"Imagine playing frisbee, except you can get decapitated."

With so many new and wondrous team play modifications out there, you sometimes wonder about the simple deathmatch mods. It's almost as if deathmatch games simply cease to exist. Ricochet is one of the more unique deathmatch mods out there that involves flying discs, and small arenas with platforms. While most games have big flashy guns, Ricochet makes uses of simple frisbee-like devices. The basic storyline behind Ricochet is to kill your opponents through the use of flying discs while navigating your character on narrow platforms, and trampoline pads. What makes Ricochet such a unique game is basically the playing style. A disc being tossed isn't going to be instantaneous kill. You have to time your shots, and also know when to shoot and where. While Ricochet sounds like an inspiring mod, don't expect it to be the savior of the graceland.

Graphics [5/10]
While Ricochet makes use of the Half-Life engine, it executes in a mediocre manner all together. Since this is a first person shooter (more like a disc thrower), it's essential that Ricochet has a beautiful framerate. That's exactly what it does. There is no slowdown whatsoever when there are lots of people on a platform, or scrambling discs all over the place. Character models are quite detailed, each with their own colored jump suits. Some characters are bodacious looking women, while others are up-tight male characters. Faces are quite detailed with a nasty grin, or blonde streaks of hair visible. Discs look quite colorful, and are based off of the same color as your uniform. This is great for keeping track of your own discs, while being able to avoid other incoming projectiles.

The worst feature though has to be the lack of map designs. There are only about three different maps in the game, and most of them barely differ in size or enhanced gameplay. Each map consists of tiny circular platforms to which players can stand on. On certain platforms, there are trampoline boosts that will boost you over to a platform in mid-air. There are also varying barriers and walls at which you can deflect other discs off of. The biggest lack is basically of any detailing features. Each map has no background, or even ground for that matter. It's like staring into an empty less paradox, with no true depth perception. And since you only have one weapon, your discs, which don't even have a throwing animation (they just get shot out of you), there isn't much to be impressed with. Ricochet does manage a good use of using primary colors, but the lack of any true textures takes a bite out of the environment. Fortunately, Ricochet features a few ''special effects'' such as a head falling onto the ground when you get decapitated, or whenever you fall to your death.

Sound/Music [3/10]
For a Half-Life mod, I was expecting there to be more in terms of actual gameplay sounds. Some exciting sounds such as a head being sliced off, being smashed into a bunch of ice pieces, or tossing a disc all provide uniquely toned sounds. Occasionally, you'll hear a charging sound from a boosting trampoline, or a chainsaw-like echo from your power shot. However, there isn't much else to awe over. The screams as you fall to your death are kind of intriguing, but there was nothing really decorative inside the game. Music is completely absent, none whatsoever. Quite frankly, this just ruins the whole aspect of a fast-paced deathmatch game. The developers could have at least added some hard rock tune to get the player pumped, but instead it turns into a dismal waste of power on your audio speakers.

Gameplay [7/10]
This is by far one of the more innovative deathmatch mods that takes games beyond simple blast his head off with a sniper rifle. Since Ricochet is a fight-to-the-death mod, players can battle it out in two ways. The first method is your basic free for all session where players keep fighting and killing each other without hesitation. Gameplay is constant, with no waiting in spectator mode, or timed sessions. The second method involves an arena mode where players are teamed up against each other in one-on-one matches. There are separate arenas, and the idea is to be the first to win three games over your opponent. If you do so, you gain a win, and you then wait in spectator mode for the next matchup. This is great for tuning up your skills, and truly mastering disc throwing in a nutshell.

The actual gameplay style is quite simple, and easy to learn. Basically, you can't jump, crouch, or do any type of agility moves in the game. Instead, you run around jumping from platform to platform on little trampoline boosts stationed at set positions. Each player has deadly discs which can be tossed at their opponents. Your two type of attacks include a normal disc throw, which will knock an opponent back, and hopefully have him fall to his/her death. Or, you can do a power toss which uses all your discs up, but will give you an instant kill if it hits. Each player has a three disc meter at the bottom of their screen which shows how many discs they have left. Basically, every time you toss a disc, the supply goes down one. But it regenerates at almost a disc per second, so being cautious and knowing of your supply is useful in killing opponents.

Enough of the mumbo jumbo. Ricochet is extremely fast gameplay. Dodging discs is quite common, and is a must-have skill if you plan on becoming a master. The player can get really pumped having fifty or so odd discs bouncing around off of barriers and coming from other opponents. There are also random powerups that tend to ''pop'' their way into the level, meaning you can get increased shots. For example, a freeze shot will slow players down, and make it easier for the kill. Power shots and Triple Shots are also useful for quick kills, or pure havoc. To eliminate cheap/sniper shots, the game was designed so that discs can only be thrown parallel to the player's current depth level. So basically, you can't aim upwards and throw a disc upwards. The disc will only go horizontally as to how high you are on the map. Quite frankly, Ricochet has a very balanced gameplay system, and most gamers will enjoy the experience.

Fun [6/10]
You better believe it; Ricochet is one of the fun deathmatch mods out there. No longer do you have to worry about picking up big explosive weapons, or finding the best spot on a map. Ricochet basically enhances gameplay, and truly makes it a balanced experience. You're exposed in nearly every area, since shots can be deflected off of walls and platforms. Your actual death count isn't kept track of, but rather your points total. Points are accumulated for unique kills (like deflecting a disc off of two walls for a kill - yields 3 points). Not only will you try to perform complex shots, but it's fun jumping off a platform and decapitating someone in the process. Some people may get a ton of enjoyment after watching someone's head bounce on the ground, or meeting in a mid-air collision to cause both of you to fall to your deaths. Let's put it this way, simple uncarnaged fun.

Replayability [3/10]
Unfortunately, one of the overlooked aspects of this game is the lack of maps. Sure, it's hard to design ''different-looking'' platform maps, but there simply aren't enough maps to have a great experience. There are truly only three different levels you'll play on, with one of them being in arena mode. Stages can barely be told from being different, except for a few moved trampolines or bouncing pads. With really only the deathmatch way of playing, teamwork is non-existent. While there are a few powerups, the lack of any special abilities, and constant death can be more of a nuisance than an actual motivator. Basically, if you're looking for a one-time mod to play, Ricochet may be your matchup.

Difficulty [3/10]
Since just about everything is balanced and exposed in the game, there is no defining factor in how good or bad you can be. Anyone in this game can master disc throwing, it just takes timing and a good eye. Ping doesn't mean too much since a player with bad latency can actually benefit from not being hit by flying discs. Ricochet also features a small community, not too big, with few veterans. Really, most of your shots can come down to luck, or just good depth perception. Don't expect the challenge of a lifetime, but in a good thirty minutes or so, you could be on top of the leader board.

Final Factor [5/10]
Even if Ricochet is an innovative deathmatch mod, it just doesn't offer enough to the typical gamer. It's a good experience for an hour or two, but it wares off after a while. Decapitating someone sounds fun, but it becomes more of a bore as you continue to play. Without any true in-depth gameplay or strategy involved, Ricochet is nothing more than a ''different'' type of modification. Luckily, Ricochet can be downloaded for free, and also comes packed in with the Counterstrike mod. So if you're looking for a break from your typical games, Ricochet can provide a few decent hours of entertainment.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 07/24/03, Updated 07/24/03