REVIEW: SKELETON KREW - CD32

by: Sean Caszatt


Once again, it's time for some entertainment reviews. This time out, I'll take a look at one of the most recent CD32 titles, SKELETON KREW.

The year is 2062 and the Deadly Enforcement Aggressive Destruction, Inc. (DEAD, Inc.) has unleashed some nasty mutants, affectionately known as Psykogenix, onto the general populace. You've been called upon to direct the Skeleton Krew, a team of equally mutant-like mercenaries, to defeat DEAD's evil mutant army.

There are three Krew members to choose from: Rib, Spine and Joint. You may choose only one. (In the two player game, the other player can choose one of the remaining two.) Their task is to simply blast the hell out of everything that gets in the way, while trying to get to the end of each level. Power-ups and kash (sic) are scattered throughout the game and, of course, you're to pick up as much of those as possible.

In all honesty, SKELETON KREW is very similar to CHAOS ENGINE. You just have to shoot your way through the levels, open the gateways and stay alive. It's got the same "shoot-or-be-shot" attitude about it. However, it's not equal quality-wise.

The tilted perspective sometimes hinders your progress. It's easy to lose track of yourself or an enemy if it passes behind a wall or building. The odd rotating control is hard to get used to. You can rotate left or right while shooting. Shooting in one direction requires the use of two buttons. It comes in handy sometimes but, more often than not, you're spinning, running and shooting simultaneously and not hitting much of anything in the process.

The music is top-notch. It's a sort of pseudo-industrial/rap blend that's very interesting to listen to. It fits the mood of the game fairly well. The sound effects are slightly repetitive, but not bad.

SKELETON KREW is one of those games that I can't stop playing despite the fact that I know it's flawed. As a result, I hesitantly recommend it to anyone looking for a little shoot-'em-up action. As far as recommending it to all gamers though, I'd have to suggest CHAOS ENGINE first.

RATINGS:        WORST <------>  BEST

Playability:    * * * * * * - - - -     6 out of 10
Graphics:       * * * * * * * - - -     7 out of 10
Sound:          * * * * * * * * - -     8 out of 10

Overall:        * * * * * * * - - -     7 out of 10

Video Mode:     PAL

Manufacturer:   Core Design Limited

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