Space Hack
Review
Diablo in space
by Rook
reviewed on PC
Turning a little, into a lot
In Space Hack, Meridian 4 has done an admirable job on showing exactly how much can be done with very little. This title looks much better than many games of this genre that had greater resources and budgets available to them. The game is visually pleasing to look at during both idle periods and intense combat. The environments in which Hack has his adventure running from Biosphere to Biosphere are lush, vibrant 3D environments which really jump out at you against the dull haze grey of the bulkheads of the Maximus XV. I only experienced slowdowns and framerate drops a few times while rampaging against the dozens upon dozens of bugs, but it wasn't such to hinder gameplay. The graphics may not be cutting edge but are still well rendered and of acceptable quality. The introduction of a zoom function would have certainly been a great addition however. You can get a rough idea what Hack and the rest of the survivors look like, but due to the camera being zoomed so far out, it's impossible to make out much detail in anything, let alone a characters face and movements. All in all, the graphics may have not been ground breaking or Biosphere shattering, but the game still offers enjoyable visuals.
Sound is everything, it can make or break a title just by a few characteristics of the soundtrack. Space Hack has found a happy medium in which it safely sits. The industrial themed musical score of the game is well suited for the multiple environments you will experience, keeping pace with the gameplay the whole time. I found the most enjoyment in the small sounds and noises throughout the game. That satisfying 'Splort' after the alien bug you just laid waste to explodes into a fountain of green goo or the 'Sqeesh' from under your feet as you walk through the green puddle that was an alien larva sack. Unfortunately, the novelty of these sounds start to wear off as you advance through the game after hearing the same bark or grunt of pain after battling hundreds of enemies. Regardless, the sound effects in your environment are functional during your bug stomping rampage.
Replay
The replay value of this title is a topic of uncertainty to me. Space Hack does not offer any kind of multiple character selection, multiplayer support or online play. It does however, boast an epic 80-100 play hours from start to end. Between the difficulty, insane length and a modest addiction factor, this title will keep players busy for an impressive amount of time. The real question is, after you do get to the end and save the day, would you really want to go through 80-100 all over again? I find 80-100 hours as impressive as I do intimidating. Space Hack is mildly addictive however. It will likely keep fans of this style of game coming back to fight on until you reach another area that makes you pull patches of hair out of your head and violently vent your frustrations out on your defenseless mouse. Perhaps you now understand the cause of my uncertainty? Space Hack has such logitivity that IF you finish the game, you may not be in the mental state to start over new. I am, however, truly impressed with the length of this title and I applaud Meridian4/Rebelmind, but I wish good luck to those who tackle the challenge of Space Hack, twice back to back.
Summary
In closing, Space Hack has proven that you do not need a big company budget to provide a quality product. Despite any flaw that has been mentioned in this review, the fact that none of them are bug related says a lot about the quality of the work that went into this title. With modest system requirements, it can very easily be played from the meanest gaming rigs to the professionals' business laptop making those cross country flights a bit more bearable. Its addictive nature and familiar gameplay will spark the sense of nostalgia of your Diablo addiction days and appeal to everyone from the casual 'coffee break' gamer to the hardcore 'power gamers'. It is often said that 'You have to start somewhere' and I'm happy to say that Meridian-4/Rebelmind has gotten off to a great start with the release of Space Hack. I look forward to their next title.
6.0
fun score
No Pros and Cons at this time
