Retail Price: $64.95 ($99.95 for 2 player Net Pack )
Mail Order: $39 ($59 for Net Pack)
Requires: 256 colors, System 6.0.7 or later, 2 MB RAM (4 MB for System 7)
Protection: Valid serial number
 
Super Maze Wars is an exciting new 3D action game from Callisto, the people who brought you Super Mines. In Super Maze Wars, you zoom around in hallway-like mazes in your MazeCruiser in search of gems and opponents. In each of the six game scenarios, you can battle against seven human and/or robot-controlled opponents as you race against the clock or up to a certain number of points or rounds. But the battle won't be easy, since your opponents are hungry to taste victory.
Getting Started. To begin the game you can select among six different scenarios. Each scenario has different and exciting challenges to conquer. In the first scenario, Frenzy Gold, you score one point for each opponent killed and one for each gem collected. In Frenzy, a gemless version of Frenzy Gold, you score one point for each opponent killed. Similarly, in Frenzy +/-, you lose a point for getting killed.
The last three scenarios are a little more complex. You win a round in Gold Rush by collecting four gems plus you can steal a gem from an opponent by killing him. The next one is tougher. In Fox & Hounds, you win a round by collecting four gems, which only the fox can collect. Kill the fox to become the new fox. In the last scenario, Team Frenzy, your team scores one point for each member of the opposing team you kill.
After selecting the desired scenario, you then choose the number of robot opponents you wish to compete with, and the number of rounds or minutes you wish to play. Lastly, you can choose among different maze types.
The MazeCruiser. The MazeCruiser is equipped with two weapons, the Blaster and ButtKicker missile (pardon my French). The Blaster is your primary weapon and travels in a straight line until it hits an enemy or hits a wall. Three blasts will usually be enough to kill an enemy MazeCruiser. The ButtKicker is a more sophisticated search and destroy weapon. After firing a ButtKicker, the missile will turn corners in pursuit of the enemy.
 
Also provided in the MazeCruiser is a shield, which depletes when a blast or missile hits you. As you use up blasts, ButtKickers, and shields, capsules randomly appear throughout the maze. Depending on which capsule you run over, you can increase the number blasts, missiles, reserve shield power, the speed of blasts, the speed of the MazeCruiser, the speed at which the MazeCruiser turns.
Playing the Game. The action is Super Maze Mars is fast and furious. You are in competition with other humans (if you are on a network) and robots, so devising a good game plan and watching your radar is a must. Unlike most games, the enemy in this game is really smart. Playing against the computer-controlled robots is no cake walk.
In a typical scenario, like Gold Rush, your mission is to collect four gems to win a round. As you move through the maze, a yellow box on your radar will indicate approximately where the gem is located. As you race toward the area, other opponents will also be trying to collect the gem. Killing opponents and being killed before you reach the gem is part of the exciting action. Once killed, your MazeCruiser will re-appear in a different location on the maze.
Another scenario, Team Frenzy, teamwork is the name of the game. You can select a four on four, and try to annihilate each other as you rack up points. The team with the most points at the end of the time limit or round wins.
In order to be good at the game, you'll need to strike a balance between searching for gems and replenishing your ship with capsules. Super Maze Wars is not just another shoot'em up, brainless game. Quick reflexes and strategic planning are essential keys to winning the game.
The King of the Maze. Super Maze Wars is a great game. Although the graphics in the game (like the walls) are not as good-looking as those in Spectre Supreme, I imagine Callisto kept the graphics a little simple so that the frame rate would stay high on slower machines, which is fine by me. The fast action, exciting game play, and network features more than make up for this. In fact, I found Super Maze Wars to be even more fun than Spectre Supreme.
This is without a doubt one of the tougher reviews I've written, since trying to get away from the game to write the review was a struggle in itself. It is definitely one of the more addicting games I've played in recent memory. I haven't had this much fun with a game since Hellcats was released. Simply put, I love this game!
