INFESTATION
2001
Infestation is a vehicle-based combat and exploration game with a large emphasis on diverse gameplay. The single player game features a mission-based campaign where the player is able to freely travel between twenty two different worlds, researching new weapons and vehicle modes as they progress.
The multiplayer mode features four completely different game styles, including racing and football.
Features:
- Five vehicle modes - switch between a range of vehicles to solve different mission problems
- Twenty two worlds - each very different, and with varied puzzles to solve to dispose of the alien infestation
- Research alien technology - use your scientists to acquire alien knowledge and devices
- Varied devastating weapons - try attaching limpet mines to alien craft as they return to their base
- Many multi-player games in one - football, racing, capture the flag, and 'buggy madness'
Reviews
Infestation turns out to be something of a Russian Doll. Revealing layer after layer, it ultimately proves to be as blessed with curiosities, subtleties and idiosyncrasies as the very best Nintendo games.
Alien-bashing activities have rarely been brought to the PC with such subtlety.
87% - PC Format review
Infestation oozes style.
8/10 - The Times
It's a well designed sci-fi driving experience with a decent degree of challenge and enough instant thrills and eye candy to satisfy your action requirements. But it's the winning gameplay which is its best quality and it will certainly appeal to action and driving fans looking for something more cerebral. Nice multiplayer options, too. A winner.
Four stars - Recommended award
- PC Gaming World review
(see also the affiliated Gamespot review)
Superb multiplayer options are the icing on the cake.
8/10 - PC Gameplay
Throwing vehicles over across the acutely curved hills and valleys of Infestation is a joy.
7/10 - Edge
The second demo I grabbed was Infestation by Frontier Developments. Get this: The game plays like mixture of Moon Patrol, Pac Man, and Twisted Metal, with tech-tree concepts built in for good measure. I played it and played it and played it, it was simple to learn and easy to get in to. You've got this attack buggy which can (through upgrades) gain other forms you can switch to at will, you have these little scientists that you can use to examine stuff and get bright ideas (which can be turned later into real weapons and abilities), and you're always collecting these valuable dots which can be used to improve specific features of your craft. There's a host of uncommon multiplayer modes as well (like football and racing), but I have not yet had a chance to sample their richness. I would recommend this game to anybody who likes it when stuff moves around on their screen.
Tycho of Penny Arcade
The whoops of exultation and cries of despair whilst Edge competed in the football discipline were evidence enough of the game's enjoyment. Tackling, scoring low goals for one point and high goals for two were all joyously addictive. Team tactics even begin to emerge after the initial playground everyone-follow-the-ball mentality dies down, allowing co-operation to enter the equation.
Edge (preview)
Infestation will not fit neatly into to any given category.
Edge (preview)