Crusader No Remorse

Developer - Origin
Publisher - Electronic Arts
Players - 1
Extras - Memory card

The bit on the box

"As a Silencer - one of the elite enforcers of the World Economic Consortium - you're supposed to be incorruptible. But if the system you serve is utterly corrupt, where does that leave you? Now, your former employers better watch their backs because you're coming after them with all the firepower at your command. No pity...no mercy...no remorse."

Graphics

In Crusader we have yet another PC port which has caused the graphics to suffer somewhat through the transfer. Everything is a much lower resolution now, and although the effect on a television doesn't look too bad it is still certainly no Rapid Racer as far as sharpness is concerned. The game itself is shown in isometric 3D (remember that?) which serves the game style well, except when the Silencer walks behind a piece of scenery and cannot be seen for a split second, sometimes in that same second a large mini-gun turret sets it's mind to shoot you to smithereens. The nice thing is that most of the scenery can be blown up (well that's one way to get it out of the way, even if it does set off the alarms at times). Animation is pretty standard, with the main character reminding me of a Stormtrooper action figure I had as a child (he even has the same cracks in his bum...ooer).

Sounds

This is one of those games that will appeal to pyromaniacs everywhere. If you can't caused something (or someone) to combust with an enormous explosion then you can probably set it on fire (in the case of enemies they run about screaming until they drop dead). The weapon sound effects sound good and powerful and there are other effects about that create a decent futuristic action atmosphere (voice alarms, computer bleeps, klaxons, etc), as does the techno-oriented soundtrack. The voice acting is pretty good too with Hollywood actors no doubt being used (it is an Origin game after all) although I did notice some of the conversation scenes between missions have been cut out for the PlayStation version.

Gameplay

If you can't blow it up, kill it! If you can't kill it, pick it up! If you can't pick it up, blow it up! The control system takes a little bit of getting used to but with practice you can be running, rolling, and shooting with the best of them. The player needs all the moves available to him in order to survive, because Crusader can get very difficult in later levels. The main problem with the game is that it does get repetitive, and even though Origin have put in a spattering of puzzles throughout they mainly consist of "find the key, unlock the door, kill people and blow everything up". You do also get to take control of robotic walkers now and then, but unfortunately this doesn't really change the gameplay any (it still remains for the most part a manic shooter).

I feel a verdict coming on

If you are a homicidal pyromaniac firestarting arsonist then you'll probably love Crusader. It also has a pretty decent storyline that follows the action, but overall unless you really love blowing things up and shooting people then this game will grow old very fast. More puzzle elements were needed to spice up the game and the loss of some of the FMV scenes from the PlayStation version doesn't help make the game appeal to those who have already played the PC version. It is an average port of an exciting game, and for the most part the main elements have been brought over successfully. An enjoyable game for awhile, this would make a good rental for anyone who needs to blow off some steam.

Review by D.R.T.Barrett