Obsidian (1986 video game)
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| Obsidian | |
|---|---|
 Artic Computing magazine advert with Obsidian's artwork as the main image | |
| Developer(s) | Tony Warriner |
| Publisher(s) | Artic Computing |
| Platform(s) | Amstrad CPC |
| Genre(s) | Action adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Obsidian is an action adventure computer game for the Amstrad CPC personal computer. It was written by Tony Warriner and published by Artic Computing in 1986. The game is set on the titular space station located within the centre of an asteroid, which is out of control and heading for a black hole. The player must guide an astronaut around the station and re-activate its engine shields to prevent the Obsidian's destruction.
The game received praised from reviewers for its graphics, reviewers held mixed views on the game's ability to maintain player interest.
Gameplay
Players control a jet pack wearing astronaut who must deactivate the five engines of the titular spacestation Obsidian. The Obsidian is located in the hollow centre carved out of an asteroid.[1] The game is an action adventure presented in two dimensions, with locations contrasting between spaceship interior and rock surfaces. Objects stored in boxes on the ship's ceilings contain objects which can be used to access doors and perform other tasks. only one object can be held at a time.[2][3]
The game world is filled with traps, laser defence mechanisms and security robots, all of which kill the atronaut on contact, resulting in the loss of one of his five lives. These defences must be shut down in order to progress, the player has no weapon to attack the robots with.[3] The jet pack enables the astronaut to travel more quickly, but has a limited supply of fuel, called nitro in-game, should this fuel run out then the astronaut will lose a life. The spaceship contains points at which the jet pack can be refuelled.[2]
Plot
The crew of the Obsidian, a space station nestled within the centre of an asteroid, have temporarily abandoned the vessel in order to allow it to pass through a black hole. The Obsidian's internal systems are capable of withstanding the black hole, but the station cannot shield its human inhabitants from the gravitational forces. The crew have taken refuge in a smaller craft which has been shielded, intending to return to the Obsidian when both vessels have passed through the black hole.[3] A radiation storm has damaged the Obsidian's engine protection systems and erased its flight path, leaving the ship drifting into the black hole without defenses. One of the crew is 'volunteered' to return to the Obsidian and prepare it to pass through the black hole, this is the game's player character. The astronaut is forced to contend with the Obsidian's re-activated security system which has resulted in security robots being deployed, the space station's internal doors sealing and defensive laser grids becoming active.[1]
Reception
The reviewer for Amtix! magazine awarded the game a score of 64%, calling it "..an average, if rather simple, arcade adventure."[1] The same reviewer stated that Obsidian's graphics are its most striking feature. The lack of enemies and objects to manipulate in some screens and low number of sound effects received were criticized. The reviewer for Amstrad Action, Bob Wade, awarded the game a score of 81% and a 'A A Rave' award, praising the game's graphics and animations. He listed the game's robotics enemies as "annoying as you flick between screens".[2] The reviewers differed in opinion on how the game progressed. Wade stated "..as the playing area opens up it soon becomes clear that many objects will be required to complete the game and that some hard thinking as well as trial and error will be needed." Amtix!'s reviewer stated "The trouble was that it became all very predictable and easy to solve once a few puzzles had been solved."[1]
The game was reviewed again in Amtix! by Massimo Valducci, several months later when Obsidian was re-released on the budget label Americana. Valducci stated it had been one of his favourite titles when it was originally released, stating "Everyone should have this game in their software collection."[3] He praised the game for adding a twist to the maze theme by disallowing the player from fighting back against threats. He added "..a lot of thought and planning is needed to make your way around the various sections, deactivating the security systems as you go."[3]
References
- ^ a b c d "Reviews - Obsidian". Amtix! (5). Newsfield Publications: 14. March 1986.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c Wade, Bob (January 1986). "Action Test - Obsidian". Amstrad Action (4). Future Publishing: 56.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c d e Valducci, Massimo (January 1987). "Reviews - Budget - Obsidian". Amtix! (15). Newsfield Publications: 130.
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