Tuesday, November 4, 2003
Anthelion: The Galactic Alliance
Posted by David Prahl in "SOFTWARE" @ 11:40 AM
PDAMill has just officially released Anthelion 1.0, the first true three-dimensional space shooter. This is new ground for Pocket PCs. "Interstellar Flames", which we reviewed in June, is similar but lacks the features and graphics that Anthelion has. So is Anthelion the 3D space adventure game we've been waiting for? Read on to hear about how this landmark game performs!
Interstellar Flames was pretty cool, but users could only go forward or backward. It was the first step towards full three-dimensional gaming, something that Anthelion 1.0 tries to accomplish. The graphics, music, and sound effects of this new PDAMill game push the Pocket PC to its limits. Is this asking too much of the device, or can it handle it? Does Anthelion really work?
Getting Ready for Battle
Like most games, Anthelion has a main menu that lets you start a game, change the controls and settings, and get some help. If you're like me and like to press down on the directional pad to go up, be sure to go into the "Controls" section and "reverse controls" before starting a game. After that users can tap "Start" and create a pilot.
Figure 1: The Main Menu
Figure 2: Creating a pilot (after this screen shot I switched it to "Easy") :lol:
After creating or selecting a pilot, the user enters the E-Mail Console and Mission Module. Messages from characters in the game appear as e-mail messages (even in the year 3047!). Before and after each mission you'll receive valuable information in these messages, and I strongly suggest reading them all. You can't send mail, by the way, only receive it. It takes a while to get used to all the pirate speak, lad, but ya git yer sea legs after a few missions.
Figure 3: The E-Mail console is where you get information about past and future missions
The Info screen offers pilot statistics and basic information. Since you don't gain "points" in Anthelion, this is what you'll use to brag to your Pocket PC friends.
The Mission Module, which is tucked in with the E-Mail and Information screens, gives you a quick summary of the missions. In the E-Mail Console missions are assigned a number, but here they get a nickname. I found this to be a little annoying, but never got lost or anything. Unread E-Mail messages and unfinished missions are in white text, while those read or completed are in drab green. Select a mission and hit "Start" to move on.
Figure 4: The Mission Module offers a quick summary of vital mission information.
Can't Get Very Far Without a Ship
Players start with only one ship, the Sloop. It may sound like a viscous blob, but it gets you where you need to go until a better ship can be designed (or captured). Each ship is rated as a fighter or bomber, and stats on speed, size, and maneuverability are given.
Figure 5: Selecting just the right ship is pivotal in those life-or-death missions. Choose wisely!
After selecting a craft, you need to arm it with the necessary weapons. Tap the "Arm" button on the bottom right to pop up an option pane. Most ships have three or four weapons bays, and players need to have something in each one. Every ship always has two or four main guns besides these bays, but the rate of fire varies by the model. In some missions you'll need to equip an EMP (Electro magnetic Pulse) Cannon, which allows you to completely disable a ship. You'll have to find out about the more advanced weapons on your own, but the basic idea is that you can hold a lot of little bombs or a few big bombs. And of course the bombers hold more of everything. When you feel you have the right combination of weapons, press "Launch" to leave the docking bay.
Figure 6: Lock n' Load! Be sure you have the right weapons for the mission.
Interstellar Flames was pretty cool, but users could only go forward or backward. It was the first step towards full three-dimensional gaming, something that Anthelion 1.0 tries to accomplish. The graphics, music, and sound effects of this new PDAMill game push the Pocket PC to its limits. Is this asking too much of the device, or can it handle it? Does Anthelion really work?
Getting Ready for Battle
Like most games, Anthelion has a main menu that lets you start a game, change the controls and settings, and get some help. If you're like me and like to press down on the directional pad to go up, be sure to go into the "Controls" section and "reverse controls" before starting a game. After that users can tap "Start" and create a pilot.
Figure 1: The Main Menu
Figure 2: Creating a pilot (after this screen shot I switched it to "Easy") :lol:
After creating or selecting a pilot, the user enters the E-Mail Console and Mission Module. Messages from characters in the game appear as e-mail messages (even in the year 3047!). Before and after each mission you'll receive valuable information in these messages, and I strongly suggest reading them all. You can't send mail, by the way, only receive it. It takes a while to get used to all the pirate speak, lad, but ya git yer sea legs after a few missions.
Figure 3: The E-Mail console is where you get information about past and future missions
The Info screen offers pilot statistics and basic information. Since you don't gain "points" in Anthelion, this is what you'll use to brag to your Pocket PC friends.
The Mission Module, which is tucked in with the E-Mail and Information screens, gives you a quick summary of the missions. In the E-Mail Console missions are assigned a number, but here they get a nickname. I found this to be a little annoying, but never got lost or anything. Unread E-Mail messages and unfinished missions are in white text, while those read or completed are in drab green. Select a mission and hit "Start" to move on.
Figure 4: The Mission Module offers a quick summary of vital mission information.
Can't Get Very Far Without a Ship
Players start with only one ship, the Sloop. It may sound like a viscous blob, but it gets you where you need to go until a better ship can be designed (or captured). Each ship is rated as a fighter or bomber, and stats on speed, size, and maneuverability are given.
Figure 5: Selecting just the right ship is pivotal in those life-or-death missions. Choose wisely!
After selecting a craft, you need to arm it with the necessary weapons. Tap the "Arm" button on the bottom right to pop up an option pane. Most ships have three or four weapons bays, and players need to have something in each one. Every ship always has two or four main guns besides these bays, but the rate of fire varies by the model. In some missions you'll need to equip an EMP (Electro magnetic Pulse) Cannon, which allows you to completely disable a ship. You'll have to find out about the more advanced weapons on your own, but the basic idea is that you can hold a lot of little bombs or a few big bombs. And of course the bombers hold more of everything. When you feel you have the right combination of weapons, press "Launch" to leave the docking bay.
Figure 6: Lock n' Load! Be sure you have the right weapons for the mission.
