The Final Word game review

Sewer Shark -- Sony Imagesoft

Sewer Shark is a hot new title for the new Sega CD ROM system. As a rookie "sewer jockey", you must pilot the sewer craft Hole Hog through the dangerous network of pipelines. As you dodge S-curves and three-way junctions, you must also exterminate as many sewer vermin as you can along the way. Bag a million pounds of "tube steak" and your reward will be a one-way ticket to Solar City and sunny beaches. Fail, and, well... they'll be scrapping YOU off the sewer walls. High quality full motion video and CD sound put you in the middle of this forward scrolling thriller.

Ferrari Man
Drool, slobber... oh gosh golly my--This game blew me away with just the intro. Sewer Shark is by far the best interaction with full motion video I've seen to date, period. The resolution and color palette weren't perfect, but this was hardly noticed. There's no way to explain it without seeing it.

????
This is a graphically enjoyable game to watch. The digitized cinema displays are awesome, the voice is very good, and the story (a bit unclear) is still pretty good. The only problem with the graphics is that you are zooming through the same (though neat) backgrounds and blasting the same enemies. There is virtually nothing great about the gameplay. You just move your target around and shoot the enemy. Every now and then you pilot the ship. I can't see this game lasting a long time and still being enjoyable without a little change in enemies and background. Definitely one to rent.

R.I.P.
HOLY S***! This game blew me away from the moment I hit the power switch. With the near exclusive use of full motion video throughout the entire game, this was like watching a movie, only I was the main player. Definitely the best in its class. If Sega CD games continue to meet or exceed the quality of this title, I'll soon become a devoted Sega CD player. My only concern is the rumored possibility that this game and the titles like it may be the extent of what this system can do. Let's hope not.

Salamander
Now THIS is full motion video! Even though it wasn't full screen, the intense action and the clever cockpit backdrop made it barely noticeable. Moreover, unlike many games in the past that have used full motion video, Sewer Shark went beyond just fancy intermissions. The play screens actually incorporated live video. While the gameplay could have used a bit more depth, Sewer Shark is nonetheless a showcase for the capabilities of the Sega CD.

>>>>> 82.0/100 <<<<<		Ferrari Man	????	R.I.P.	Salamander
Graphics		5.0	4.5	5.0	5.0
Sound		4.0	4.0	4.5	4.5
Gameplay/Control		3.5	3.5	4.0	3.5
Longevity/Playability		3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
Overall		4.5	4.0	4.0	4.5
Total		20.5	19.5	21.0	21.0

Originally appeared Vol 1, Iss 5 (12/92-01/93)