Aliens abound in this heart of darkness

Hearts of Darkness

Interplay

The company Interplay has been known to make role-playing games like "Hearts of Darkness." Although not an extremely well-known company, the games Interplay makes are very thorough and well done. If you ever played and liked "Flashback" or "Out of this World" for "Sega Genesis," you'll love this game.

The game is about a boy trying to save his dog from evil aliens. How or why his dog was taken is unknown to us. But players will have to jump, run, climb and shoot your way through two CDs of obstacles. I was impressed with the opening sequence, which immediately brings you into the story. Although the theme is a little childish (no ultra violence or naked women that actually might make it mature, though less fun) the story still gets you pumped up for action.

The gameplay is very different from other games out today. It's not just an action game. "Darkness" revolves around different puzzles for you to solve. If you are stuck, you know that the answers are always near you since there's only one way for you to go. The graphics are exceptional, especially the fluidity of the animation. The action is always very smooth, and the colors are vibrant.

There are also special dying sequences, like when you fall off a cliff, which brings me to my next point: the control. The control is, for the most part, good. But sometimes when you're trying to jump over a ledge, the damn character just walks off. You will then be treated to a detailed falling sequence that seems focused on emphasizing just how far and painful your plunge will be.

At first you may be impressed by this feature, but after a few more times, you just want the damn thing to shut up. After a few more times (and yes, you will be dying at some of these obstacles a lot of times), you'll be lucky not to slam your Playstation with a baseball bat. I kept my bat at my parent's house, knowing how Interplay games usually are. Luckily, "Interplay" knew that it's easy to die and so the game allows you to save anytime.

The sound and music are probably the highlights of the game. Even in the opening sequence, "Darkness" drags you in with music that sounds like a mixture of themes from "Star Wars" and "Back to the Future." Playing this game is like playing a part in a movie.

The game also deserves credit because it's unique. Unlike most other action adventure games, the main point is not to kill, but to solve puzzles which aren't really hard at all. In fact, you could say that this game is rather easy. But due to its ease, after you play it once, there's no replay value.

Overall, "Hearts of Darkness" is extremely fun the first time around, although you may get a little frustrated. This game is a definite rental, but only considering buying it after a price drop.

-Stephen Ma

10-07-98