DESCRIPTION

They're back and they're more deadly than ever! Five years ago, human colonists and settlers on several worlds were besieged by an infestation of Xenomes — bugs, slugs, worms and worse. It began with military outposts, commercial mining outfits, and scientific expeditions in the far reaches of unexplored territory.

As time passed, closer settlements on established colonies in planetary systems like Luyten, Sirius and Procyon were destroyed, with the human inhabitants either killed or forced into captive breeding. Thousands of settlements in the Cygnus star cluster met gruesome fates; Guyute, Lalande and Pegasi fell victim as well. The invasion of the creatures was (and still is) relentless!

And, now, scientists are astonished to discover that each new wave of Xenomes seems to be genetically enhanced. The infestation has to be stopped before all of mankind is threatened by this creeping plague. It's time to hunt the bugs down and find the source of the infestation, eliminating the threat at its very core. Who or what is behind this menace? It's time to go kick some butt!

You are in outlaw country, stationed at the rim of the galaxy in a far-flung, supposedly bug-free outpost in territory known as the Western Spiral of the Galaxy. Just days ago, your team was searching a planet for a lost contingent of scientists. To your horror, you witnessed the ship your General was commanding get sucked into the maw of a giant creature. The remnants of your corps turned tail and ran, breaking the time-honored code of never abandoning fallen comrades before determining with certainty there were no survivors.

Licking your wounds from the aborted foray into the wilds of Banzure Prime in which hundreds of team members were killed or, at the very least, digested whole by giant worms, you've now received a new assignment. It's a chance to avenge the dead and recover your honor. Just two days ago, an emergency beacon, emanating from an uncharted planet near Banzure Prime, was detected. And, you're heading up the team of Gunmen being sent to investigate.

Gunman Chronicles, developed by Rewolf Software using the 3D Half-Life engine, features four worlds with diverse environments, hordes of mutants and an arsenal of weaponry. The latter initially includes a knife and eventually encompasses laser pistols, shotguns, mecha (altered sub-machine) guns, a plasma electrothermal Polaris Blade, chem guns and the multi-purpose M.U.L.E. — multiple unit launch engine.

Not only will you face more than a dozen variations of Xenomes and mutated creatures during your adventure, you'll also encounter renegade humans (Gunmen turned outlaw), mechanical enemies such as drones and robotic combat forces, prehistoric dinosaurs, and human scientists and engineers — some friendly, some not. Published by Sierra Studios, Gunman Chronicles features environments ranging from dust-bowl frontier lands (Planet Icnus) and techno-wastelands to jungle worlds filled with deadly predators and Mayan-like architecture and underground strongholds.

This first-person action shooter supports 3D acceleration, although its use, while recommended, is not mandatory. Multiplayer action is available for up to 32 players via a LAN or the Internet (32-bit service provider) and modem play is also supported.

Ready to strap on your guns and rid the galaxy of this horrible plague of creepy-crawlers? As the box states, "It's High Noon in Deep Space" and you're the sheriff. Now get out there and start blasting! ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide