Crusader: No Remorse

"Possibly the best overhaed shooter ever..."

Let's start by warning you that Crusader is old. In fact, this game is so old you'll need a DOS based system to play it. It may be aging, but, like a good wine, it only gets better.

After dusting off the case and installing it, I remembered just how amazing this game was for it's time. The graphics are top-notch, rendered in SVGA, they are just as, if not more, attractive than contemporary 2-D overheads such as Baldur's Gate or Diablo II. The in game cinematics are well done, featuring live actors, though the props and backgrounds are sometimes cheesy, it's a good, original Star Trek style of cheesy. The in game graphics are very crisp and clean, with gunshots and explosions being well-rendered and unique to the type of weapon you're firing.

The sound is good enough: Guards scream, alarms klaxons blare, and computer generated voices warn of your impending approach. The weapon noises leave something to be desired, however.

Not much can be said about the story. You are a Silencer, an elite soldier for the World Economic Consortium. Once the WEC eliminates your unit, you go to work for the Resistance. Pretty standard tried-and-true Sci-Fi/Action formula.

The gameplay is where Crusader really shines, however. You control the Silencer through bases, offices, and mining complexes to take down the oppressive WEC. Your opponents range from WEC Rent-a-Cops with their weak pistols, to full-fledged assault mechs with rotary cannons and missiles. Every enemy has a death animation depending on how you killed them; some of which are so detailed they probably gave inspiration to modern gore-fests like Soldier of Fortune. The game mechanics are simple; you have a target to destroy, disable, capture, rescue etc. and a whole bunch of enemies between you and the target. How you dispatch them is up to you, but methods range from shooting, to electric fences, gas valves, mines, remote-controlled walking bombs, taking remote control of mechs, and, the most gory, sabotaging teleporters. Credit's are earned from the enemies, which can be traded to ''Weasel,'' the local gun-runner back at the rebel base. The General sends you off on missions from his desk, which you get summoned to. A small point, but a neat little detail to actually report for briefing's, rather than have a screen pop up. There are also plenty of interesting NPC's to converse with, drink with, or glare at in the Resistance base.

All in all, It's a bang-up shooter. Deliver's on every point, and old-school action gamers will love this one.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/03/03