechanics are simple yet addicting: you pilot a fighter through narrow tunnels, some offering branching paths that would make a subway map designer weep with envy.
Avoiding the scenery is difficult enough without the seemingly unending array of lasers and obstacles to encounter. Shooting enemies and traps help clear the way while upgrades can be snagged by flying through them. These power-ups include health, shields, and better weapons to plow through the opposition like a hot knife through butter.
If you thought Doom's claustrophobic corridors were tough, Tunnel Assault can be punishing, but in a good way. Obstacles, for example, stationary and those that fire back, provide plenty of targets to shoot at.
At first, you'll need to adjust for speed and turns, using abilities to accelerate and decelerate through hairpin bends that would make even the most seasoned Formula 1 driver break a sweat.
You'll most likely crash and burn at the start, but it's well worth pushing through this period of frustration as the feeling of accomplishment when you make it to the 5-minute mark is fantastic.
Graphically, Tunnel Assault does a commendable job of creating a sense of speed. Detailed textures line the cave walls, creating subtle details such as crevices that make it feel almost claustrophobic. Small patches of moss and fauna line sections of the wall, indicating moisture has crept inside this dilapidated tunnel - nature's graffiti, if you will.
Even at close range, there's almost no pixelation, which adds a sensation of disbelief. Smoke billows from industrial use as if mining has gone on for years, giving the environment a lived-in feel. Explosions convey destroyed objects, making you feel like Michael Bay's underground stunt double.
If I were to nitpick, and what self-respecting reviewer wouldn't?, it would be that the obstacles stand out too brightly from the realistic-looking cave itself.
Although they're bright and colorful, it's a stark contrast to the gritty, seedy underworld cave. Perhaps toning down the vibrancy would help encapsulate the gritty world we're fighting for - less "Vegas underground" and more "dystopian subway system."
The player's ship could also use a few more details. For instance, a puff of sparks after shots are fired and textures on the wings and body would go a long way toward creating a more cavernous feel. Still, this is based on the demo, so a lot could be improved with the final release.
Tunnel Assault gives you two perspectives: you can play in both first- and third-person view. I preferred the latter, as it gave me a better ability to view and gauge the distance around me.
Remember those nail-biting sensations you got when you peered around the darkened corner in Doom? Well, prepare to experience that again because this time, instead of an alien goon, it's a giant fan with blades ready to turn your ship into a flying salad. Fortunately, controls are quick and responsive, with the mouse providing swift and precise movement.
All in all, I enjoyed the demo more than I expected. Despite its limited gameplay, I returned more times than I care to admit. If this were a mine, it would be a diamond mine. And I'm ready to dig into the full version when it's released, pickaxe and itchy trigger finger at the ready.
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Spirits mode turns player creation into a poker game, and it is the fastest way to build an elite prospect. Which hands to chase, when to Double Up, and the point totals you need for a top rated player.
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