Outtrigger

"More Virtual On than Unreal"

As you can see, there are some pretty mixed reviews out there for this game. Some good scores, but mostly bad. I think this game deserves a perfect score. Not because it is better than Half Life or Quake, but because it succeeds in a different class of games: Arcade.

Game play:

Imagine an intense match with another player, with 15 seconds on the clock, and the score tied. Your opponent fires his last missile at you, as you jump over it in mid flight, turn sideways and fire a photon torpedo shot that ricochets off of a wall and hits your opponent to win the match. Welcome to OutTrigger.

AM2 didn’t set out to create the next Unreal Tournament or Half Life, but instead crafted a game built for fast and strategic arcade style game play. You'll notice immediately that OT is extremely fast paced. Combined with the smaller but well designed stages, this makes for a match that keeps you moving, dodging, and firing.

The characters all have different strengths and weaknesses, and the weapons are fun to use and add a strategic flavor to the game (especially the Photon Torpedo, which shoots energy balls that bounce off of walls and objects, similar to billiards or pool). Missiles can be sniped or jumped over, and the Vulcan Cannon will fire blasts of bullets that ricochet off of walls.

On a less positive note, the lag online is horrible. If you really want to get the most out of this game, you need a BBA and a fast connection.

The offline mission mode is great, and contains many creative mission objectives. Completing them all will unlock secret characters and weapons.

The mouse and keyboard are ESSENTIAL. Don’t even try to play with the standard controller. One aspect of the control that may seem odd is the absence of a duck command. In my opinion, ducking would just get you killed in a game as fast as this.

Graphics:

Excellent. Everything about the game is just what you'd expect from AM2 and the NAOMI/Dreamcast hardware. Awesome ''action film'' into movie.

Sound:

Mostly techno style. A welcome departure from AM2's usual 80's butt rock.

Conclusion:

Make sure you approach this game with an open mind. Don’t expect a western-style blood bath (there is not a drop of blood in OT) with BFG's and camping driven game play. OutTrigger is an arcade game, and is built for speed and fun. Don’t take my word for it, just rent it and try it out. You wont regret it.

Game play: 10
Graphics: 10
Sound: 9
Overall: 10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/22/01, Updated 11/22/01