HyperBlade - PC Review - Gamecenter

Free Email

Search

Click Here!

CNET: Gamecenter: PC

Reviews

HyperBlade

continued
retro, yet sophisticated
Thankfully, HyperBlade is Windows 95 native. Although Windows 95 means greater overhead, it also means ease of use and setup. Microsoft will be thrilled to demonstrate its Windows 95 gaming platform, and ecstatic over HyperBlade's accelerated 3D graphics mode and compatibility with the new Microsoft Sidewinder gamepad. If you don't own a Sidewinder yet, check out the review and buy one. You can play with the keyboard (but it will kill your hands) or a generic gamepad (but most don't offer the six buttons serious players will require).
I did encounter some minor bugs in HyperBlade: sometimes the controls stick, and the ball disappears now and then. But the game is generally as solid as a Led zeppelin--it literally roks and rolls. It's a great action title and definitely the best future sport game on the shelves today. But it's a rookie and must prove itself through many seasons before it wrests the coveted Future Sport Crown from Speedball 2. Certainly, when both games are played on a modern Wintel PC, HyperBlade rules--it's technically superior in every way. However, comparing gameplay, Speedball 2 still has some advantages: it's a better one-player game, and it has replays and a controllable goalie.
But before there was a Speedball 2, there was Speedball. I only hope HyperBlade 2 will follow soon, and if the sequel includes modifiable teams and the other aforementioned features, it will undoubtedly surpass Speedball 2 as the greatest future sport of all time. Meanwhile, HyperBlade will have to settle for the Golden GOOFS Award (an Oldsmobile hood ornament glued to a Wico bat-handle joystick), presented for outstanding achievements in future sports.
tips
-Get a Microsoft Sidewinder gamepad.
-Multipliers can't be ignored. Use them often in order to win.
-Wait for the goalie to attack your partner, then shoot on the open goal.
-Place a mine in front of the goalie. When he goes boom, take the shot.
-If you are knocked down, press the Speedburst key to get up faster.
-Most important, always keep an eye on the players' health, and substitute before they become incapacitated. One player will have a hard time winning alone.
Download the demo now.

Hugh Falk has no clue about the gaming industry in general and wouldn't know a good game if it was crammed down his throat. This biography is dedicated to those hardworking programmers and quality-assurance engineers who have taken the time to critique his crappy reviews of their perfect games. Send your gaming challenges to GamerX.

Facts

HyperBlade
Activision
Price: $45.00
Pentium-90, 16MB RAM, 80MB disk space, VESA local bus or PCI video card with 1MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM drive, Windows 95, Windows 95-compatible mouse; Sound Blaster or compatible sound card

Barnes & Noble.com recommends:

Visit the Software Store at B&N • Financial Resolutions for 2001 • Computer Books at B&N.com

HyperBlade

Click for printer-friendly format
Email this story to a friend
SPONSORED LINKS
Buffalo Wireless LAN
2.99% Platinum Card!
Shop B&N.com Today!

Comics
CDs
DVDs
Inline
Movies
Skateboards

Search for more products:

mySimon
a CNET Networks Company