Shockwave 3DO

Shockwave for the 3DO was an alien invasion arcade flight simulator/shooter released by Electronic Arts  in 1994, early in the 3DO’s life span.

Visuals and Gameplay

Few sci-fi game scenes look as impressive as the arrowhead FI 77 gracefully traversing Earth’s outer atmosphere. While some skeptics and reviewers dismissed it as mere theatrics, the 3DO multiplayer experience embraced this spectacle as part of its allure. With a double-speed CD, quality native Cinepak video compression, and super-fast data transfer rates, the seamless integration of FMV presentations becomes second nature. Each level showcases Silicon Graphics wizardry, weaving high-quality, well-acted FMV seamlessly into gameplay.

FMV Integration

Shockwave’s FMV introduction is a dazzling CGI-driven marvel, with minimal artifacts and high frame rates. The inclusion of real actors integrated into CGI sets through green-screen photography sets it leagues apart from its competitors at the time. As players skim across the texture-mapped waves of the Nile, fellow pilots appear on the instrument panel, urging you onward, although they can sometimes fill the radar screen at the wrong moment during a battle. The interplay of sarcastic remarks from the female flight controller and news broadcasts detailing the alien invasion storyline adds another layer of immersion.

Mission Progression

Completing missions triggers new FMV sequences, updating players on alien progress and offering tactical insights, fostering a sense of involvement akin to a sci-fi TV drama. The acting in these sequences is leagues better than the embarrassing efforts experienced in Crash N Burn or Off World Interceptor.

Game Structure

The game unfolds across ten missions set in diverse Earth locales, offering players a broad corridor of movement with fixed altitude constraints. While end-level guardians await at the corridor’s terminus, alien-infested stages provide ample challenge along the way. Early encounters feature slow-moving adversaries with simplistic tactics, but tougher foes armed with smarter strategies emerge as players progress. At times, there are so many alien craft flying around that the auto missile lock-on becomes tricky but improves as you start to predict the alien flight paths.

Visual Fidelity

Visual game level fidelity matches the grandeur of the FMV sequences, with texture mapping adorning nearly every element apart from laser bolts. Alien vessels exude an otherworldly aura, while locales like Las Vegas are brought to life with shimmering streams of light against the darkened backdrop. These visuals, fully interactive in nature, reward players with explosive feedback upon collision (though you will lose shield strength), enriching the gameplay experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

For enthusiasts of the shoot-’em-up genre, Shock Wave delivers pulse-pounding action with a meticulously graded difficulty curve. Bolstered by superb Dolby Surround Sound that expertly tracks circling enemy spacecraft, the auditory landscape heightens the sense of immersion. However, the game’s fixed plot falls short of the interactive narratives found in titles like Wing Commander 3 and will leave some players yearning for deeper storytelling.

Challenges and Repetitiveness

Shock Wave’s Achilles’ heel lies in its lack of depth. With a straightforward arsenal and relatively simple combat mechanics, prolonged sessions across the game’s ten lengthy levels can become repetitive. Limited freedom of movement is initially disappointing because straying off from the relatively narrow gameplay corridor results in eventual craft destruction from friendly fire. However, you can double back a small way and adjust your mode of attack, unlike in Total Eclipse.

Conclusion

Despite its challenges, later stages offer a variety of graphical terrains and the occasional escort mission to spice up the gameplay. Shock Wave blends slick presentation with a formidable challenge in its later levels. This was one of the early 3DO games that truly delivered the promise of what the 3DO was supposed to be all about.