GORE, DEATH, BLOOD, AND EXPLETIVES -- at least one of these elements appears in each of the games in this month's selection. Although they contain nothing severe enough to faze the average teenager, the graphics or language is strong enough to warrant an advisory label on the box.
Doom II is the Mac version of the first-person twitch-and-shoot-'er that's been a best-seller on the Windows platform. Frankenstein: Through the Eyes of the Monster is a beautiful interactive adventure in the Gothic horror mode. Full Throttle is a clever interactive heavy-metal biker flick.
Doom II
Gore and More
For several years, Doom has been the hottest thing going on the PC. Millions of copies have been sold or bootlegged, and its network play is legendary among PC users. Now it's finally available for the Mac and comes complete with the look and feel of its PC sibling, including jaggy graphics. It's networkable with Macs or PCs, and it lets you plug in WAD files (independent levels of the game you can download from online services) created for the PC, so you can get different looks, such as Barney Doom or Simpsons Doom.
You roam a futuristic space port, discovering weapons and armor as you fight your way through 30 demon-infested levels in the faint hope of saving the Earth. It's fast and furious action, even on slower Macs, and it has enough death and destruction to satisfy the most bloodthirsty gamer. This game will keep you busy killing demons for a good long time.
Overall, Doom II is entertaining, but compared to Marathon, which has a similar theme, it's primitive. Marathon has better resolution, cooler weapons, nastier bad guys, slicker sound, and prettier scenery. If you like Marathon's action but you're tired of Marathon, Doom II is your game.
Frankenstein: Through the Eyes of the Monster
Beauty That's Skin Deep
Frankenstein is an adventure game in which you play the reanimated monster, awakened to explore the exquisitely rendered Frankenstein castle and grounds. The goal is to discover the how and why of your existence before the mad doctor kills you again.
For aesthetic beauty, this game gets high marks. The graphics have much more detail and higher resolution than the other two games in this review. Another plus is the intriguing Dr. Frankenstein, played by Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show's Dr. Frank N. Furter). He's entertaining and dangerously unpredictable.
Unfortunately, the game has a fatal flaw -- it's slow. Not only does it run sluggishly on all but the most powerful Macs but progressing in the game is also so difficult you're likely to give up. What makes the game so frustrating is that you get little feedback -- nothing more than a hand cursor that changes shape to indicate which direction you may travel or which objects you can handle. Compared to what you do in Myst, the popular game in the same genre, the actions you must take to progress in Frankenstein are obscure. If not for the 16-page cheat (which doesn't come with the game but can be requested from MacPlay), I'd still be stuck in the resurrection lab trying to figure out what to do next. This game will appeal to only the most hard-core gamers.
Full Throttle
Ride of Your Life
Full Throttle is a mixture of movie and game, spiced with humor. Although the graphics could be accused of suffering from the jaggies, the makers pull off some impressive effects.
You play Ben, a biker outlaw who's been framed for the murder of Malcolm Corley, founder of Corley Motors -- the last American motorcycle manufacturer. You must hunt down the true killer: the evil Adrian Ripburger, who wants to turn Corley Motors into a minivan manufacturer. Your other goal is to help Corley's daughter Maureen save the company.
Unlike typical games, Full Throttle is cinematic -- it has lots of noninteractive scenes that provide exposition. A pulsing multichannel digital soundtrack by heavy-metal band Gone Jackals makes the experience even more movielike. Unlike a movie, it requires you play games at times that take quick thinking and fast fingers. For instance, in one scene, you fight rivals on the highway with chain saws, boards, maces, and chains; in another, you drive a hovercar in a demolition derby.
The graphics are jagged, but the cartoon style is fun and the movement is smooth.
The only thing I can find to complain about, other than the jaggies, is that the game is limited in two ways -- it's linear, and it's too short. I finished it in three nights. I'd love to see a longer, more involved sequel with similar artwork and characters.
Bob LeVitus is a MacUser contributing editor and Power Computing's director of evangelism.
Game Point
If you like fast, furious, bloody action (and are sick of Marathon), load up a copy of Doom II. I recommend Frankenstein only to dedicated gamers with fast computers. It's beautiful but requires a lot of patience. Full Throttle is clever and fun, but I wish it were longer.
Doom II
Rating: Very Good (4 of 5 mice)
Price: $50 (estimated street).
Company: GT Interactive Software, New York, NY;
800-610-4847; http://www.gtinteractive.com.
Reader Service: Circle #419.
Frankenstein: Through the Eyes of the Monster
Rating: Acceptable (3 of 5 mice)
Price: $50 (estimated street).
Company: MacPlay, Irvine, CA; 800-462-7529 or 714-553-3530.
Reader Service: Circle #420.
Full Throttle
Rating: Very Good/Outstanding (4.5 of 5 mice)
Price: $50 (estimated street).
Company: LucasArts, San Rafael, CA; 800-985-8227 or 415-472-3400.
