The Chaos Engine

This is another edition for the "Under the Radar Video" series but also one of my favorites in the maze shooter subgenre for the "Run and Gun" genre and games for the "Genesis". This game isn't exactly underrated, it was a hit on the PC and even on home consoles; but as time went on it's become slightly forgotten. I remember renting this game out for my "Genesis" at "Mike's Video Store" in Yakima, WA while I was visiting my aunt in the 90's; so, you can see part of why this is one of my favorites in the subgenre as there is a sentimental fondness it holds for me.

The game as you see is a maze shooter which is part of why I really like it as maze's are my favorite kind of puzzle, but mainly just the fact that the maze shooter subgenre is one that is rarely touched upon as there really aren't that many that I know of for the "Genesis" at least. Sidenote there are only two I know of for the console "Granada", "Zombies ate My Neighbors", and "True Lies" all also "Under the radar" gems and games I reviewed, "True Lies" though is a story for another time. This game is still one of the best of its kind in my book.

The game is in the same vein as other maze shooters/action games like "Gauntlet" not exactly anything new, but everything done right. I really like the graphical presentation, each of the mazes are so well detailed and they're not just flat there's a bit of three dimension to them as there are stairways that make you go up a floor along. Really like how there is this strange gritty action sci-fi atmosphere the game has. Each of the mazes is different and has a different kind of theme which of course means different challenges. It's true that this game doesn't really have any boss battles, but they're not needed as it's the mazes that are the true challenge due to how their formatted but also in the enemy placement; so you can kind of say the mazes are the true stars of the game. Even like the music which is good as it has an upbeat action vibe to it, really like the Amiga track which in my book is the best version of the music, which I recommend is worth a listen.

There are a few things that make this game truly unique from most other maze shooters at the time.

You have six characters to choose from, each of them has strengths and weaknesses as one of the characters like "The Thug" has a powerful shotgun blast but limited range or even "The Mercenary" armed with a machine gun that can discharge many bullets quickly but lack stopping power. So, pick your character/s carefully as you're going to use them throughout your entire run.

Also, as you choose one character you have a co-op function, from the cpu which was something different at the time as you automatically have someone watching your back. Or simply the old-fashioned way of having another player. Either way it really does help to have a number two as you venture further the stakes and odds get higher but also for certain unexpected surprises that can pop out.

The game has an RPG function which almost predates "Diablo", "Baldur's Gate 1 and 2" and others which utilized the same function. Every one of your kills you of course collect some dough or even find plenty in areas hidden and unhidden. And with this dough after going through two levels in each world you're able to shop to level up your character and of your you must decide as to which feature you want to strength to prepare your character for the next go around.

And of course, this game is on the medium difficulty so it's fair, it's of course not that easy there are things that help in raising the stakes. From the fact I stated about shopping to level up but also as you get further in the game the game does get tricker as there are new kinds of enemies that vary in strength and ability. There is enemy placement which means possibilities of an ambush. Also, in the game if you lose all your lives, you must start all over to the first level in the world your in. This little difficulty is expected as the game is rather short as there are only a few worlds you venture, but still if you want to venture on in one piece it's all or nothing, make your next plays your best.

The last thing that makes it unique is in its setting which is awesome and of course was all written by one of my favorite sci-fi writers "William Gibson". It' s this steampunk/alternate world as the game takes place in an alternate 19th century. This too is cool as there really aren't many games that do steampunk sci-fi, I personally find it a fascinating setting as it opens plenty of possibilities. It's also too bad that this game never became a Role-Playing Game series as the setting and plotline of the game really feel like it would be at home in the RPG world. If this happened the world in the game could have been elaborated and explored, along with the characters and having may've some new ones if more volumes are made.

Oh well, I'm just glad this game exists at all, "The Chaos Engine" is a classic on target.

Rating: 3 and a half stars.