Off-World Interceptor Extreme

"Ouch"

Imagine. You're on another planet. You're driving a monster truck with a gun on it. You have to destroy another monster truck with a gun on it. And while doing so, you discover that this kind of ''monster truck fighting'' isn't really fun. What you're imagining is, in fact, Offworld Interceptor Extreme.

Offworld Interceptor Extreme... sounds familiar? Yep, it's kind of a remake of the 3DO game Offworld Interceptor. It's not any better though. Neither is it better than the Saturn version. In fact, this version of OIE is pretty much identical to its counterparts; you have to drive around, shoot things, buy stuff, suffer. While the response of the controller is okay, actually sitting there watching yourself drive around on a planet you couldn't care less about is actually a bit painful.

Graphics are almost average. They're pretty bad, and that the animation is terrible. Not really an improvement over the 3DO prequel. It's not as bad as the rest of the game, but then again, graphics aren't as important as gameplay. And the game tremendously lacks in that department.

So is there any replay value? Well, playing against the computer gets boring in about 34 seconds. Playing against a friend however, can be a LITTLE bit of fun. 2-Player modes aren't all that important in my opinion, but in the case of OIE is it the game's main strength.

Sound? Below average soundtrack. It's foreboding, uninspiring music you don't even notice. The SFX are average. The voice acting, however, is deplorable, but I guess that's understandable. Video games normally don't have professional actors, although that DOES occur sometimes (cough, Metal Gear Solid, cough).

But what's the main problem? Why is this such a bad game? Well, I admit it, this game is lacking in anything that's truly worthless. But it's constantly bad all the way trough, and simply no fun to play. Playing the game is like being at school; you're just sitting there doing the thing, but you don't really enjoy it. Unless you really like school.

So overall, this game was a disappointment for me. Not anything is terrible, and I've seen far worse games than this (Spice World anyone?), but it's still just a BAD game.

Verdict

Funfactor About as fun as being on school, and I'm talking about the math lessons 1
Controls These are okay 8
Challenge There's plenty of it, but there's much challenge in getting good marks at school too 8
Replay value I guess 2-Player-Mode offers a BIT replay value, but that's all 4
Graphics Best part of the game, but that's not really a compliment 5
Sound Average SFX, the rest of it is BAD 4
Story A Monster Truck war on another planet? 3

To buy...
+ Controls are good
+ There's challenge

...or to leave
- No fun to play
- Below average graphics & sound
- Story's not great either

2/10 ''Ouch'' was the word I said when I discovered I wasted my money. I'm glad Crystal Dynamics didn't torture us with ANOTHER sequel.

Best PSX Monster Trucks game Monster Trucks - Well... it's got monster trucks and it's far better than this. What more do you want?
Best Overall Monster Trucks game Monster Truck Madness 2(PC) - It's the best monster truck game I know of. And one of the best destroy-other-car games is Twisted Metal Black (PS2).

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 02/19/03, Updated 02/19/03