5th Place

Alien Shooter [by Sigma]

Our Review

With Alien blood splattering everywhere, super-cool weapon effects and well-designed laboratory rooms, the fact that Alien Shooter came in 5th place in the graphics category gives you some idea of just how much better graphics in independent games were this year. 

Not to say that the graphics in Alien Shooter are the best best ever, but they are wonderful.  However at 640 x 480 resolution, the game may have lost a few points to the judges.

With all the well-done particle effects in the game, I have yet to talk to anyone who has played the game and does not think very highly of the graphics!  For those who haven't yet seen this game, which already won the Action game of the year from Game Tunnel, check it out now.

Score:  3.75

4th Place

Ultra Assault [by Small Rockets]

Our Review

I absolutely love this picture in the game.  It was about that spot where I fell in love with the graphics for about the 20th time.  What you are only catching in snapshot is the ship moving around and creating shadows with the lasers it fires.  If you look at the dome on the left, you'll see it is casting a shadow.  By moving the ship around and firing, you have total control over where that shadow is and when it is cast. 

Wonderful drawn state-of-the art 3D graphics are a highlight all throughout the game. The vapor trails of the missiles and the speed at which they are drawn is amazing is look at as is the electrical arc of the smart bomb. In addition, the lighting is something that needs to be seen to be appreciated. Every bullet you fire emits light from your ship that becomes a bright light source, causing nearby buildings, trees, and everything else to cast shadows that coincide with your fire. The more extend power-ups you have used, the greater the light source your ship becomes. Frankly it was fun just to fly around firing at times when there was no-one on the screen just to see the board light up with each shot.

Score:  3.0

3rd Place

Starscape [by Moonpod]

Our Review

The dark of space has never seemed so colorful and bright as it did in Starscape.  The beautifully painted backgrounds made you want to turn your ship into the third dimension and sail off towards the nebulas that cris-crossed the galaxy created for Starscape.

The ships and end-boses created for the game are bright and colorful, and all those missile trails from the enemy-seeking missiles are awesome.  This game is a visual treat!  Of course it was also the Game Tunnel Adventure game of the year, so the goodies don't end with the graphics. 

Score:  3.0

2nd Place

Orbz [by 21-6 Productions published by GarageGames]

Our Review

Orbz is strangely enough the only finalist in the graphics that uses the Torque engine.  As last year ended, and the Torque engine started being used more and more in games, we had assumed that the power of that engine would lead to some amazing graphics this year.   Orbz has certainly heeded that call, and produced a game that has simple but powerful graphics.

With wonderfully designed landscapes to explore that are varied from Ice, to construction, to summer-feeling and even eerie, Orbz has many well-themed and drawn boards that are fun to explore as you play through the game firing away at those floating stars.

Score:  2.75

1st Place

3D Airstrike: Operation W.A.T. [by Divogames]

Our Review

The first thing you'll notice when you check out 3D Airstrike is the size of the graphics.  Everything on the board is very large and very detailed.  From the 10 different helicopters, each seemingly more wickedly designed than the last as you start unlocking them throughout the game, to the enemies on the ground, all of the objects in the game are dazzling to look at.

The game also adds levels that vary greatly, from snow to rain, the special effects are well-presented.  My little girl kept asking me to play the snow levels over and over again just so she could see the snow fall.

Of course no shooter would be complete without some great explosions, and 3D Airstrike certainly fills the bill there as well.  With bright massive explosions, and great particle effects on the weapons that cause them, the beautiful polished graphics of the game have made a lot of people take notice of this game, and it was easily the winner of Game Tunnel's "Best Graphics On an Independent Game in 2003."

Score:  1.75