Cybermorph

Cybermorph

Developer(s) Attention to Detail
Publisher(s) Atari Corporation
Platform(s) Atari Jaguar
Release date(s)
Genre(s) 3D shooter
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution 1-2 MB cartridge

Cybermorph is a free-roaming 3D shooter game developed by Attention to Detail for the Atari Jaguar. The cartridge was included as the pack-in game for the console when it launched on November 23, 1993.[1] Two versions of the game were released with minor differences. The earlier version (copyright 1993 on the label) is a two-megabyte (MB) cartridge. The later version (copyright 1994 on the label) is a one-MB cartridge which excludes introduction and ending animation sequences and has fewer voice samples.[2]

The game is believed to have been originally developed for the Atari Panther system, and ported to the Jaguar when the Panther project was canceled.[3]

Gameplay

The game is a 3D shooter, with the player piloting a space ship from a third person perspective. There are five levels, each with several planets for the player to explore, with a boss at the end of each level. The player's objective is to recapture lost pods spread out across the different worlds. The player is accompanied on their adventure by a green female computer guide named Skylar.

Reception

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave Cybermorph a 5 out of 10. They commented that the graphics are moderately impressive but criticized the lack of music, the annoying computer voice, and most especially the dull nature of the gameplay.[4] GamePro gave it a mixed review, citing an intriguing gameplay concept but repetitive action, blocky and untextured graphics, and "a deterring level of challenge".[5] Cybermorph was reviewed in the March/April 1994 issue of Game Informer by Andy McNamara (The Game Hombre), Paul Anderson (The Pro Player), and Ross van der Schaegen (The Rebel Gamer). Each of their scores averaged the game to an 8.5/10.[6] Edge gave the game a score of 8 out of 10.[7] The title received a "Game Of the Month" award from Gamefan[8] and received a sequel, Battlemorph, on the Atari Jaguar CD system.

Despite this, WatchMojo.com put this game as #2 on the Top 10 Worst Launch Titles and described Skylar as "a green bald-headed female computer that simply won't stop repeating the same thing over and over".[9]

Re-release

A follow-up was released in 2008 for the Jaguar CD that included rare behind-the-scenes footage of producers and art team of the title. Only 10 were made and distributed through wearejaguar.com, each of them signed by the original ATD (Attention to Detail) team. Further releases may be made available though the aforementioned site as contributed by ATD.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Atari Ships Jaguar for New York and San Francisco Markets; World's First 64-Bit Interactive Multimedia Home Entertainment System Available". PR Newswire. 23 November 1993. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  2. ↑ Cybermorph at MobyGames
  3. ↑ The Atari-Panther Story
  4. ↑ "Cybermorph Review". Electronic Gaming Monthly (55) (EGM Media, LLC). February 1994. p. 42.
  5. ↑ "CyberMorph". GamePro (54) (IDG). January 1994. p. 22.
  6. ↑ Game Informer Review March/April 1994
  7. ↑ Edge staff (1994). "Cybermorph". Edge (4).
  8. ↑ Atari Explorer Online, Vol. 3 Issue 1
  9. ↑ Top 10 Worst Video Game Launch Titles

External links