A Cry Heard Round The World: Kim Sun-Il died desperate and alone, but he did not die unheard.
Looking At And Longing For Mars: Reflections on a childhood dream.
A Robot May Not Harm a Human Being. Is The Opposite True?: Thoughts on the future rights of artificial intelligence.
Long After The Boys Of Summer Have Gone: What makes a relationship work?
Winter Of Our Feline Discontent: What the cat wants, the cat gets. But what DOES it want?
To Tell The Truth: There may be no honor among thieves, but can't we find it even in a few good men and women?
Should The Human Brain Retire?: We know that we cannot win forever. We know that machines will continue to improve. So why don't we let the human brain retire gracefully now, with honors?
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Published: Sep 16, 2005 01:41 PM
Sat - March 6, 2004
Starbase Defender: The Wrath of Ron
Namely, my desire to kill something. Preferrably, a LOT of somethings.
And that's how I discovered Starbase Defender, a new retro arcade shooter from Bigger Planet software. Starbase Defender combines the marksmanship and play of classic games like Missile Command and Asteroids with the unadulterated pleasure of ridding the universe of alien scum. You play the role of the Starbase Defender, guardian of truth, protector of justice, and most importantly, keeper of six precious gate cores housed at the center of your station in cargo containers.
Alien scum called the Grolk want these gate cores. Too bad for them, you're not selling.
Too bad for you, they won't take no for an answer.
They come in waves—with nimble space tugboats called Draggers that seize your gate cores in tractor beams, then bolt for alien space like bats out of hell. They'd get away with it, too, but for your station's three photokinetic beam cannons. Aimed with a mouse or a trackpad and fired by default with the control key, they swivel independently and spit molten death at anything that moves. We take shoplifting seriously in this part of the galaxy, pahtnah!
The Grolk take gate core theft equally seriously. With a mighty arsenal that includes massive Carriers that spawn squadrons of Galaxian-like Fighters, Reflector ships that throw two shots back at you for every one that hits them, and well-shielded rapid-fire Advancer canons, they can dish out plenty of covering fire to protect the Draggers' retreat. A direct hit to your Starbase temporarily disables the photokinetic beam cannons. You'll experience this feeling of helplessness often because the Grolk like their fights fast and furious, preferring to swarm your starbase in numbers that put a Steven Spielberg film to shame.
Clearly, this game is where Saddam Hussein hid his Weapons of Mass Destruction.
As Starbase Defender, you are not without your own resources. These include shields that deflect incoming fire as long as they remain charged—which usually isn't long—and a smart bomb called the Nova, which slows or obliterates enemy ships. Upgrade ships appear randomly, bringing you new shield strength and extra firepower, but their arrival is always preceded by an anti-ship missile. Hit the missile, and you'll get the supplies. Miss it, and the upgrade ships get destroyed in spectacular fashion.
The game awards bonus points at the end of each assault wave for each gate core remaining and for your accuracy with the photokinetic beam cannons. Good marksmanship is especially important. If you hit more enemy ships than you miss, Captain Exley's ship will warp in to help you; besides shooting enemy ships, she'll use her tractor beam to try to return one core to the center of the station at the end of each attack wave.
Captain Exley is a helpful ally, but like France, you can't always count on her in a pinch. If your accuracy drops, she grows sullen and dispirited. If it continues to fall short of her exacting standards, she'll warp away and leave you to face Armageddon alone. Sometimes it's lonely at the top of the galactic food chain.
Starbase Defender is beautifully rendered in fluid, three-dimensional graphics, which pay homage to great arcade games of the past but also display imaginative flair. Game play is invariably frenetic. Twenty or more Grolk ships can compete for screen space at the same time, pounding your Starbase brutally to the accompaniment of satisfying sound effects. What's more, the Grolk public relations corps occasionally intercedes with cheerful observations about how badly things are going for you.
"SURRENDER NOW, PATHETIC BIPED!" one such message intones. "ANOTHER GATE CORE IS OURS!"
Squaring off against impossible odds is the stuff of which legends and great arcade shooters are made. With lush three-dimensional graphics, stellar sound effects, and rapid game play, Starbase Defender demonstrates the an attention to detail that makes it a fine new addition to the genre and a great way to let off steam. I almost feel ready to return to work on Monday.
"SURRENDER NOW, PATHETIC CLIENT BIPEDS!"
Almost.
Overall rating: A
Thoughtfulness of Design: A
Ease of Use: A-
Interface: A-
Price: $20 shareware ($16 through April 4, 2004). Until you enter a registration code, you are limited to the first three levels, or to three minutes of play on levels four and up.
Pros: Recreates best aspects of classic arcade games with crisp graphics and a pulsing soundtrack—all at a reasonable price. Easy mode option lets even younger members of the household try their luck.
Cons: The starbase's photokinetic beam cannons can be difficult to aim with a TiBook or iBook trackpad so the use of a mouse is recommended. Game play is challenging but, like all arcade games, somewhat repetitive.
Requirements: