"Star Wars - Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" is at first glance a rather charming combination of third-person shooter and action-adventure which adheres very closely to the cinematic original. The levels are beautifully designed and spacious, Music and Speech originate often directly from the film and create a perfect Star Wars feeling of the (and that you have to unfortunately with a lot of emphasis to say), most video games adaptations of famous film series of life - and exclusively. Who this universe and its inhabitants so much love as the teenager I used to be, where it will be easy given the many, many turn a blind shortcomings this Konselenumsetzung both eyes. Eyes are already that first key word;
- The graphics of this game is one that is for the very worst it had to offer the good old Playstation. The figures seem to consist of plain wooden blocks and the level is equally difficult.
- The gameplay is a mean disaster. Mainly because the camera is so poorly positioned that one opponent or other hazards often only perceives when they are already in front of your Protoganisten 3 meters (it is then also to be recognized as such thanks to the graphic another hurdle). The collision detection is extremely messy and jumps often work only after umpteen attempts. What did not work in the old Tomb Raider parts (thanks to a dynamic camera) will simply not work out here - instead you namely to move during the many fights and evade (as you would expect from a Jedi) you step usually on the spot and fight your way the battlefield meter by meter. Two steps forward, one step back, two steps forward ... If you had not conceived after 10 minutes that you have to save on a regular basis would not be to create the game. So you go in front of the good old "trial and error" style and die on your way to the boss a thousand deaths.
- The load times between levels are still halfway bearable. Much worse, however, is that the game before, after and between each spoken line of pawns few seconds loads (why is beyond me). These permanent delays interfere permanently truly enormous.
- With great regularity that game crashes. Likewise, it seems to the cutscenes or certain trigger events simply fail time and practically forgot her your Score can. It is enough sometimes just to stand out in a bad spot while something happens scripted or even to strip a figure if it was not provided at this point. There is in this case no longer progressing and if you not as smart upholds 2 Scores to apply you have to start over.
- AI (mainly the allied figures) is underground. It often happens that you an accompanist will be provided to the side of (the theory) or must be protected you then either supported. In practice, both amounts to the same thing; There are now 2 rather than just a nothing-to-use end character whose demise for you the Off means. Should you remove this you too far from your protégé that is programmed against you come to. Again, the practice is somewhat different;
You left because you got a heavy firefight before Amidala. You have the droid with a lot of hardship and trouble struck, now goes back to the good pick and place them somewhere before halfway. She runs Purposeful against a wall, listening by itself does not return to and can be diverted by none of it. Once again, you can forget your score and have to start over, if necessary.
BUT ... it really is not all bad;
- The levels are often extremely large and offer plenty to see you.
- The noise is terrific. But this is not the merit of the programmer. Exactly sums it sadly together wonderfully. The atmosphere, the soundtrack, the video clips ... without these things would be this game a huge flop and exactly these things are actually foreign feathers to adorn themselves with those here.
- You're playing not just a figure, but will change from level to level. In the first levels there is Obi Wan, Qui Gonn Jinn on Tatooine and in the final stages shortly Captain Panaka and Padmé (the latter designed more for the long-range combat) before ye then again with Obi Wan finals against Darth Maul embark.
- The story of the film will be circumcised to a few little things but added at any point. Much of the action is played one on one and knows the players to captivate. This includes scenes often called cutscenes before and after the run levels.
- With many of the characters you meet can you interact during the game. Mainly during the 2 Tattoine level comes so actually on real fun. There to explore an entire city, to visit bars, to drive to settle disagreements, trade and do some small quests. There are often several ways to achieve your goal - what often in conversations decides where you have several response options.
This game has strengths. There is no doubt, but unfortunately it plays its trump cards too rarely. With a larger budget, a much longer production time and a pinch more sense a milestone would have happened to this title perhaps. Shame...
Die-hard fans can but ignore any of these defects on pretty much and be rewarded with an intense gaming experience and countless details. For these (and only these) people applies; Game 5 stars! Set out only once from one and added the remaining measured by how much passion for the Star Wars franchise is in you.
