Sinistar Unleashed
Encyclopedia
Sinistar Unleashed is an arcade videogame developed by GameFX Thechnology and published by THQ
for the PC in 1999. The game is a pseudo-sequel to the 1982 arcade game
, and so the original developers were not involved in its production.
Like the original game, Sinistar Unleashed consists in that a race of space dwellers, are using their Sporg slaves to create bio-mechanical weapons known as Sinistars and the player must stop them by moving level by level, one Sinistar at time, until you face the ultimate Sinistar.
Despite not having the popularity of the original game, Sinistar Unleashed is best known for its very advanced quality graphics (compared to games such as Homeworld
or Tomb Raider: Chronicles), for its sound system and the variety of 3-D movements available in the gameplay.
Once the gate is fully powered an enormous, a very aggressive boss monster comes out of it, the Sinistar. the primary mission is destroy the gate before the Sinistar can get through it or delay the arrival of the Sinistar as long as possible, and when it does come, destroy the Sinistar. Also, Enemy fighters patrol the area. The Sinistar and the gate can only be harmed using a special weapon, the sini-bomb.
Every fourth level of the game's 24 levels, there is a "bonus stage". These levels are basically regulated melees that involve either destroying or protecting a particular object. There's also some modification with regard to the Sinistar itself. Instead of a single design, as seen in the original, each of the standard levels has its own unique Sinistar with its own attack style and weaknesses.
gave the game a 6 out of 10 score, reviewing that "Despite all the graphical gloss, it seems that GameFX is trying to stay true to the complexity - and the accompanying difficulty - of the original."
IGN
recommended the game, stating that "If you've been looking for an arcade-heavy title to give you a different experience from all the online RPGs you've been sucking away brain cells on, then this will keep you more than satisfied."
Ryan Thompson from Gaming Age gave a mixed review, concluding that "Aside from the intense shooting action, Sinistar Unleashed offers nothing to the player that wants a little more from their PC games. This may be one of the best attempts at a remake, but with the simple gameplay and overall lack of reason to play, this probably just goes to show that classics should sometimes remain as classics."
Nash Werner from GamePro
gave a mediocre score to the game, saying that "While the original was remarkable for its time, Sinistar Unleashed doesn't add anything to the spaceflight/action genre--save for its amazing graphics,(...),this remake of a legendary game fails to keep me coming back for more. For all the gorgeous graphics, it's just average fun."
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
for the PC in 1999. The game is a pseudo-sequel to the 1982 arcade game
Sinistar
Sinistar is an arcade game released by Williams in 1982. It belongs to a class of video games from the 1980s called "twitch games". Other "twitch games" include Tempest, Defender, and Robotron: 2084. Sinistar was developed by Sam Dicker, Jack Haeger, Noah Falstein, RJ Mical and Richard Witt...
, and so the original developers were not involved in its production.
Like the original game, Sinistar Unleashed consists in that a race of space dwellers, are using their Sporg slaves to create bio-mechanical weapons known as Sinistars and the player must stop them by moving level by level, one Sinistar at time, until you face the ultimate Sinistar.
Despite not having the popularity of the original game, Sinistar Unleashed is best known for its very advanced quality graphics (compared to games such as Homeworld
Homeworld
Homeworld is a real-time strategy computer game released on September 28, 1999, developed by Relic Entertainment and published by Sierra Entertainment. It was the first fully three-dimensional RTS. In 2003, Relic released the source code for Homeworld...
or Tomb Raider: Chronicles), for its sound system and the variety of 3-D movements available in the gameplay.
Plot
The basis of Sinistar Unleashed is simple: You get through a wormhole into the alternate universe of the Sinistar, where your spaceship is transformed into a strange organic living spaceship. In center of each level is a huge jumpgate that evil worker drones (dwellers) are busy powering up by attaching sinisite crystals to it.Once the gate is fully powered an enormous, a very aggressive boss monster comes out of it, the Sinistar. the primary mission is destroy the gate before the Sinistar can get through it or delay the arrival of the Sinistar as long as possible, and when it does come, destroy the Sinistar. Also, Enemy fighters patrol the area. The Sinistar and the gate can only be harmed using a special weapon, the sini-bomb.
Gameplay
Sinistar Unleashed has 24 single-player levels along with five bonus levels. The weapon selection includes classic lasers and Sinibombs as well as newer additions like the concussion gun, lightning gun, charging photon, mind control gun, and the lightning storm.Every fourth level of the game's 24 levels, there is a "bonus stage". These levels are basically regulated melees that involve either destroying or protecting a particular object. There's also some modification with regard to the Sinistar itself. Instead of a single design, as seen in the original, each of the standard levels has its own unique Sinistar with its own attack style and weaknesses.
Reception
The game received average scores from critics. GameSpotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
gave the game a 6 out of 10 score, reviewing that "Despite all the graphical gloss, it seems that GameFX is trying to stay true to the complexity - and the accompanying difficulty - of the original."
IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
recommended the game, stating that "If you've been looking for an arcade-heavy title to give you a different experience from all the online RPGs you've been sucking away brain cells on, then this will keep you more than satisfied."
Ryan Thompson from Gaming Age gave a mixed review, concluding that "Aside from the intense shooting action, Sinistar Unleashed offers nothing to the player that wants a little more from their PC games. This may be one of the best attempts at a remake, but with the simple gameplay and overall lack of reason to play, this probably just goes to show that classics should sometimes remain as classics."
Nash Werner from GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
gave a mediocre score to the game, saying that "While the original was remarkable for its time, Sinistar Unleashed doesn't add anything to the spaceflight/action genre--save for its amazing graphics,(...),this remake of a legendary game fails to keep me coming back for more. For all the gorgeous graphics, it's just average fun."