@Microcosm       Psygnosis        £45@

This game is supposedly Commodores flagship game, but has only just
arrived on the scene.........

This is it, the one you have all been waiting for, but is it worth the
attention that it will undoubtably get???
Well, the answer is yes and no.  Yes for the gorgeous graphics,
animation and sound but no for gameplay.  The old problem of good looks,
but nothing under the surface is painfully apparant.

The object of the game is to fly around the bodies internals killing all
the nasties that you encounter....  That is it.... Great Plot!!

The game opens with a very impressive animation, which will be
unrivalled on any other platform.  It sets the scene perfectly, showing
you how it is exactly that you managed to get injected into your poor
victims body.  It lasts a good five minutes, and you will want to watch
it everytime that you run the game, guaranteed.  In fact, if you have
ever got into arguments with PC and console owners over which platform
is the best, show them this.  It will stop them in their tracks.
That is of course, if you don't let them see too much of the game!
because all the graphics in the world cannot make up for a game with no
variation.

When you start the game, you are given the option of going to various
parts of the body such as the skeleton, lungs and brain, and if you
manage to blast your way through a complete section, you meet an extra
large end of level nasty, which is always very difficult to beat.  If
you do manage this, and only the luckiest players will, you are presented
with a different part of the body which has now become accessible.  This
format is continued throughout the game with the ultimate goal of
destroying the enemy

There are various problems with this game, and they all revolve around
the gameplay.  Firstly, the game is just too hard.  You have three
lives, and when you die, you do not start at the point were you left
off, you are taken all the way back to the options screen, which is
extremely annoying, especially as the levels are all extremely long.
Also, there is no real skill involved.  Basically, you just hold down
fire, and move about madly until everything is destoyed.  If you stay in
one place, and try to aim, you will die very quickly.  This erratic
movement is none to comfortable on the silly CD32 joypad, so you are
very much inclined to just give up, and watch the intro again, whilst
nursing your sore thumb!!!

Next, the matter of price....  Although I am sure that a lot of money as
been spent on this game, it is just too expensive.  We are constantly
being told that CD software should be cheaper because of the reduced
problem of playground piracy, and for certain, this game will not be
pirated.  It is just too large.  It's nearest overpriced rival is
Liberation, and that is a full £10 cheaper....

In summarising, if you have the money, definatley get it.  If only for
the sumptuous graphics.  I am sure that when a proper joystick becomes
available for the machine, this game will be given a whole new lease of
life.  If the gameplay had been slightly better, it would have got full
marks, however 4 stars is the most that I feel I can give this game,
which is a pity, because the potential is huge.

Let's just hope that Microcosm 2 fixes these niggles....


                                        CD32Bits Rating    ****