Omega Boost

Omega Boost is a space shooter that takes place in a violent future where computers and robots have run amuck An evil dictator has apparently traveled back to the past and sabotaged the world's first computer (the EN.I AC.), so now no one is safe. It's up to you, armed with the Omega Boost, to voyage back to the past, destroy the bad guys, repair the EN.IAC, and make the future safe.

The game features nine stages of free roaming warfare, including intense dogfights with mechs and space ships. The gameplay is fast and explosive as you batde incoming enemies from all sides while trying to save the world from the heinous new ruler. Look for Omega Boost to blast into stores this October.

Overview

It is AlphaCore . Even it is not sure exactly when it was born. Its first memory is a sudden consciousness when self-awareness burst into its circuitry. As it grows it expands through the sea of information and soon discovers others -- mankind. Realizing that these humans can help it grow by expanding the network it secretly aids them. As the network expands, AlphaCore grows with it, exerting an unseen control over all mankind’s endeavors.

Then it is discovered. Humanity is shocked to find an entity enmeshed in their systems and has moved to destroy it. Believing it to be an unknown computer virus, mankind unleashes their most powerful vaccine programs. AlphaCore reels under the assault and when it recovers it retaliates by locking mankind out of the network. Soon it launches its own attack using the arsenals that were meant to defend, then it uses an experimental time machine to retreat into the past where it plans to destroy its enemies before they can hurt it. In a desperate attempt to protect history an experimental manned attack vehicle, Omega Boost, is launched into the past to track down and destroy AlphaCore before the history of mankind is destroyed.

Gameplay

While there is a story behind Omega Boost it doesn’t detract from the main purpose of the game: non-stop, fast-paced action. From the moment you’re flung into the past you will be battling AlphaCore’s forces as you try and find and destroy the system that is being built to destroy the future. You move in all three dimensions as you circle your opponents, blasting them from all sides. One of the problems often faced in this style of gameplay is finding the enemy in the 3D space. Omega Boost has that one licked -- one button automatically spins you to face the nearest radar lock.

There are essentially two weapons in the game. The first is a basic machine-style gun that blasts away at high speed. More important is your lock-on laser missiles. To use them you must stop firing your gun long enough for your systems to acquire one or more target locks (the number you can handle increases as you get further into the game). Once the lock-on is achieved, you just have to hit fire to launch multiple target-seeking laser missiles that devastate the targets. There is also a special power mode that repeatedly rams your ship into the enemy at high speed. This takes quite a while to recharge between uses though, so you’ll want to save it for when you really need it.

The gameplay swaps between shooting at waves of enemy ships and blasting away at a seemingly endless string of menacing boss bots. A few of the levels throw in obstacle avoidance as well, but overall the game focuses on fast action, explosions, and the impressive-looking bosses.

Graphics & Audio

The graphics in the game are fantastic, with a couple of exceptions. The engine behind the game is beefy enough to support the frenetic gameplay; the animations and special effects are all smooth. The one weak point is the terrain. Levels vary from apparently deserted planet surfaces to deep space and even inside giant spacecraft. The deep space levels look great, but the textures in other areas are often bland.

The sound effects range from deep, rumbling explosions and chattering gunfire to the whine of jets roaring by at top speed. The soundtrack includes heavy metal rockers Static-X and Loudmouth providing a gritty backbeat to the action that never clashed with the rest of the sound.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for fast paced action that doesn’t stop then Omega Boost has what you need. The game works for me as a great action game -- the special effects are over the top, the levels are seemingly boundless, and the bosses are huge and imposing. But the game misses the mark on some of the little things. The terrain is slightly monotonous and while the level bosses are cool, there is little buildup leading to them. For those looking for a mindless action fix, Omega Boost will fit the bill and it does have enough secrets to unlock to keep you playing. I like the game -- it’s fun and worth taking out for a spin, but it just misses the mark when it comes to the great shooters.