Navy SEALs

Based on last year's motion picture of the same name, Navy Seals consists of five levels, each a progression of the "plot", namely that of the Seals' discovery of a cache of stolen "Stinger" missiles and their attempts to find and destroy them. In the first level of the game, your goal is locate the terrorist hideout somewhere in the harbor district. The second level involves storming the hideout and rescuing a helicopter crew that the terrorists are holding captive. In Level 3 you have to kill the terrorists as you make your way through a ship that will carry the Stinger missiles to their eventual destination. In Level 4 you discover that the ship was a decoy, and you must return to the city and find an informant (a reluctant one). Finally, in Level 5 you must penetrate the terrorist base and destroy the missiles.

Your weapons consist of guns; either a handgun or (if the correct items are picked up) a machine gun. Your Seal can jump, duck and walk. He can shoot when standing or ducking, but not when jumping (why?). Your opponents are terrorists. Contact with any of them is instantly fatal. In really tough spots you can call on a Seal sniper, who quickly snuffs out all opponents on the screen. You can only call the Sniper twice per level, and you'll get a bonus if you don't use him.

The graphics in this game range from excellent (the title and intermission screens) to mediocre (the game screens). The characters are clear and easy to see, but the animation is minimal, making the game somewhat static-looking. Like the other games reviewed this month, it is also a horizontally scrolling contest.

I can't say I loved Navy Seals, but it was an interesting enough playing experience. If you enjoy games of this type, you may want to check this one out. The one thing I did appreciate about the game was that it attempts to follow something of a plot. Simple as it is, it's a nice touch that helps make the game feel a wee bit more "real".