MDK
Developer - Shiny Entertainment
Publisher - Interplay
Players - 1
Extras - Memory card, Analog
The bit on the box
"Stream Riders are surfing the universe,
looking for planets to pillage and Gunter Glut, the most evil Stream Rider
alive, has just found Earth...Armed to his eyeballs, Kurt Hectic has been
sent to save the Earth from imminent destruction...Follow Kurt through
the largest 3D world ever created with over 60 areas of play. Visually
stunning with new graphics for every room at every level. Fast, fluid and
uninterrupted gameplay in high resolution, real time 3D. Kurt's deadly
accurate weapons - including his lethal, helmet-fitted, long-range sniper
rifle. Grotesque and evil enemies - including alien armies of robotic rotweilers,
kamikaze robots and reptilian andriods."
Graphics
I had very large doubts that MDK could be ported
over to PlayStation from PC because of the long horizons needed in order
for the sniper rifle to work, but Shiny have surprised the gaming industry
once again. Not only are the graphics as flash as those of the PC version,
but they move incredibly smoothly with only a small amount of slowdown
when something loads (usually in the tunnels between levels), and all with
no popup or fogging techniques required. The various worlds and levels
are a true artistic marvel to look at, with reflections and transparencies
in abundance, and every room being immense in size.
Sounds
Shiny really went all out for a movie-type atmosphere
when they made MDK. The sound effects not only suit the action with
various explosions, screams, and gunfire, but are also helpful to warn
you when you have been spotted (the enemy only start their alien banter
when they have seen you). As for the music, MDK has one of the best
(if not THE best) score of any video game I have come across to this day.
It can be orchestral one moment, comical the next, and even on one of the
later levels switches to a James Bond type soundtrack to really get the
action stirring. It really is super stuff that is even more impressive
than the great graphics.
Gameplay
Good use has been made of the PlayStation controller and
the button configuration has been wisely setup. It won't take very long
for a gameplayer to get to grips with all the moves and techniques the
main character has available, making the game very playable from the outset.
There is also an analog option for those who prefer it, though I found
that digital control was just as good. The player can save at any time
during a level, but when reloaded it will restart at the beginning of that
level, not at the point of saving, which for a game with only 6 main worlds
is probably wise. There are also varying gameplay styles to be had (the
sniper rifle being by far the coolest), though the majority of the action
is set in the third person shooting arenas, but it does break up any monotony
here and there to be able to do something different. If I was to have one
complaint about the playability (and you know I will!) it's the same problem
that One suffers from. The controls are very sensitive and can make
jumping onto platforms a nightmare, but at least you can use the handy
parachute to slow your progress, although this can get you shot by snipers
if you aren't careful.
I feel a verdict coming on
MDK is one of those titles that are great to look
at, listen to, and play, but could have been even better had a few more
levels been added. Given that the worlds are huge and take some strategy
to figure out, but a good long gaming session can blast by levels very
quickly and leave you wishing there was more (and a better ending too,
sheesh). There are 3 difficulty levels so if the game seems too easy you
can bump it up to make it more difficult, and perhaps last longer. For
the amount of time that you do play it however, you will probably have
the time of your life. MDK is one of those games worth owning, but
it's short length makes it an excellent rental title too.
Review by D.R.T.Barrett
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