Mad Max with choppy graphics?
Motor Massacre was released by Gremlin Graphics and feels like a wicked blend of a number of my favourite games. The action takes place in a grim post-apocalyptic future where each city is ravaged by war and resembles a Mad Max movie! All food stores were destroyed in the holocaust, so people were starving until Doctor A. Noid came up with a substitute called "SLU" to help the waning population. This all sounds great, right?
Why are these masterminds almost always doctors? Anyhow, it was all a trick because SLU tastes like poo and turns people into zombies! So it's up to you to rescue the city from its psychotic drivers, explore buildings, and then battle in a demolition derby event to ultimately find the doctor and end this misery.
Why are these masterminds almost always doctors? Anyhow, it was all a trick because SLU tastes like poo and turns people into zombies! So it's up to you to rescue the city from its psychotic drivers, explore buildings, and then battle in a demolition derby event to ultimately find the doctor and end this misery.
See, it's basically Mad Max in game form! So let's see the first screenshot...
Pandy's Pork Palace sounds a lot better than it actually is!
It's Carmageddon!
This is more than one game: the cities are explored from the comfort of an ATV, top/down, similar to Chicago 90. Unlike that, we can get out of the car and go inside buildings, and this changes the game to something like Time Bandit or Gauntlet. This combination really works well and enhances the overall feel of the game.
So, driving around the city is tremendous fun because you are completely free to roam the streets. That means blasting at anyone who might get in your way. All other drivers are out for blood and want you dead by any means. Their road rage antics are vicious, so defend yourself using the cannon fitted to your car! Whilst blasting the suckers into oblivion, watch out for hazards such as oil spills and explosives carelessly left lying in the road. Do note the gun turrets, which line many streets and are annoyingly highly accurate.
Wanna be Mad Max? Who doesn't, right? Let's see another screenshot...
It's demolition derby time when we can shove other cars into dark oblivion.
It's demolition derby time when we can shove other cars into dark oblivion.
Get out of the car
You'll note that this dead city still has many buildings standing, and they offer an opportunity to collect goods like weapons and health. So look out for their location using the road markings (Pandy's Pork Palace is available right from the start and contains a handy ATV upgrade). However, beware and at the ready to expect trouble, as you will discover that these places are often thriving with ghouls and other creatures lurking in the shadows.
Nowhere is safe, but you're armed with a pistol, so shoot first and ask questions later! Keep searching these areas, and you should find an arena pass to the demolition derby. This event is pure Carmageddon, and nothing beats pushing your opponents into a chasm! Success grants you access to the next city.
An interesting "mechanic" is how your vehicle's appearance alters as it takes damage. So I'm grateful the holocaust didn't destroy other buildings - like the repair shops. These will offer a wide range of services that you'll need - like fuel, weapons, and ammo. The mechanic working here scares me, but I like his T-shirt!
Behold, the freakiest screenshot on AtariCrypt...
The mechanic is freaky. It's almost on a Chucky level here... (shudder)
The mechanic is freaky. It's almost on a Chucky level here... (shudder)
Aesthetics?
Visually, this is a basic affair with crudely drawn graphics and average scrolling to boot. However, I must admit being mightily impressed with the animation of the running men, which reminded me of Impossible Mission. Sadly, the sound effects are probably worse than the visuals. Truly terrible.
Who cares about the sounds when we can destroy the world from our car? Screenshot time...
However, we need him because the roads in the future are just terrible.
The CryptO'pinion?
Motor Massacre has been a nice surprise. It's about as glam as a dog turd, but I enjoyed the mix of arcade-style action with levels of adventure lurking below the surface. Being able to enter buildings adds that extra dynamic I loved - and there's always something stupid waiting for you! Don't take it seriously and have fun.
Superb game, and zipping around the city looking for victims is incredibly enjoyable!!
Mel Gibson wannabes can download the floppies
Tear up the roads like Mad Max!
Tear up the roads like Mad Max!
