FZ-10's REVIEW: Stellar 7 Draxon's Revenge
Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 4:33 am
If you're unsure of the awesomeness that awaits within your copy of Stellar 7 Draxon's Revenge, all you need to do is read the box:
"Two thousand years in the future, mankind fights against an ancient enemy! Gir Draxon, Overlord of the Arcturan Empire, has returned with a mysterious Warplink capable of funneling his Death Cruisers from distant worlds.......With Draxon's Revenge, the awesome 3DO system engages you in a complete Sci-Fi battle experience!........Feel the smoothness of control! Shake to the thunder of her firepower! Battle sweeping attacks of enemies so real, you'll need sunblock to prevent blaster burn!"
That's seriously the best review on the back of a box.. ever. And that's just a taste of what makes Stellar 7 Draxon's Revenge so great. Is it the best game on the 3DO? Not by a long shot. In fact, it's gameplay is only best in short bursts. But it's the entire package that makes this title stand out in your collection.
Gameplay is very similar to Atari's Battlezone. In fact, other than the graphics, endless unique enemies, and speed, the game is nearly a blatant rip-off. Your dashboard's radar will show you enemies, enemy fire and obstacles with ease. Staying still is a recipe for certain death; speed is your only ally. Hell the game is so awesome, it's own box doesn't recognize "Stellar 7" as part of the title! It reeks of early 90's cheese, and that puts such a huge smile on my face.
Controls are simple and very fluid. Dpad is used to steer, accelerate, reverse, and your face buttons are used to fire your weapon, special weapons and to switch your special weapon load-out. Shamefully, the triggers aren't used. If these were used for strafing, I think the game would have been a perfect title, but you'll have to make due without them. I do wish the dpad was only used for steering instead of acceleration and reverse, but it's a small complaint.
Unlike Battlezone, the game features boss battles. At the end of the level, you'll encounter a 60 ft tall Guardian that's beamed down from a mother ship. Enemies are also varied, including tanks, landspeeders, robot birds, turrets, space craft, etc etc. It's exactly what you'd expect from a "next-gen" Battlezone.
As usual for the system, one of the best qualities of the game is the audio. Voice work is great, music is appropriate, and the sound is crystal clear, crisp and loud. FMV cutscenes are well done, and do well to explain the game's story (albeit needless) before you begin. Graphics are actually something to write home about. Colorful backgrounds, smooth framerates, and great 3D polygonal enemy graphics (for the 3DO) really make this game stand out.
If I had any real complaint, it would simply be how "arcade" like the game is. After a few attempts, you'll be done until another day. There's not much to keep you coming back for hours on end like other games on the 3DO. And while this might be a let down for some, it does what it was meant to do; be a next-gen Battlezone. Battlezone is one of my favorite games of all time, and even with that game I can only play a few rounds before moving onto another title. This is no exception.
But what this game lacks in depth, it excels in character. It's not just the graphics, it's the style. Everything from the back of the box to the cover art, the art direction to the sound work, it all really makes such a unique and memorable experience, you'll want this game in your collection for years to come.
It's not perfect, but it's still as awesome as it's described on the back of the box.
I don't score my games. It's either, Buy, Try, or Pass. Buy this today!
"Two thousand years in the future, mankind fights against an ancient enemy! Gir Draxon, Overlord of the Arcturan Empire, has returned with a mysterious Warplink capable of funneling his Death Cruisers from distant worlds.......With Draxon's Revenge, the awesome 3DO system engages you in a complete Sci-Fi battle experience!........Feel the smoothness of control! Shake to the thunder of her firepower! Battle sweeping attacks of enemies so real, you'll need sunblock to prevent blaster burn!"
That's seriously the best review on the back of a box.. ever. And that's just a taste of what makes Stellar 7 Draxon's Revenge so great. Is it the best game on the 3DO? Not by a long shot. In fact, it's gameplay is only best in short bursts. But it's the entire package that makes this title stand out in your collection.
Gameplay is very similar to Atari's Battlezone. In fact, other than the graphics, endless unique enemies, and speed, the game is nearly a blatant rip-off. Your dashboard's radar will show you enemies, enemy fire and obstacles with ease. Staying still is a recipe for certain death; speed is your only ally. Hell the game is so awesome, it's own box doesn't recognize "Stellar 7" as part of the title! It reeks of early 90's cheese, and that puts such a huge smile on my face.
Controls are simple and very fluid. Dpad is used to steer, accelerate, reverse, and your face buttons are used to fire your weapon, special weapons and to switch your special weapon load-out. Shamefully, the triggers aren't used. If these were used for strafing, I think the game would have been a perfect title, but you'll have to make due without them. I do wish the dpad was only used for steering instead of acceleration and reverse, but it's a small complaint.
Unlike Battlezone, the game features boss battles. At the end of the level, you'll encounter a 60 ft tall Guardian that's beamed down from a mother ship. Enemies are also varied, including tanks, landspeeders, robot birds, turrets, space craft, etc etc. It's exactly what you'd expect from a "next-gen" Battlezone.
As usual for the system, one of the best qualities of the game is the audio. Voice work is great, music is appropriate, and the sound is crystal clear, crisp and loud. FMV cutscenes are well done, and do well to explain the game's story (albeit needless) before you begin. Graphics are actually something to write home about. Colorful backgrounds, smooth framerates, and great 3D polygonal enemy graphics (for the 3DO) really make this game stand out.
If I had any real complaint, it would simply be how "arcade" like the game is. After a few attempts, you'll be done until another day. There's not much to keep you coming back for hours on end like other games on the 3DO. And while this might be a let down for some, it does what it was meant to do; be a next-gen Battlezone. Battlezone is one of my favorite games of all time, and even with that game I can only play a few rounds before moving onto another title. This is no exception.
But what this game lacks in depth, it excels in character. It's not just the graphics, it's the style. Everything from the back of the box to the cover art, the art direction to the sound work, it all really makes such a unique and memorable experience, you'll want this game in your collection for years to come.
It's not perfect, but it's still as awesome as it's described on the back of the box.
I don't score my games. It's either, Buy, Try, or Pass. Buy this today!