PC CD-ROM minimum system requirements: Pentium 60; 16MB RAM; 65MB hard disk space; Windows 95; Dual speed CD-ROM drive; SVGA £29.99 The most surprising thing about Outlaws is that it took so long for somebody to come up with the concept. A 3D shoot 'em up (e.g. Doom, Duke Nukem, Dark Forces) but with a western flavour.
Outlaws is perhaps the only game of this nature that hasn't got some outrageous plot set in the distant future. While the storyline is no more believable than any of its peers, it is at least based in the past, which is a welcome change.
And what better place to set it than the Wild West. In Out- laws, the enemies are not flying pig cops, giant robotic spiders or their ilk. Instead they are cigar-smoking, tequila-drinking, gun-bandits. Your weapons also reflect the period. And although there are still the standard pistols and shotguns, you have to reload manually, which can take a bit of getting used to. Other weapons include knives and sticks of dynamite.
There are three modes of gameplay, one sees you (Marshal Anderson) out to avenge those who murdered your wife and took your daughter. The "Historical" missions require you to capture various outlaws for a reward. And although they are wanted dead or alive, bringing them back alive is the challenge. The third mode of gameplay is the now almost standard multi-player option and Outlaws supports ipx, tcp/ip, modem and direct cable connection.
Although there are some mini-puzzles to be solved and you can't just shoot everything that moves, apart from its western theme, Outlaws doesn't offer anything of significance that hasn't already been done. But what it does it does well and the violence level is lower than the norm for such games.
Graphics: 89% Sound: 94% Gameplay:
Pandemonium
PC CD-ROM minimum system requirements: Pentium 100; 16MB RAM; 10MB hard disk space; Windows 95; Dual speed CD-ROM drive; SVGA £29.99
PLATFORM games have never really been the PC's forte. PC fans, it seems, often prefer strategy or adventure games. Pandemonium is a new breed of however, though, and only possible because of the power of modern PCs.
Right from the word go Pan- demonium uses this power to dazzle you with a spectacular intro that any game would be proud of. If a good start were half the battle then Pandemo- nium would be, well half way there. The game itself allows you to compete as either Fargus or Nikki.
Nikki has the ability to jump higher, while Fargus can somersault to take out enemies. As with most platformers there are the usual coins to collect, power-ups to utilise and keys to find. Shape changing, however, is a rare if not novel idea and by running through special gates your character can be transformed into a dragon, a rhino, a frog or even a turtle.
But what sets Pandemonium apart from other platformers is the graphics. Throughout the levels your eyes will be treated to one of the best exhibitions of colour and scenery.
But there is a downside.While Pandemonium can be immense fun, the action does not vary that much and while the game appears 3D, your character only ever scrolls from right to left - unlike the incredible Super Mario 64, in which you are free to roam almost wherever you choose. But if you are just looking for a quick game of hop skip and jump (and have a very powerful PC) Pandemoni- um is good clean fun.
Graphics: 95% Sound: 88% Gameplay: 82%
Virgin Top Ten
This week's 10 top-selling Sony Playstation games at Virgin Megastore are: 1) VRally - £44.99 2) International Superstar Soccer - £44.99 3) Rage Racer - £39.99 4) Soulblade - £39.99 5) Micro Machines 3 - £34.99 6) Tomb Raider - £44.99 7) Die Hard Trilogy - £44.99 8) Porsche Challenge - £34.99 9) Rebel Assault 2 - £44.99 10)Dark Forces - £39.99