Could have been fantastic, but falls down when one seriously tries to play.

User Rating: 2.8 | Tempest 2000 (Re-Release) PC
By ToddHagen | Review Date:
I'm about he biggest fan of Tempest that there is. I co-held the world's record for about 6 months (1982) and even owned a stan-up machine for several years (should have never sold that!).

Anyway, the premise of Tempest 2000 is to port the Atari Jaguar title to the PC/MAC in all its glory. Graphically, the PC version is very faithful to the Jaguar, and the controls are responsive and clean. Play is pretty much ported over exactly too.

My main (and extreme) gripe is that the software alsmost seems like it was not playtested after about 40-50 levels. each level inrcementally increases the difficulty, to the point that at about level 65 or so, it's IMPOSSIBLE to proceed. I mean IMPOSSIBLE. I went as far as using a variable clamper (holding things like # of lives constant) and was unable to proceed any further. This took what could have been an incredible experience and made it absolutely no fun. I ended up giving up (and I don't give up easily).

Avoid this title at all costs unless you plan to collect it (and not play).
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