Not content with finally getting the classic Build engine Blood back to the digital storefront (Please switch ports!), as well as the first two sides Turoks, Doom 64, Quake and A secret manNightdive Studios finally has an Ancient Egypt FPS Powerslave (known in the United Kingdom as Excavation) out of its coffin and re-released it as the perfect name Powerslave Exhumedhas finally given modern gamers a chance to enjoy this huge little gem of the game.
Unusually, this is an explosive shooter best known for its home console versions rather than an almost entirely different PC title. Home computer players had to come up with a much less exciting, much more linear game. Annoyingly, however, while both the Saturn (1996) and PlayStation (1997) versions offer a much more premium title, they both have something to offer in other level designs. their each other. Amazingly, Nightdive has combined the stage layouts of both games to separate the wheat from the husks and deliver the best possible version of the game.
And, well, they have. And that’s right. This is Powerslave in a way we never thought we’d see it: complete, blameless, even more polished. Every last nook and cranny is here, in higher resolution than ever before. All the expected Nightdive options are here; menus on menus allow you to customize basically every aspect of input, gameplay, and visuals. However, even if you don’t, you will find everything laid out perfectly. Even on loose Switch sticks, the game feels great, and the inclusion of a gyroscope aim (yes!) goes a long way toward minimizing some issues with early game.
Problem, you say? Real. Now, keeping in mind that it’s easier than ever to tackle this, we won’t let you know that you’ll mostly be fighting scorpions and spiders during your first few hours with Powerslave. That’s fine, sure, but it can be frantic to aim attacks at these little terrors as they rush towards you. In fact – whisper it – there are nuances of Daikatana (gulp!) on the scale of these battles.
Don’t worry, though, everything starts almost immediately. Since it was made for consoles, this game has a number of systems that have been simplified compared to what you might expect of a shooter. This is not a bad thing. Ammo is transferred to green mana and simply goes to the gun you currently have selected. No more bullet? No abilities, but you’ve got a sword handy to turn around and you’re pretty maneuverable even without any power.
It’s correct! You see, Powerslave Exhumed is a Metroidvania, of sorts. ONE Metroid Prime before Metroid Prime. While it has discrete stages that you choose from a pretty world map, you’ll need to revisit them over and over again as you gather new abilities like high jump and side flight, or love skills. situations such as breathing underwater or walking on dangerous terrain. All will be drastically necessary because complete secrecy abounds in this open Egypt, from ordinary keys and doors (don’t be surprised, it’s an explosive shooter) to hidden radio transmitters amazingly detailed and even more esoteric, “The Doll Team.” Don’t reveal too much about it. other things.
Of course, it doesn’t matter if the footage sucks, so thanks to Anubis because it’s truly amazing. Weapons aren’t just your generic arsenal, they’re good and fun. Besides the regular pistol and machine gun, you also get hand grenades (extremely useful for bomb jumping), flamethrowers and various artifacts that allow you to cast different spells like laser hand shooting and gun shooting. It’s all a blast, pun intended, and it’s fun to take down your opponents as you puzzle the game.
As mentioned, it’s a great port from Nightdive. We didn’t experience overload or slowness, and the game looked great, much better than the original console versions while remaining absolutely faithful to their aesthetic and gameplay feel. It’s a great presentation of a game that’s always visually impressive, if a bit familiar when compared to games like Hexen.
Inference
Honestly, it’s tempting to give Powerslave a 10 just because available again, but not. That, of course, would be naughty. However, this is where it’s supposed to be – a gorgeous, stunning remake that captures the essence of what made it so great all this time while bringing out the best in both. two separate versions of Saturn and PlayStation. For such a prototype of Metroid Prime, it’s alarming and impressive how much confidence Powerslave Exhumed exudes in its design, making it the best classic game of its kind – it is even better today with full knowledge of how it truly was ahead of its time. An easy recommendation for FPS fans of any classic game, Powerslave Exhumed will keep you playing and playing, finding those ultimate fun secrets.
