An intriguing and truly original experience.
The gameplay in Shattered Horizon is simple, yet it contains a large amount of depth. Starting players will find the familiar control scheme in tact, which makes jumping right into the game extremely easy. There is no single player aspect to the game, and there are no tutorials, but beginning players can hop into an introductory server where damage is disabled and they are free to learn the basics of flying.
Aside from practice servers, players are also able to join servers that sport a few different types of game modes: Skirmish - the classic Team Deathmatch mode; Battle - players battle for control points (similar to conquest in the Battlefield franchise); Assault - one team is assigned to take points while one team defends points; and Mixed - these servers switch between the game modes with each map change.
The small number of maps isn't quite as frustrating as one would first believe. Moondust, ISS, Flipside, and The Arc are the only maps currently available. Each map is literally a 3 dimensional battle space; as soon as you orient yourself to one direction someone or something will prompt you to rotate and see the map from a new aspect. This keeps each area feeling new and just a little different with each play through. Additionally, Futuremark has stated that they will be releasing additional maps after the game's release. And for those who were lucky enough to pre-order the game through Steam, they will be given access to test new map packs before their release to the public.
As stated above, Shattered Horizon is simple when compared to most games. There are no player classes, instead everyone is equipped with the same assault rifle that sports a dandy scope and grenade launcher. A 60-round clip is generous for a weapon that isn't completely accurate when fired from the hip. Additionally, the "sniper mode" of the weapon is incredibly dangerous with each shot firing 10 rounds. This keeps gameplay balanced by limiting the weapon to semi-automatic, instead of the fully automatic function normally found. Each rifle also hold 4 grenades which can be cycled through 3 different modes: EMP, ice, and MPR. EMP grenades let out a blast that freezes the suit functions of everyone close to it. Ice grenades burst into a "smoke" cloud that can be used as portable cover. MPR grenades launch unsuspecting players hurtling into the dark vacuum of space.
Shattered Horizon is full of interesting features that really bring out the depth of the gameplay. Features such as "silent mode" which lowers the visual signals (and audio "simulation") of the suit and allows players to be nearly invisible; magnetic boots that allow players to attach to any surface, and at any angle, to create that surprise attack from above; and the always satisfying kill-points such as the brutal tankshot which results in the suit erupting in flame from a critical shot to the oxygen tank. Every aspect of the game is focused on making you feel like you are actually floating in a zero-gravity battlefield.
The graphical aspect of Shattered Horizon is breath-taking. The amount of detail displayed in the environment and even on the players themselves is astounding. Ice gathers on players as they glide through the dark ridges of the asteroids is a great touch. However the amazing graphical effects boasted by this game don't come without a price. The bare minimum requirements for this game are an 8800 graphics card from nVidia and a multi-core processor. Also, anyone still running on Windows XP need not apply. Only computers running on Windows Vista or later are able to run the game. This is due to the DirectX10 aspect of the game that is required for it to run. This may be a turn off for some, but for others let this be an incentive to finally make the jump to Windows 7.
In all Shattered Horizon is a great game, made even better by the simplicity and depth offered in the original gameplay. And if you're still on the fence after all of this, Futuremark has another surprise in store for you; the game is only $20. For a game offering so much, $20 is a steal. The system requirements aside, Shattered Horizon certainly delivers a great package, one that should not go unnoticed.