New Lineup From Acclaim

Acclaim stopped by the VGS offices recently to show off the latest versions of its work in progress. Here's what it brought.

Forsaken: Forsaken is set in the post-apocalyptic future. That's when you and other scavengers decide to go and get the goods. But scavengers aren't the nicest people in the post apocalyptic world, so you better take some guns - big guns.

The game itself is a lot like Descent. It's a 3-D shooter/maze game with stunning graphics that run at a remarkable 60 frames per second. Forsaken will be available first quarter '98 for the PlayStation; an N64 version will be out some time after that.

Fantastic Four: This is a side-scrolling action game for the PlayStation that has an arcade look and feel. Up to four people can play simultaneously, or the computer can take control of the rest of the team.

Other Marvel characters making cameo appearances include the Incredible Hulk and Ice Man. Look for the Fantastic Four to be released in late '97.

NHL Breakaway 98: With a nearly finished version of NHL Breakaway 98, Acclaim showed VGS all of the features that set this PlayStation hockey game above the competition.

With polygon players sporting some of the best motion capture animations we've seen, NHL Breakaway will have some of the best all-around graphics seen in a hockey game.

The sound features all of the usual hockey trimmings: announcer, organ, crowd noise, and even a stadium PA that informs the crowd that little Billy is lost and asks for his parents to come to the concession stand to reclaim him.

The attention given to detail in NHL Breakaway 98 is unsurpassed, and includes a create-a-player option that actually shows whatever name you decide to give your player on the back of his jersey.

With all of these options, one might be afraid that Acclaimwould look overlook the actual gameplay, but that's not the case. NHL Breakaway has a similar style and feeling to Electronic Arts' 16-bit NHL series, a series viewed by most as one of the best hockey games ever.

NHL Breakaway will be released this August for the PlayStation. An N64 version is in the works for a release sometime next year. For more info check out the VGS preview.

WWF 98: WWF is still early in development but seems to be headed in the right direction. With 3-D polygonal wrestlers that feature excellent motion capture animations, WWF 98 looks like the real thing. Look for this N64 title early '98.