71 lines
3.9 KiB
Plaintext
71 lines
3.9 KiB
Plaintext
CONTINUUM
|
||
|
||
At first glance, Continuum by Data East doesn't seem to be anything
|
||
special. Soon after a glance at the manual, a boot of the game will proves
|
||
your first glance wrong. The smooth movement, combined with the mood enhancing
|
||
areas and soundtrack make the game very worthwhile.
|
||
|
||
What is exactly is Continuum like? In Continuum you control a vehicle,
|
||
called a Mobile. It is essentially a glider with the ability to propel itself
|
||
horizontally, but not vertically. Vertical movement is attained through the
|
||
use of platforms whose function is similar to that of a trampoline. The object
|
||
of the game is up to you. You can either play it simply to explore the
|
||
different areas of the maze that makes up Continuum (refered to as 'emotion'
|
||
mode), or you can play a game (action mode) in which the object is to find 32
|
||
objects scattered throughout the 256 room maze all within time limits for each
|
||
area.
|
||
|
||
Each room in tha maze of Continuum has a different force of gravity, so
|
||
navigation is never exactly the same in any two rooms. Besides having varying
|
||
gravity, the laws of physics that we are used to are not always present in all
|
||
the rooms. You will find some rooms in which movement of the mobile generates
|
||
unexpected results. There are even some rooms with reverse gravity. All of
|
||
these serve to enhance the fun of the game.
|
||
|
||
I found the emotion mode provided the most enjoyment, but the action
|
||
mode was fun too. In the emotion mode, you are allowed to select one of 12
|
||
areas of the maze which are named after different human emotional states.
|
||
(Dream, Motivation, Orientation, Stimulate, Energize, Relax, Adapt, Awaken,
|
||
Develop, Concentrate, Stamina and Meditate) According to the designers, "the
|
||
color sound and nature of the rooms in each particular regions have been
|
||
scientifically proven to stimulate the particualr area of the human psyche
|
||
designated by the region's title." It is no joke. The moods set by each area
|
||
really do effect you. (without use of an Ad-Lib, Sound Blaster, or at least a
|
||
Tandy with 3 voice capability, the effect is greatly decreased) I found the
|
||
relaxation and meditation areas especilly effective in producing a calming
|
||
effect.
|
||
In action mode you are allowed to roam the entire maze, going from
|
||
region to region in search of the objects you need. A time limit is given, and
|
||
if you fail to find a room which gives extended time before the timer runs out,
|
||
the game is ended. The action mode is very challenging, and will take a long
|
||
time to complete.
|
||
|
||
Another feature which makes Continuum so appealing are the variety of
|
||
display options. You can alter the way the background is dispayed, as well as
|
||
the use of wire or filled shapes for objects. The camera (point of view you
|
||
see things from) can be locked or unlocked, can be given a vertical slant, and
|
||
set from the perspective of the mobile or an observer. What these options
|
||
essentially allow you to do is custom tailor the game to the perspective you
|
||
like best, as well as allowing you to make the game more or less challenging.
|
||
|
||
Continuum also allows you to rotate the camera up and down during
|
||
gameplay. Since you only need to control horizontal movement, vertical
|
||
movement of the joystick (or arrow keys) adjusts the camera angle of the game. It is possible to see from underneath, above, behind the mobile, or varying degrees inbetween.
|
||
|
||
The graphics of contimum are polygon filled graphics (similar to those
|
||
in most flight simulators) and are not that impressive. But the smooth
|
||
movement, music, and moods of the game more than make up for what it lacks
|
||
graphically.
|
||
|
||
Continuum supports joystick or keyboard control, but in my opinion the
|
||
game is a waste if not played with a joystick. I also hightly reccomend that
|
||
you have EGA or VGA, and a sound board; in order to enjoy the game to its
|
||
fullest.
|
||
|
||
All in all Continuum is a very unique, enjoyable game...
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|