Hardwar

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: 1998
• Genre: Adventure
• Style: Action/RPG Adventure
• Similar Games: Wing Commander (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), Blade Runner (Commodore 64/128), Elite (Commodore 64/128), Wing Commander (IBM PC Compatible), Blade Runner (IBM PC Compatible), Wing Commander (Sega CD), Reah: Face the Unknown (IBM PC Compatible), Elite (Nintendo Entertainment System), Reah (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

This 3D space action adventure from Gremlin Interactive puts you in the role of a man trapped in Misplaced Optimism, which is the name of a run-down city on the barren moon of Titan. You can choose to be a trader, a free agent, a scavenger, an aggressor, an operative, or a speculator as you try to get away from the city and off of the moon. Since your ship isn't space-worthy as the game begins, you'll have to travel around the city picking up money, weapons, and the spaceship essentials required to repair your ship. The adventure offers a freedom of motion and an open-ended plotline that encourage the player to explore the 3D rendered environments.

Review: Overall

In Hardwar from Gremlin Interactive, you'll play a character who looks like Han Solo's younger brother and who is trapped in a city poetically named 'Misplaced Optimism.' The city is on the barren moon of Titan and your only possession here is a wreck of a ship that can't make it back into space. The objective of the adventure, apart from surviving, is to escape from Titan. How you do so is up to you.

Within the game, you get to play in one of six role modes: operative, trader, scavenger, aggressor, free agent or speculator. Of these, the aggressor is by far the most frenetic and interesting! No matter which role you choose, you'll travel around the city by monorail, picking up resources and weapons. You'll also be able to look around inside buildings, engage in dogfights in your trusty (though not space-worthy) craft, and trade for supplies.

The graphics are pretty good, although to get the most out of the game you really need a decent 3D graphics card. With it, Hardwar is glorious. Without it, the game doesn't seem to live up to its potential. One particularly powerful graphical effect is the 'fogging' foreground; as you watch a ship appear slowly from the mist you can't tell immediately whether it's a friend or foe. This adds a sense of mystery and (pardon the pun) atmosphere to the game.

The game reminds me of the 1980s classic Elite, although this title has none of the interstellar aspects of that game. It is, however, a wonderful game if you've got the equipment to support it.

Review: Enjoyment

Sometimes, it takes a while to understand what you're supposed to do next.

Review: Graphics

Graphics are excellent if you've got a 3Dfx card, but not so brilliant if you haven't

Review: Sound

Atmospheric and brooding

Review: Replay Value

Good for long sessions of exploring.

Review: Documentation

A good quality story manual

Production Credits

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