MoleZ
Preamble: This isn't a review. It doesn't contain critical analysis, just the subjective opinions of one person. The intent is to remember the games I've come across in my life and share the nostalgia, nothing more. And some of those games I didn't play in great depth.
Today we take a brief look at a small game that didn't change the world, but provided some chaotic multiplayer fun in days gone by. This game was a massive hit in Finland, and apparently started a huge movement of side-on underground realtime-Worms-esque games.
Game: MoleZ
Developer: Fractile Games
Platform: PC
Release Year: 1997
Basic Plot
None.
Gameplay
MoleZ is essentially a realtime version of Worms. Instead of taking turns, players engage in battle in real time. Maps usually start out covered in dirt, and the player needs to burrow to find the enemy and engage them with a series of weapons (very similar to Worms).
MoleZ could be played by up to four players on the same computer.
MoleZ is similar to its successor Liero.
Each mole started with a variety of weaponry from basic shovels, right through to nuclear grenades.
The strategy of this game was a lot about positioning. If you dug straight toward an oppoent you would simply bring yourself within range of their weapons, so you wanted to try and keep dirt between you and your opponent until you were ready to attack.
Here you can see a game, caverns which the players burrow out from the earth to engage each other. A lot of the game is about approaching your enemy without getting hit first.
Positives
This was a fun and light game to play and was something I played a fair bit of with a friend of mine at university. I had a very old computer, and could only play low spec games, and this was suitable for that purpose. The game is fun and social.
Negatives
Two players on one computer is annoying as heck, it would be nice if there was network multiplayer support.
Memorable Moments
I played this quite a bit at university (2002-2004) when I was stuck with an old computer with a loud fan. We played two players on the same keyboard, I cannot imagine how impossible/insane it would be having four players on a single keyboard!
Did anyone else out there play this game? Tomorrow we'll be looking at the RTS game "Supreme Commander".