MDK
This one I've really waited out, MDK was released way back in 1997 (remember that far back?). Think some of my classmates had cracked versions, but this was before everyone got CD burners, and when they did I never remembered to ask for this game. Meanwhile there seemed to be a bit of a high-pricing orgy going on with this game, for the next few years no store seemed to realize how old the game was getting. They kept asking fullest of retail prices for it, so naturally they didn't manage to sell to me (and probably not to anyone else either). Was much closer to getting MDK when I found it second hand at Tradition for SEK 39, but somehow I didn't even then. Perhaps too much time and technology. Anyway, on Monday November 13th 2000 I walked into a store to buy a wrist support for my keyboard, and what game was nicely packed and selling for SEK 30? First time I've bought a game the official site claims is out of stock ...
Graphically, of course, MDK is way behind today's games. 3d acceleration support can be tucked on by a patch, but the looks still aren't anything to write anywhere about. But come on, we're talking stuff from early 1997 here! If they updated the graphics no one would realize this was an old game because gameplay and creativity doesn't give a damn what year it is.
Basically, MDK is a third-person shooter with a wacky sense of humour. Just saying this isn't too close to the truth however. Get this: no keys to hunt for and no confusing, maze-like levels! Each level is a sequence of arenas, large open areas of different kinds, connected by corridors, again of different kinds. Might as well mention no loading times between places while I'm on it. Okay, there's something a bit key-hunting-like in that you often have to kill some bosslike monster to get to the next arena, but it's nothing like having to get key A to press button C and open door B to get to pressure pad D. The arenas can be anything from subway-station-like caves to snow covered valleys (with ice patches under which seals swim around). Being made by Shiny, everything has a nice wacky touch to it, and there are tons of creativity (just wait until you see some of those arenas!). "Corridors" can be anything from a short stretch of straight tunnel connecting two arenas to a full-blown snowboard sequence where you try to collect golden bones to get extra powerups. Beat that eh? Arenas can be very large, large on the Unreal scale (if not as detailed), and full of baddies, which makes sure you'll find use for your weapons.
Yes, I've given myself the excuse to write about the weapons! This is another one of those spots where MDK feels ahead of its time. For MDK let's you snipe. And not just with a lousy 10x or 20x zoom, no. MDK lets you zoom up to 100 times, straight across those huge arenas. The game even supports a mouse wheel for zooming. And you are perfectly able to shoot the head, an arm or a leg off your opponents as you wish, how many other games did that in 1997 (how many do that now for that matter)? Oh, and those opponents are 3d models in case anyone was wondering, and they tend to jump around, work together and not get stuck between obstacles in a way you may not have expected from even a new game. There are different kinds of ammunition as well as a bunch of wierd powerups and pickups. The 150-health powerup for example, squeaks like Psy-Crow and tries to run away from you. Then there's stuff like The World's Most Interesting Bomb and the Bones Airstrike, which both come in very handy.
More humour in games! No wonder this game got such reviews, and it still holds up today even if the visuals look pretty old by now. I've got to get MDK 2 too ...
More notes, they might be spoilers ...
