Act: Space Tripper (by Pom Pom)

Game: Space Tripper
Release: Nov. 1, 2001
Genre: Action
Website: Pom Pom
System Requirements: P3 400mhz or greater, 64 MB RAM, Open GL compatible Video Card, DX 7+, Win 98/ME/2K/XP, A good joystick
Price: $12

The wizzards at Pom Pom had another game created long before Game Tunnel Awarded its game of the year award to Mutuant Storm.  It all began from this awesome independent with Space Tripper. 

Space Tripper is "inspired" by the classic arcade game "Defender."  I've seen people go so far as to say it was extremely similar to defender.  I personally think of it otherwise.  This game is an entirely new concept that is as fun to play as it is hard to put down.

The concept is fairly simple.  You control an advanced space craft that could be more of a hoover craft as it doesn't actually fly, it instead floats just above the ground.  The ship is armed with two types of lasers.  The blue laser is really your power blaster.  The red is weaker, but it has a fairly wide range to it.  You swap which weapons you are using by clicking a button on your joystick. 

The big key to the game actually lies in the ships ability to switch directions at a seconds notice.  At the touch of the button, the ship will spin and flip around, allowing you to fire at those cowardly enemies sneaking up from behind!

Each level begins calm enough, with ground beneath your craft, and no enemies anywhere to be seen.  Soon however, ships and other weaponary starts to "beam" in.  If you have played any other Pom Pom game, you know that you will have to have quite the trigger finger to get through the game.  Enemies quickly start mutiplying such that you will be racing about the board attempting to avoid enemies while blasting as many as you can! 

Space Tripper sports 14 individually crafted levels that are broken out into 4 different areas.  The first area has levels that resemble something of a space-age temple.  The second has you destroying many different tanks and guns on a futuristic ship that is floating in the water.  The third level, the one that gave me the most challenge personally, is full of insects.  It reminded me of the Zerg on Starcraft...though the graphics here are much better.  The final level, which really shows of the graphics of Space Tripper, has the look of a more primative culture, with large blocks and cylindrical totem poles attacking your ship, while walls with large Easter Island looking monoliths look on.  One of the more interesting things about the levels is that none of them are flat.  Though the game is built in 2D perspective, it runs entirely in 3D.  Often though you can see the entire board, there are sections of a board that are on different planes.  These different areas have ramps between them to allow you easy access to all areas, and really adds to the game as you are trying to take enemies out on different levels.

True to the arcade drama, the battle of each level builds upward in difficulty until you reach an end boss that completes the level.  The first level ends with a gigantic mechanized spider that will eat you for lunch the first time you play at the least.  Other end-bosses vary in difficulty; I had a hell of a time with the serpent endboss on the insect board!

Thankfully the weapon you begin with isn't at full strength when you get it.  As you destroy enemies, occasionally a power-up will appear in their place.  These power-ups are blue if you are using the blue laser, and red if you are using the red spread laser.  By collecting the power-up with your ship, your weapons power will be raised one level.  Each weapon can progress up to level 15, changing not only its destructive ability, but also its look and to some degree its range on the screen.  There are not enough power-ups in the game to power-up both your weapons to their top level, so you will need to make some choices when you pick up your power-ups as to which weapon is the most helpful to you.

If you manage your way through the whole game on easy, there is an even greater challenge awaiting you on the hard level.  At such a low price, Space Tripper is an absolute bargain.  This is one great game that everyone should have a copy of in their library!

Graphics: 10
This is a game that you must see in motion to understand.  The graphics offer multiple levels of beauty that a screenshot of the game could never catch.  My personal favorite was the rain falling on the first level of the final area, though all the way down to the fish swimming in the water in the second area, you will find many well-detailed graphics that are worth pausing the game just to look at.  The particle effects in the game are great, and the first time I played, I just moved my ship left to right to see the thrusters firing in each direction.  This game is great to look at, and despite its one year age, raises the bar for graphics in an indie game. 

Sound: 9
There is no music really in the game, but that does not detract from the sounds that are available.  The sounds that exist for each of the character, and as you are blown to bits are very clear and a good bit of bass, so that those with good stereo systems should really be able to get pumped up while playing the game.

Game Play:  10
It is quite easy to control your character in the game, as the switch from firing left to firing right is flawless.  You are thankfully given a couple of seconds, if you fly off of the landmass you are hovering over, to get back over solid ground before you fall off into oblivion.  You may have to play a couple of times to get the swing of things, but I felt wired into my ship the very first time I played.

Options: 9
The option available are plentiful and vary from simple options of changing the sound and the many visual changes you can make to speed up and/or slow down the game by making it more graphically refined.  One of the more interesting options actually flips the entire game play from running horizontal to running vertically.  It didn't really work for me...as I certainly could use the extra inches the width of my screen gives me over the height, but it was an interesting option.  There is also the ability to turn off continues for those who really think they are bad.

Concept: 10
As mentioned before, I've heard/read about people referring to this as a Defender clone...and well I don't see it.  This game, though inspired by defender, is better as a concept in every way over that game.  It has truly taken on a life of its own and is a brilliant original concept.

Fun: 10
I actually ran into Space Tripper some time ago and have long had it on my "purchase" list.  When the opportunity came to review the game I was pleased to be able to do so.  This game is a blast to play.  It requires fast wits and quick movements, and won't suck away your whole day with meaningless story.  Space Tripper is pure arcade action fun at its best.

Overall:  10
What can I say that I haven't already said?  It is real hard to determine if Space Tripper or Mutant Storm is the better of the two Pom Pom games.  My personal feeling is that as good as Mutant Storm is with its nearly endless replay value, Space Tripper might be even better with fun maps to explore and excitement around every corner! Added: January 18th 2003
Reviewer: The Mole
Score:
Related Link: Space Tripper Screenshots
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Language: english