Shipwreckers - PC Review - Gamecenter

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Shipwreckers
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CNET Gamecenter Review
By Hugh Falk
(2/10/1998)

Game at a Glance
Recap: Fast arcade fun
Ups: Cool graphics and mood; solid control
Downs: Limited multiplayer options
Multiplayer: Fair
Single player: Very good
Demo: Available
Patch: NA
In the summer of 1985, I walked into a computer store and saw a brand-new computer demonstrating a game by Psygnosis called Brataccas. I was so stunned by the incredible graphics that I sold my Commodore 64 and bought both Brataccas and the Atari ST on which it was running. I don't know if I should thank or curse Psygnosis for that, but I do know that the company has consistently produced some of the best-looking games since then, and its latest, Shipwreckers, is yet another in that proud tradition.
Of course, looking great isn't enough to make a game great. In fact, I soon learned that Brataccas had some serious control issues that hampered its playability (although I wasn't reviewing games in 1985, I remember thinking this during math class one day--some people are just destined to review games). Would Shipwreckers suffer from the same flaw? Thankfully, it doesn't; the game plays as good as it looks. This is one time I can fully support software piracy.
Land Ho
You see, Shipwreckers is an arcade game with a pirate theme. Don't confuse it with a pirating simulation, however. The most realistic thing you'll see while playing Shipwreckers is your own reflection in the monitor during level loads (and after several hours of nonstop play, it's also the ugliest thing you'll see). This game is pure action. You skipper a pirate ship that launches cannonballs, flames, lightning, missiles, and mines. With the right power-ups, it can even fly. The boat also handles more like a car than a ship, but it sure is fun.
Controls are the basic Asteroids variety: rotate, thrust, and shoot. However, players do have the option of shooting broadside weapons, which require a different fire button for each side. My only gameplay complaint is that switching between the eight available weapons (one at a time) can be difficult and slow. It should use Doom-like hot keys for weapon selection. To compensate, I highly recommend an eight-button gamepad (such as the Microsoft SideWinder). A lesser gamepad requires using the keyboard, which works well on its own but is a chore to use along with a gamepad.

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