Marauder

"Berzerk or Marauder... hmmm...."

Marauder has always been a cool game, and nothing more or less. With the same basic gameplay as Berzerk, except in an overhead view, this makes Marauder one step from being as popular as Berzerk. I see no difference between the two, I like them both, but Marauder seems to have more variety, and an actual goal.

To start this review off, I would like to mention some more about Marauder, and the concept behind it. Basically, you are a human, and you must wander around an alien base looking for a main reactor and blow it up. The cool thing is that once you find the reactor and blow it up, you are automatically transported to a random room in the base, and once again you must seek the reactor. So basically, this game is meant for racking up points, and that's about it.

As far as graphics go, they aren't bad. I usually let graphics slide when it comes to atari games, because there really isn't much to expect from the system. The only time I mention graphics in an atari game is if they are horribly bad, like Mr. Do's Castle, or if they deserve some credit. As for Marauder, I choose to mention this factor because of the latter. The graphics in Marauder are great. They are simple and to the point, which is common in atari games, but something about Marauder's graphics are just so great and more superior to other games. I think it's cool how the graphics are so small, thus allowing the size of the rooms to be relatively large and full of action. I especially like the death animations for the aliens. It is really cool watching them fall over. The reactor is cool too.

The gameplay is simple: you move your Marauder around, and shoot aliens. The cool thing about your character's movement is the fact that he can be turned in a 360 degree angle with ease, and not slide like many games I have played. Anywhere from 3-5 aliens can be in a room at once, (well, that's how many I've seen in a room with me.) I may just be too fast with my weapon, to where by the time they respawn, I am done with the first batch. :) Also, there is a powerup to where if you pick it up, you become temporarily invincible, and if you collide with an enemy, they immediately die. The only way you can gain lives is by destroying reactors. After every 2 reactors destroyed, you gain a life.

There are a number of games you can choose from, each a little harder than the previous. When I say hard, I mean that the enemies get faster, and I think it might be possible that more are in a room with you depending on the game. Unfortunately, there is no 2-player option...

As for sounds, they aren't bad. There are basic gunshot sounds, and an explosion sound when the reactor is destroyed, but that's about it. There is no music, and that's probably a good thing. For some reason I enjoy playing atari games more without the music.

Overall, Marauder is a fun game, if you like to try and beat your score. However, for those of you that cannot play a game without an ending, this game is not for you, because there is no ending that I know of. I really wish they had a 2-Player option to this game. That would make this game much, much better. In any case, it beats all those stupid shooters, thus making it in the top 35 best atari games ever, in my opinion, which is good... Between Berzerk and Marauder, I would personally choose Marauder. Berzerk may have better graphics, but Marauder is always there for fun and action, and has more variety, which is the key to a successful game.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/20/02, Updated 11/08/02