Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M.

• Release Date: November 30, 1999
• Genre: Shooter
• Style: First-Person Shooter
• Similar Games: Body Harvest (Nintendo 64), Jet Force Gemini (Nintendo 64), Duke Nukem: Zero Hour (Nintendo 64)

Game Description

Based on the Valiant comic book series, Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M. is a first-person shooter set in the distant future. Earth is under invasion from an army of giant insects, so it's up to the few, the proud, the Armorines, to stop them. As one of two remaining members of the elite armored task force, you must exterminate 30 types of creepy crawlies across five themed locales. Battle swarms of bugs through a jungle and volcano to the far reaches of Siberia and Egypt while collecting level-specific special weapons, ammunition, and health boosts. In addition to the single-player campaign, Armorines includes two-player cooperative missions and four-player competitive matches. Armorines for Nintendo 64 uses the same graphics engine and control scheme found in Acclaim's Turok 2: Seeds of Evil.

Review: Overall

The concept behind Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M has a promising ring to it: combine the Turok 2: Seeds of Evil engine with the elements of Starship Troopers for a great shooter, right? Well, that's what I would have thought. Somehow, Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M just doesn't manage to deliver.

Superficially, the game has the right stuff. The opening sequence is superb and makes the game look like a blast. The game's music ranges from theatrical to atmospheric. The sound effects, graphics and animation are also all appealing.

Not to mention the bug enemies! Coming in a variety of sizes and with their own style of trying to make you their "lunch," this has to be the creepiest assortment of videogame foes to come along in some time. If you have strong phobias about bugs, think twice before firing up this cart!

So with all these things going for it, why do I say that Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M fails to deliver? It's the gameplay. Perhaps if you've never played Turok 2: Seeds of Evil you will have a different experience, but for me, Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M didn't add anything to the Turok genre. After two relatively linear action-adventure titles, the Turok series wisely changed gears with the deathmatch title Turok: Rage Wars. Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M doesn't add anything to the Turok 2 engine except window dressing. Sure, the enemies and weapons are different, but neither seems quite as satisfying (or novel) as in Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M also offers the now obligatory deathmatch option, which I found to be less enjoyable than the stripped-down deathmatch offered in Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. While having a deathmatch option expands the replay potential of the cart, it really can't hold a candle to dedicated deathmatch titles like Turok: Rage Wars.

In short, if you played (and played and played) Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M will probably give you a "been there, done that" feeling. Perhaps players new to the genre might enjoy it more, but I would still advise them to try Turok 2 first, which is superior in nearly every way.

Review: Enjoyment

After the first few levels, the game felt flat.

Review: Graphics

Awesome bugs!

Review: Sound

The standout effects are the creepy bug sounds.

Review: Replay Value

A cooperative option and deathmatch mode increase the replay value a bit.

Review: Documentation

Well illustrated, but the information is somewhat abbreviated.