Ghen War
| Ghen War | |
|---|---|
|
Japanese box art of Ghen War | |
| Developer(s) | Jumpin' Jack Software[1] |
| Publisher(s) |
Sega (North America)[2] Virgin Interactive (everywhere else)[2] |
| Designer(s) | Robert Leyland |
| Artist(s) | Jenny Martin |
| Composer(s) | Brian Coburn |
| Platform(s) | Saturn[1] |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter[1] |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Ghen War (ゲン ウォー) is a first-person shooter video game for the Sega Saturn console. It was developed by Jumpin' Jack Software and published by Sega in 1995. The game centers around a member of a mining crew, with an artificial powered exoskeleton resembling a power-loader.[1] The crew, specifically the protagonist, must fight off a once-friendly alien race known as the Ghen, who suddenly turn on the humans.[1]
Story
The game takes place in the future, years after an armada of aliens known as the Ghen made contact with human beings. The Ghen are seeking refuge from an inter-galactic war with a super race known as the Bo-Kyat.
In exchange for their aid, human beings were given major advancements in science and technology, including a device that makes them immune to all disease. The Ghen also assist humans in locating materials on other planets through the creation of the Sunstar Solar Exploration Station.
The exploration team, composed of humans led by a man named Jenners, and Ghen led by Commander Xylan, is harvesting minerals on Titan when the story begins. For reasons unknown, Xylan orders his Ghen to enter their spacecraft and take off. Boxhead, a human scientist, informs Jenner that there is "stronium" activity (a presumably fictional material, not to be confused with strontium) nearby. After hearing that the Ghen have left, Jenner orders everyone back to the ship, including the 'Lieutenant' (the protagonist), in his exoskeleton.
The human team (including their pilot Gina and wise-cracking Akira) take off in their own ship, the Da Vinci, and try to make contact with the Sunstar station. The Ghen attack and destroy the station before turning their attention to the human ship. The humans manage to escape but soon begin a mission of disabling Ghen stronium reactors and thwarting their attacks, with the help of the Lieutenant and his exoskeleton.
Gameplay
Ghen War is a 3D first-person shooter that takes place from within a powered loader, equipped with various tools / weapons which it uses to fight off the Ghen. Most of the games information and HUD are displayed along the roll-bar of the hyper-suit.
The game features 20 levels in six different locations, including Venus, Mars, Deimos, and the moon. There are also two locations on Earth: Australia and NORAD.
Among its guns and missiles, the hyper-suit has unique features such as a claw-manipulator and the ability to cast a decoy suit, which attracts enemy attention.
Ghen War featured an early example of deformable terrain. Firing your weapons into a mountain would cause the mountain to wear away, much like explosions would cause craters and other similar effects.
Audio and Visuals
The story of Ghen War is told through a series of cut-scenes, done mostly in full motion video.
The soundtrack of the game was written by Brian Coburn, and it changes dynamically to meet the action taking place within the level.[3]
Reception
The game received a 4.87 out of 10 from Electronic Gaming Monthly.[4] Game Revolution gave it a C+.[5]