Bedlam

Shoot 'em ups have a hard act to follow in the wake of Quake, butthat's the task left to GT Interactive's Bedlam. Marc Ambasna Jones roundsup the reviews on this and other new games.

Following in the wake of world-conquering Quake, GT Interactive has its knuckles on another 3D shoot 'em up in Bedlam - although in many respects this game seems like Leyton Orient to Quake's Manchester United.

However, the important thing to consider here is that Bedlam is not trying to be another Doom-clone, it is in fact, a little like Syndicate - an isometric and forced perspective 3D blaster. "This is a game that serves up so many targets you won't know where to point your gunsight next. This is Bedlam," says PC Review. But all that glitters is not an excellent blastfest of unbeatable dimensions.

"It's fast-paced action that's probably a little unfocused and too cluttered for its own good," adds PC Review. "This game quite literally is Bedlam," says PC Home, praising the fact that for once a name actually says what the game is all about. "There is a plot to this game, but I'm not convinced it will actually mean very much to the people who are going to go out and buy it. The key to the whole thing is that it's fast and frantic." There also seem to be a lot of explosions going on and an awful lot of big artillery. If this is what the kids want, this is what they'll get.

"Unfortunately, however, it is perhaps too simple," says PC Gamer.

One month on and there can still be no easier decision as to whether or not to stock Quake, with the late arrival of almost unanimous praise from the specialist press. Whether you're an indie or a multiple forget the margin - this one's all about footfall.

As with most hyped games, there is usually a degree of disappointment.

The shareware version of Quake had its critics. PC Gamer admits that many of its readers were disappointed that ID had shelved many of the early ideas for the game, leaving a game which was, well, just like Doom. In comparisons with Doom, PC Gamer says that there are less monsters and therefore Quake "lacks pace" as a result. It also suggests that Doom is "miles better on a network". That said, PC Gamer, like every other magazine that has come into contact with the title, is more than happy with the end result.

"It's perhaps not the creation-of-earth-rivalling-event that the world wanted to believe was about to take place, but it's hard to imagine anyone reaching the end of it and feeling disappointed." PC Zone is considerably more glowing. "I don't think I've ever seen a game induce passions in quite the way that Quake does," it says, adding: "Quake is quite simply one of the best games ever. Forget Duke Nukem, it's not even in the same league."

PC Review adds to the Quake homage. "Quake is a starting point for the next five years of 3D games," it says referring to the game's tools for programming new levels, monsters and weapons. "Quake is a truly fantastic game." Computer and Video Games says with unreserved excitement that "it's the best PC title ever, and the most enjoyable action game around."

From 3D shooters to 3D drivers. Megarace has returned with a sequel, uncannily called Megarace 2. The first Megarace got a bit of a pasting when it first came out (as one of the first ever CD games) and as a result, reviewers were not expecting much from the follow-up. Most seem to have been pleasantly surprised. "As a whole package, including the deliberately cheesy FMV, is pretty gosh-darned enjoyable, until you realise how difficult it is to win races," says PC Zone. "It looks great, moves OK and plays well, and it's quite challenging," adds PC Home. "Much better than its ancestor and well worth buying," it continues. "On the whole it's a massive improvement, and if you're a fan of arcade racers you most certainly won't be disappointed," says PC Powerplay. Computer and Video Games brings it back down to earth with a bump. "Driving and avoiding damage is the main objective," it says. "Megarace 2 is an okay racing game but it pales in comparison to more advanced 3D racers like Screamer."

Playing God has made a small fortune for Maxis and its Sim titles. Now the Playstation has Simcity 2000, which by all accounts is an excellent conversion from the PC. "Make no doubt, a brilliant game that has undergone a minor facelift and has come out looking suitably refreshed," says Playstation Plus. The reviewer adds that it's a title that "anyone with even a slight hint of megalomania will find thoroughly stunning." However Total Playstation suggests that buyers should tread carefully. "The Playstation version is slow. The pace that City crawls along at almost kills the numerous admirable features it has to offer." This suggestion of sluggishness is supported by Play +: "Gamers that don't already have Simcity are more likely to want a game that exploits the potential of their console, rather than a plodding game that requires more cerebral activity than your average Playstation showpiece. A good game that is going to face a tough battle out there. Shame."

Some may suggest it's also a shame that there is a recent trend for bubbly, colourful, squeaky cute retro games. The latest to be added to the list is Bubble Bobble Pack, confirming that somewhere, someone is a real genius of marketing or all games players are completely mad. After Alien Trilogy, you've now got Bubble Bobble trilogy - a collection of Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands and Parasol Stars. "This is one of the best retro collections to grace the Playstation so far," says Playstation Plus. "Newcomers may not understand the appeal of these two games, but anybody who's played either of them before will be enraptured by their release," says Play +. "Even by today's standards, Rainbow Islands proves to be a fresh, addicitve and highly challenging game," says Computer and Video Games.

THE ROUNDUP

Bubble Bobble Pack Acclaim Playstation u45A

Playstation Plus - 84% Play + - 85% Computer & Video Games - 4/5 Bedlam GT Interactive PC CD u40

Release end of Sept

PC Home - 84% PC Zone - 89% PC Gamer - 76% PC Review - 7/10 Megarace 2 Mindscape PC CD u45

Out now

PC Zone - 79% PC Home - 87% PC Powerplay - 88% Computer & Video Games - 2/5 SimCity 2000 Maxis Playstation u45

Release end of Sept

Total Playstation - 70% Playstation Plus - 91% Play + - 75% Quake (full version) ID Software / GT Interactive PC CD u45

Out Now

PC Gamer - 95% PC Review - 10/10 PC Zone - 96% Computer & Video Games - 5/5.

TEKKEN 2: RETURN OF THE IRON FIST.