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Machines (video game)
Encyclopedia
Machines is a 3D real-time strategy
game released for Microsoft Windows
. Published by Acclaim
and developed by Charybdis, Machines was one of the first 3D games of this genre. It was also allowed players to directly control units with both a first and third-person view.
50 different machines can be researched and built, characterized by a plasma-based techtree and a projectile-based techtree combined with different methods of movement (Examples: 4 or 6 Spider legs, Wheels, Tracks, Hover-engines, Flying, 2 Legs). Furthermore, battalions can be developed with specific strengths to support a personalized fighting strategy. The game also includes 25 different weapons, including Flame-throwers, Vortex Singularities, Plasma Rifles, Mini-guns, Ion Cannons and Nukes.
Sabotage and espionage missions allow units to deposit mines inside enemy buildings, steal research, and pass back vital information.
Machines is multiplayer over a LAN
or the internet.
awarded the game 6.5 out of 10, praising the impressive graphics and camera modes but highlighting the poor unit pathfinding and unoriginal gameplay.
GameMonkeys gave it 4 out of 5, saying that the game had "great graphics, and totally in-depth gameplay".
IGN
awarded the game 7.2 out of 10, with the reviewer opining, "I'm sold on the different views in the game. That alone makes it stand out enough to be noticed. In addition to that however, Machines is a pretty solid strategy game."
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
game released for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. Published by Acclaim
Acclaim Entertainment
Acclaim Entertainment was an American video game developer and publisher. It developed, published, marketed and distributed interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms, including Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast, and Game Gear, Nintendo's NES, SNES, Nintendo...
and developed by Charybdis, Machines was one of the first 3D games of this genre. It was also allowed players to directly control units with both a first and third-person view.
Gameplay
Machines uses a 3D polygonal landscape, which players can use to their advantage, attacking from or hiding behind hilltops. The viewpoint can be switched between a default isometric, strategic 'zenith' camera, and first person perspective; the latter typically being used to explore buildings during espionage missions.50 different machines can be researched and built, characterized by a plasma-based techtree and a projectile-based techtree combined with different methods of movement (Examples: 4 or 6 Spider legs, Wheels, Tracks, Hover-engines, Flying, 2 Legs). Furthermore, battalions can be developed with specific strengths to support a personalized fighting strategy. The game also includes 25 different weapons, including Flame-throwers, Vortex Singularities, Plasma Rifles, Mini-guns, Ion Cannons and Nukes.
Sabotage and espionage missions allow units to deposit mines inside enemy buildings, steal research, and pass back vital information.
Machines is multiplayer over a LAN
Län
Län and lääni refer to the administrative divisions used in Sweden and previously in Finland. The provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010....
or the internet.
Reception
GameSpotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
awarded the game 6.5 out of 10, praising the impressive graphics and camera modes but highlighting the poor unit pathfinding and unoriginal gameplay.
GameMonkeys gave it 4 out of 5, saying that the game had "great graphics, and totally in-depth gameplay".
IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
awarded the game 7.2 out of 10, with the reviewer opining, "I'm sold on the different views in the game. That alone makes it stand out enough to be noticed. In addition to that however, Machines is a pretty solid strategy game."
External links
- Machines The Game - the original support site, developed by the creators of the game
- FanPage - unofficial Machines community