Space Station Silicon Valley
| Space Station Silicon Valley | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | DMA Design |
| Publisher(s) | Take-Two Interactive |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Game Boy Color |
| Release date(s) | Nintendo 64 October 1, 1998 Game Boy Color[1] 'PlayStation[2] |
| Genre(s) | 3D Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E (Everyone) |
| Media/distribution | 64-megabit |
Space Station Silicon Valley is a platform game released in October 1998 by Scottish developer DMA Design (now known as Rockstar North, creator of the Grand Theft Auto series). It was initially released for the Nintendo 64, and later ported into two Europe exclusive versions, first for the PlayStation under the title of Evo's Space Adventures in 1999, and later that year for the Game Boy Color. Several glitches were present within the game, but this did not prevent it from attaining considerable critical acclaim.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Storyline
The game's storyline revolves around a space station, home to numerous animals (the station was intended by the designer to be a "technologically advanced amusement park"), which was launched and, seven minutes into the launch, subsequently lost in the year 2001. Thought to have disappeared forever, it reappears in the year 3000, and its designer, Professor Cheese, mysteriously vanishes upon an excursion to the station. Following this, a duo of "Heroes for Hire", namely Danger Dan and his robotic partner, Evo, a perfect, "super-intelligent, self-evolving robot", and the end result of the Silicon Valley experiment. Danger Dan and Evo are dispatched to the station in order to investigate this disappearance. They arrive to find that over 1000 years, the animal cargo had evolved and merged with technology; examples including an electronically powered fox with motorized wheels and a steam-powered hippopotamus. Throughout the course of the game, the space station is on a collision course with Earth, and it is the player's mission to save all of humanity. At the end of the game, Evo arrives at the control room in the center of the station. He confronts the Evil Brain, who, after watching Evo on his adventure through the station, is fascinated by Evo's abilities and wants to keep Evo to complete his collection of robotic animals. The Brain is interested in Evo because he believes that Evo's powers can lead him to domination of the galaxy. He claims that "with your body and my mind, we can rule the stars" The Brain is also threatening to fire his "Doomsday-o-Matic shrinkray" at the earth. Evo easily defeats the Brain with his laser-vision, but is unable to stop the Space Station from spinning out of control. The station finally collides with earth, landing in New York Harbor. In the process, all of the robotic animals escape from the station. Evo (now fully constructed) must run around New York City, searching out and terminating all of the animals before they terrorize or take over the planet.
[edit] Gameplay
The player controls Evo, a robot reduced to a crawling microchip during a crash into the titular station caused by a fight over radio stations. Without protection, Evo loses energy at a steady rate. To survive, Evo must enter the bodies of animals (who each possess their own abilities) and use them to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in each level, collecting Evo's "purple power cells" along the way. As this progresses, Dan is trapped in the team's destroyed spaceship assigning Evo his missions and occasionally commenting.
While progressing through the four distinct sections of the space station — Euro-Eden, Arctic Kingdom, Jungle Safari, and Desert Adventure — the player collects the scattered remains of Evo's protective shell suit, eventually re-assembling him for the final level.
[edit] Critical reception
Space Station Silicon Valley was largely well received due to its intuitive mechanics, innovative level design, and comical concepts, obtaining a cumulative score of 83 on Metacritic.[4]
[edit] Bugs and glitches
The game has been known to freeze up, but it is a rare occurrence. Freezes are more common when using the Expansion Pak. In some cases it is impossible to get past the first few start up screens if the Expansion Pak is present.
In some levels, the player may be able to pass through walls if hit at the right angle. This is more common in "Stinky Sewers", where the walls can be unstable. In places, the player may even pass through walls to the outside of the level which can result in the player dying instantly.
A further bug prevents the player from collecting all of the souvenirs in the game. Since this bug occurs, it is impossible for the player to complete the game and witness its proper ending. Collecting all of the souvenirs also unlocks a secret bonus level. This cannot be accessed normally because of the bug. However, it can be reached by entering a code at the level selection screen.
[edit] In media
- Scenes from this game are featured in the music video for Mouse On Mars' song "Twift Shoeblade". [2]
- The 'victory theme' heard after completing a level can be heard occasionally on one of the radio stations in DMA's 1999 game, Grand Theft Auto 2.
[edit] References
- ^ "An N64 sleeper comes to the Game Boy Color, but only in Europe. Here's our full review. by Tim Jones - Game Review". IGN. http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/162/162324p1.html. Retrieved 2000-06-20.
December 30, 1999 - ^ "Evo's Space Adventures - Release Summary". GameStats. http://www.gamestats.com/objects/016/016059/. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
October 10, 1999 - ^ [1] IGN.com review, "DMA Design and Take 2 bring hovering sheep home to Nintendo 64 in good form." by Matt Casamassina
- ^ "Space Station: Silicon Valley - Release Summary". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/n64/spacestationsiliconvalley?q=space%20station%20silicon%20valley. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
