The Chaos Engine (1993) PC

The eccentric scientists have it to themselves that when they create something, their experiments are usually out of control. It was no different in the case of Baron Fortesque, who, while building the title machine, did not suspect that it would soon turn against his "father", affect the psyche of ordinary people, arm them to the teeth and order them to sow war, death and destruction...

The Chaos Engine is a classic shooting with a view from above, reminiscent of Gauntlet games, or Alien Breed. The player's task is to break through sixteen dangerous stages, kill on the way everything that moves and finally face the hellish invention.

There are six mercenaries to choose from, differing in skills (each of them is described by means of several coefficients) and an arsenal of means of extermination. In addition to the basic weapons, each of them also has a special means, which can be e.g. a bomb destroying everything on the screen, a map of the area or other equally useful accessories. You can play both alone and in two people. In the first case, the control of the second mercenary includes a computer. This is where we have to pay tribute to the authors of the programme: artificial intelligence is at a really high level. A computer player often pulls himself forward and constantly attacks enemy monsters, which relieves the player of the burden. As if that wasn't enough, it can also collect the money scattered here and there, find the keys, that is, generally do things that are usually left only to the player in other games.

The game offers four different graphic worlds, which in turn consists of four "normal" stages. In order to complete the board, you not only need to find a way out, but also to run obelisks located in different places. Every two stages for the money earned during the action, you can make improvements to our heroes by improving their skills. The Chaos Engine is considered to be one of the best shooters ever released on a PC. Nice and legible visual setting, good music (although the version from Amiga was receding) and a large dose of adrenaline - all of this determined its incredible success.

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Last updated on 10 December 2007