INTRODUCTION
Overhead shoot-'em-ups have quite a heritage in computer games history. Starting with the fiendishly addictive Robotron, a genre was created and continued down the years with the likes of Gauntlet, Commando and Smash TV. The latter title received some press coverage over the amount of blood spilled with each killing and now, with Total Carnage, this tradition continues.
STORYLINE
Out of nowhere came the power-
He has managed to create an army of mutants from radioactive waste produced at his nuclear generator. With his endless supply of disposable creatures and hostages, the General is ready to take on the globe and claim it as his own.
Only two men are brave, strong and simple-
The simple directive is to enter the complex, rescue hostages, disable Akhboob's forces, get inside his stronghold and go after the big man himself.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Violence has always sold games. From the early days of IK+, Barbarian and Moonstone, to the recent Mortal Kombat featuring spinal columns being ripped out of opponents, it's clear that blood-
Total Carnage comes from the makers of Smash TV, a game which included multiple bloody deaths in a glamorised scenario. While the argument rages between software companies and parental/
Total Carnage is not a title to be that concerned about - while the enemy may explode in a shower of blood, there are no screams of pain or burning corpses as found in such titles as Syndicate or Mortal Kombat and the gore is very much in the comical sense, especially with the cartoonised and rough-
FLASHBACK
If you're a shoot-'em-up fan and are after two-player games that pump the adrenaline and pack a challenge, then side-step Total Carnage and go for Chaos Engine, Alien Breed 2 or Llamatron, a PD title by Jeff Minter.
The latter features excellent sampled sound, crude early 80s style graphics, but superior gameplay and with power-ups and heart pumping addictiveness, it's one of the best, cheapest and most absorbing overhead blast fests available for your machine.
SOUND
With this kind of licence, the sound is usually a clash of music, screams and other high pitched, audience-
Surprisingly, Total Carnage is a little restrained in this department - there is no music over the intro and option screens and during the game itself, gunfire and the impact of bullets make up the main bulk of the sound. These admittedly are solid effects and add impact to the gameplay.
Speech is also a welcome inclusion with a voice crying out total carnage as a wealth of mutants waddle on to the screen towards you. Other samples include the hostages who cry for your help, and when retrieved thank you for your time and effort.
Sadly enough, the only women to appear in the game are wearing bikinis with a ball and chain who flatter your ego every time you rescue one of them by proclaiming that you are a hero in a bimbo voice. Equal rights have yet to enter the gaming area.
54%GRAPHICS
The overhead viewing angle is, in most cases, an effective one and Total Carnage is no different. The largest problem with the presentation is that the graphics of the sprites and backdrops simply look worn and crude compared to the likes of Chaos Engine and Alien Breed 2 which were released a few months ago.
The characters' legs have a remarkable perspective where it seems they shrink form the pelvis down into feet that take size 0 shoes. While it is appreciated that the graphic artist was simply trying to achieve a realistic look for the overhead angle, it simply doesn't work.
The animation is fair on the whole with the relatively bloody deaths of mutant soldiers as they explode on meeting a bullet. The scrolling is slow and fixed - when the game wants you to move, you move and if it doesn't, you stay where you are or risk walking face first into a homicidal axe-
Another regular difficulty is moving your way to the top of the screen and having to wait for the slow scrolling to catch up. And like much enhanced software, it's hard to see why this is specifically an A1200 version.
47%OPINION50%
Shoot-'em-ups have become some of the most tired releases in software. With the steady increase of technology and companies opting out of fresh, original and playable ideas to stick firmly with the easy road of licences, customer's wallets are beginning to suffer more and more.
Total Carnage is a typical example of a reasonable conversion of an average coin-op that will sell simply because of the name and hype attached to it. If you enjoyed the original then you'll glean a certain amount of satisfaction from this.
Indeed, the proceedings can be relatively involving, especially in two-player mode, and with 20 battle zones to wage war through, there is certainly a hefty challenge to be met. The numerous power-ups for weaponry and air strikes also add incentive to see how much damage you can cause in the shortest amount of time.
At the end of a wage-
The action, while constant, is never really adrenalin pumping and has more in common with a hard slog with the Fire button than exciting and spontaneous play.
The graphics also detract appeal from the overall package, leaving Total Carnage with averageness as its main quality, and consumers with a dry and tepid emptiness in their wallets.