DESCRIPTION

Based on the seminal Arcade classic Tempsest, Tempest 2000 for the PC incorporates the basic play mechanics of the original game with a host of new features. Players maneuver a claw-like ship around the outer area of a series of tube-like, 3D shapes that appear in outer space. Shapes can be round in nature, rectangular, V-shaped or otherwise. To envision the play field, picture in your mind a symmetrical spider web that stretches to a point in the distance.

From the depths of these shapes come a variety of enemies: Flippers, Tankers, Spikers, Fuseballs and Pulsars. Players guide their ship around the tubes and blast the enemies, preferably before they reach the platform on which your ship is crawling. Make contact with an enemy and your ship will be destroyed. If the action gets overly tense, you can use your SuperZapper to blast everything in sight. The game has 98 levels.

Tempest 2000 offers three different game modes for your enjoyment: Tempest 2000, Tempest Plus and Tempest Duel.

The first is a power-up enhanced remake of Tempest in which you battle four new enemies as well as those in the original: Mutant Flippers are faster and more hostile than mere Flippers, Mirrors reflect fire back in your face, Demon Heads use their horns as projectiles and UFOs fly above the action and fire lightning bolts at your Blaster.

Examples of power-ups include particle lasers, warp bonus tokens (count toward bonus levels), "Out of Here" icons that end the level and give you 5,000 points and A.I. Droids that help you destroy enemies. A special jump button lets you hop off your platform and defend yourself against the UFOs.

Each time you reach a different colored play field, you receive a key that enables you to save your progress. If you manage to complete 100 levels of Tempest 2000, you can play Beastly Mode where your shots come in smaller bursts and are slower and the enemies more difficult.

Tempest Plus, which features three modes of play, combines elements of traditional Tempest with those of Tempest 2000. You can battle the aliens alone, with assistance from an A.I. Droid or with the help of a friend.

Finally, Tempest Duel pits you against your most feared enemy of all — your gaming partner! Both yours and your opponent's blasters are equipped with mirrors that let you deflect each other's shots. When you fire a shot, your mirror will temporarily disengage. Both players are vulnerable to each other and to Flippers that prowl along the tube lanes. To help your cause against your opponent, you can pick up Purple Generators and Cubes.

Tempest 2000 offers a number of different viewpoints and visual options. You can view the game from normal, locked or close perspective and with the background stars turned off or on. You are also given the option to play with fat vectors and web and object fills toggled on or off as well. ~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide