| Critical Depth | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | SingleTrac |
| Publisher(s) | GT Interactive |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Car combat |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T |
| Media/distribution | CD-ROM |
Critical Depth is a vehicular combat game made for the PlayStation, developed by the game studio SingleTrac and published by GT Interactive. It was released on November 22, 1997.
Contents |
Critical Depth is based on concept and engine of SingleTrac's original Twisted Metal hit game series. The game is basically a demolition derby which permits the usage of ballistic projectiles, only the combat takes place underwater and the vehicles are typically submarines of some sort. Players choose a vehicle and an arena—or a series of arenas in the story mode—to engage in battle with opposing drivers. A variety of weapons and upgrades are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage. The goal on an arena is to retrieve all five pods, which are scattered throughout the level, and find the escape gateway. Each pod gives its holder an extra power.
The game features three modes of play: a mission/story mode, where the player (or two players cooperatively) can battle through eleven levels; a battle mode, where the player captures pods in a selectable level; and deathmatch, where the player battles against the computer or another human in a split-screen mode.
The story is based on the disappearance of undersea explorer Douglas McKragen and the discovery of five mysterious and powerful alien pod-shaped objects. Twelve different factions enter the sea to find out more about these forces and uncover their mystery, each for its own reasons. Each faction battles several competitors in order to retrieve the pods.
The playable ships are divided into factions, one of which the player must align with at the beginning of the game. Once he does, a mix of the eleven other ships will constantly stand in his way. Four additional characters can be unlocked by reaching certain goals in the game.
Pursuit: To power a machine capable of eliminating the entire human population so he and his mistress may initiate an era of a "superior breed" of humans. His demeanor seems similar to Hitler. Sub Type: Submarine appears to be based on a scorpion, with the exception of a tail. It features a grappling hook that will attach to enemy subs and drag them toward two clamping arms.
Pursuit: Gaining vengeance on the industrialized world which has exploited Venganza, a fictional island, for petroleum and other resources for years. The name "Venganza" is a play on the word "vengeance." Sub Type: A makeshift submarine made from the remnants of industrial waste. Its main weapon is a flurry of spiked metal balls called the "Fragmentor."
Pursuit: To keep the energy pods, as well as the multitude of UFO conspiracies, a secret. Sub Type: As the name implies, the sub is based on a manta ray. Main weapon is a "Plama Disruptor," an electromagnetic flare.
Pursuit: To usher in a new era of communism. Sub Type: Very ordinary, although quite heavy and slow. Main weapon is a ramming feature.
Pursuit: To capture the pods and place them in a museum. Sub Type: Appears to be based on a swordfish, with an over-sized propeller. Main weapon is a flurry of "liquid fireballs."
Pursuit: To protect the pods from exploitation by industrialists. Sub Type: A large, mechanical dolphin, powered by a "technoflipper". Main weapon is a homing torpedo which looks like a mechanical dolphin.
Pursuit: Captain Cutlass is in the pod hunt to "look for a good fight." Sub Type: This submersible appears to be a pirate ship, or rather a wooden U-Boat. The main weapon are two cannons.
Pursuit: To exploit the pods as an energy source. Sub type: Resembles a jet plane. Main weapon is C.A.S.H. (Capital Accumlating Super Hydrobeam) which steals weapons from other subs.
Pursuit: To add to his own collection, intending to surpass his former mentor Professor Armstrong. Sub Type: A quick-moving mechanical shark. Main weapon is the Jaws Of Death which latch on to a opponent and shakes it violently.
Pursuit: To capture the pods because "everyone else wants 'em." Sub type: A small propelling device which Joe merely holds onto. Main weapon is a Psycho Disc which disorients other subs.
Pursuit: To awaken the sacred "Zornad." Sub Type: Submersible appears to be a golden starfish whose method of propulsion is gyration; this makes the sub ideal for quick turns. Main weapon is a mystical electrical arc generated by a green crystal on the sub.
Pursuit: To gain respect in the scientific community. Sub Type: A standard exploratory submersible. The claws spin to create a vortex to draw in any sub in the vicinity.
Pursuit: To gain enough power for a mind-control device that will be used to enslave the world. Sub type: Bulky, green sub similar to the Stalingrad (also built by Titan). Main weapons are a school of skeletal piranhas and red laser beam far-range, homing ram at close-range.
Pursuit: To prevent Dr. A. Pocalypse from annihilating humanity Sub type: Resembles a red sports car. Main weapon is an electric blast much like the Manta.
Pursuit: Programmed by Dr. Pocalypse to collect the pods, and will fight off anyone and anything, even Pocalypse to get them. Sub type: Submersible is trident-shaped. Main weapon is a series of small homing exploding harpoons.
Pursuit: To keep the "primates" from capturing the pods. Sub type: Pod-shaped with spider-like legs. Main weapon is a green electrical shot similar to that of the Ohm's.
The reviews are rather mixed from critics. The rankings are 61% to 70%.