by Chuck Hoodak

Created on: August 23, 2008   Last Updated: December 22, 2011

When you hear the word "innovative", what do you think it means? Does it mean "different" or "unusual", or does it mean to "redefine an existing system and make it appear new"? Some game companies would market a new game with the buzz word of "innovative" attached to it, only to see it a rehash of games already out there but with flashier graphics. 1998's Battlezone by Activision was a clear cut example of what the word "innovative" truly means.

Battlezone, loosely based on an arcade game back in the early 1980s, is set in an alternate reality where the Russians and the Americans are doggedly fighting across the solar system in a race to recover an alien technology.

An extinct race known as the "Cathonians" have left several relics and ancient devices on various planets in our solar system. Both the Russians and the Americans want to unlock the mysteries before the other side does, but what they do not know is that they are about to recreate the disaster that destroyed the Cathonians so long ago.

Playing as the Americans or the Russians, you control various armored fighting vehicles, to attack, defend and explore several planets. As you progress through missions, more technology becomes available for you to achieve your goals.

What made the game innovative was that you played it in both First Person Shooter and Real Time Strategy modes. The two features were meshed so well you could spend very little time training and enjoy playing right away.

The First Person Shooter (FPS)

Your main weapon is your tank. A few of the models featured for both sides were:

*Scout: Armed with machine guns, lightly armored and fast.
*Grizzly: Main tank, armed with machine gun and cannon.
*Rocket Tank: Fires devastating rockets at targets.
*Minelayer: places mines onto the battlefield.
*Walker: Two-legged walking robot armed with two machine guns.

Typical of all FPS games, you saw everything from your perspective as you guided your hover-tanks around alien landscapes. Getting from point A to point B became fun as you made your own shortcuts jumping over small ravines and craters, or over large mountains. The controls of W A S D and the mouse made piloting a breeze.

Once you were familiar with controlling your tank, combat was just a case of negotiating obstacles while trying to get a good shot on your target. If you weren't lucky and found your tank about to be destroyed, no worries as you could eject upward out of the vehicle and slowly fall back to the ground while maneuvering yourself

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>