GameGun games for the 3DO just seem to be getting better with each new title- control wise, anyway. Demolition Man's shooting gallery sequences were my favorite part of the game, because the gun worked so well. But now, Digital Pictures' latest, Corpse Killer, one ups Demo Man with even more accurate gun control. Dare I say it- this game has almost perfect accuracy with the gun. Which is good, since all that goes on in Corpse Killer is mindless gunplay.
Corpse Killer also has the distinction as being the only Digital Pictures product that I've found even mildly fun to play since Sewer Shark. The company was put on the map because of the much over hyped attempted "ban" by Congress on it's stunningly mediocre full motion horror film/ game, Night Trap. Talk about time wasted. They also recently made the urksomely annoying 1st person, live action martial arts title, Supreme Warrior.
So, on the basis of my previous prejudices against Digital Pictures, I wasn't expecting much from Corpse Killer. And, frankly, there isn't much in the game, but I had a lot of fun with it anyway. Of course, I like gun games and wish that the 3DO would get some of the classic examples of the genre- Terminator 2, Lethal Enforcers and my personal favorite- Namco's Steel Gunner 2. Corpse Killer is actually a lot like Lethal Enforcers- only with zombies- and is a great addition to the genre.
Unlike the American Laser Games gun games, Corpse Killer flows smoothly because your targets aren't treated like a part of the full motion video- the wondering zombies are totally independent from the live action backgrounds. So, there are no annoying breaks in the action or awkward, jerky motion that have been rampant in the ALG laser disc conversions. This system does lend itself to sometimes clumsy placement of the monsters though- you'll see zombies walking through rocks and other bits of the landscape without hindrance.
As with all Digital Pictures games, the game is made entirely from live action, FMV sequences. The story is furthered by such sequences and the acting and jungle settings are all pretty good. The story places you in the position of a lone special forces soldier who has orders to eliminate the mad scientist, Dr. Hellman. Hellman has single handedly created a formula to raise the dead, formed an army of undead and kidnapped your fellow teammates. He has also managed to infect you with the zombie virus. Wow, busy guy...
So, together with your psuedo-Rasta driver/ sidekick, Winston, and the babish Journalist, Julie, you're off to pinpoint zombie locations, find supplies, help your friends and just generally save the world as we know it. Just you and your trusty GameGun( or control pad, if you are really brave.). It's as good an excuse as any for mindless blasting mayhem and the whole thing works remarkably well.
Not perfectly, though. For one thing, there are a lot of dull spots during the shooting fests, followed by obnoxiously frantic attacks. Also, Winston's bone throwing voodoo sequences don't really seem to mean anything at all. In fact, some, if not most, of the advice he gives you is totally irrelevant and pointless. I also haven't figured out what Julie, the journalist, is doing in the game. You never rescue her and she doesn't really contribute anything of use to the game. Of course, after staring down decaying zombie corpses, watching her is welcome change of pace. The game tends to use the same few FMV backgrounds over and over, which gets a little monotonous. You might also notice how goofy some of the zombies look( Corpse Killer is rubber mask central.). The finale of the game is also likely to drive you to frustration.
Overall, this is a good example of the genre. You will, however, definitely want the ALG GameGun for Corpse Killer. The control pad just can't keep up with the game's more ferocious attacks that come around throughout the game. If you like this kind of game and like using the 3DO gun, then Corpse Killer should prove to be a welcome addition to your game library.
how goofy some of the zombies look( Corpse Killer is rubber mask central.). The finale of the game is also likely to drive you to frustration.
Overall, this is a good example of the genre. You will, however, definitely want the ALG GameGun for Corpse Killer. The control pad just can't keep up with the game's more ferocious attacks that come around throughout the game. If you like this kind of game and like using the 3DO gun, then Corpse Killer should prove to be a welcome addition to your game library.
