I ruffled some feathers earlier this week when I underestimated the nostalgia people had for Star Wars Episode 1: Racer. The repudiation of my assumptions continues with this paean to the Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace game published by The RetroBeat. Their argument is worthy of Criterion Collection liner notes:
Look, I’m not trying to suggest that the Episode I game is some massive hidden gem. It has not held up as well as other Star Wars games from that era, such as Episode I: Racer and Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. It also has some glaring problems, such as an awkward camera angle that is positioned far too high above your character and some lazy voice-acting.
But The Phantom Menace also has a lot of merit. It’s a snapshot of a much different time in the history of licensed video games, when developers were struggling to make 3D experiences that felt like true interactive versions of the moves they were based on. Eventually, this practice became much too expensive and difficult to create with a release date guaranteed to coincide with the release of a film, so now we see movies flock to the mobile space for their licensed games.
You know what, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut this time. Except to say this: If Masters of Teräs Käsi gets some sort of lionizing reappraisal next, a straitjacket's getting appended to my wardrobe rack.
Source: The RetroBeat
Threepwood4life
It was developed by Big Ape Prroductions, they also made Hercs Adventures and later went on to make that horrible Simpsons Wrestling game on the Playstation
Herc's Adventures! Now there's a game that truly could use some love. The secret third installment of the Zombies Ate My Neighbors series.
Scummbuddy
But The Phantom Menace also has a lot of merit. It’s a snapshot of a much different time in the history of licensed video games...
Wasn't this game developed in-house??
And I appreciate the mojo-snark.
It was developed by Big Ape Prroductions, they also made Hercs Adventures and later went on to make that horrible Simpsons Wrestling game on the Playstation
But The Phantom Menace also has a lot of merit. It’s a snapshot of a much different time in the history of licensed video games...
Wasn't this game developed in-house??
And I appreciate the mojo-snark.