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Microcosm (video game)

January 07, 2023

Microcosm is a 3D rail shooter video game developed and published by Psygnosis in 1993. It was originally developed for the FM Towns,[5] and also ported for the Sega Mega-CD, Amiga CD32, 3DO, and MS-DOS. Microcosm featured realistic FMV animation, with the graphics being rendered on Silicon Graphics workstations.[6] The game is either in first-person or third-person view depending on the gaming system.

Microcosm
Amiga CD cover art
Developer(s)Psygnosis
Publisher(s)Psygnosis
Designer(s)Richard Browne
Programmer(s)John Gibson
Artist(s)Jim Bowers
Neil Thompson
Writer(s)Nik Wild
Composer(s)Rick Wakeman
Tim Wright
Mike Clarke
Kevin Collier
Pearl Studios
Platform(s)FM Towns, Sega Mega-CD, 3DO, Amiga CD32, MS-DOS
Release
March 1993
  • FM Towns[1]
    • JP: March 1993
    Mega-CD[2]
    • NA: December 22, 1993
    • EU: 1993
    • JP: February 25, 1994
    3DO[3]
    • NA: March 14, 1994
    • JP: July 9, 1994
    Amiga CD32[4]
    DOS
Genre(s)Rail shooter[5]
Mode(s)Single-player

Plot

Set in the year of 2051 AD, the game takes place in a dystopian futuristic setting on an alien planet called Bodor, located in the Bator System, where the galaxy's two largest conglomerates — Cybertech, considered the more compassionate of the two, and Axiom, thought to be the more oppressive corporation — compete to achieve premier status in the business world, a position known as CORP 1. Because of heavy mining operations on the planet from the corporations, most of Bodor is uninhabitable due to pollution, forcing 87% of the population onto 2% of the planet's land. Because of this, poverty, crime and disease are rampant in the cities. Axiom also claims that Cybertech is responsible for the death of Axiom's former president. Axiom injects Cybertech president Tiron Korsby's body with microscopic droids designed to penetrate his brain and control his mind. Cybertech, however, learns of this plan and injects Korsby with their own piloted submarines shrunken down to a microscopic size to destroy Axiom's droids and prevent them from controlling Korsby's mind.[7]

Development

The game used the latest Silicon Graphics computers at the time to render the graphics as realistically as possible.[8] In 1991, the game was first seen in a demo for the Amiga CDTV. A port for the CD-i was planned and then canceled, but a prototype exists. The lead platform was the FM Towns, and development was funded in part by Fujitsu with the aim of making it a launch title for the console-styled version of the platform, the FM Towns Marty.[5] The game engine was later purchased by Fujitsu for £250,000.[5] The DOS and FM Towns versions feature an exclusive soundtrack by Rick Wakeman, which was replaced in other versions with a soundtrack by Tim Wright for licensing reasons.[5] A promotional version of the game was later developed for Pfizer.[5]

Reception

Critics generally rated Microcosm as having excellent graphics but very limited and poorly designed gameplay. Amiga Format, for instance, greatly praised the Amiga CD32 version's graphics and soundtrack, but described the gameplay as "a merely slightly better than average" rail shooter.[10] In a 1995 second review, they lowered their score from 87% to 40%, mocking their earlier review's emphasis of graphics over gameplay and describing the game as "a decidedly average Space Harrier clone that certainly looks great, but plays horribly".[11] Amiga Power similarly described Microcosm as a Space Harrier clone with extremely limited interactivity and little variations in the visuals, giving the game a 44%.[12] CU Amiga gave the Amiga CD32 version an 86%, saying that the graphics are not nearly as good as the FM Towns version, with enemy sprites that look "pasted on", but that the gameplay is considerably improved.[6]

Reviewing the Sega CD version, GamePro opined that Microcosm represents a good concept for FMV games, but that the poor level design reduces the gameplay to trial-and-error and takes away the fun.[13] Electronic Gaming Monthly similarly commented that the game concept is good, but the gameplay is "repetitious and boring." They scored it a 5.4 out of 10.[14]

Computer Gaming World in June 1994 said that the DOS version was "a very basic shooter" with "simplistic, even brainless" gameplay. While praising the "polished graphics and animation" and "equally excellent" music, the magazine concluded that despite "cool technology and a 'cinematic feel' ... Psygnosis forgot to make a game".[15]

Electronic Gaming Monthly's four reviewers gave the 3DO version a unanimous score of 4 out of 10, commenting that the graphics are a huge improvement over the Sega CD version.[note 1] but that the gameplay is still shallow and "just not fun".[16] Next Generation reviewed the 3DO version of the game, rating it two stars out of five, and stated that "This is one of those games one can never describe as challenging, only as frustrating."[17]

Editions

The limited edition copy of the PC and Amiga CD32 versions of the game contains the game, the manual, a soundtrack CD and a T-shirt.[18]

Notes

  1. ^ Though the FM Towns and Amiga CD32 versions had also been released at the time, the review does not mention them because they were not released in North America, where Electronic Gaming Monthly was published,

References

  1. ^ "Microcosm for FM Towns (1993)". MobyGames. from the original on 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  2. ^ . GameFAQs. Archived from the original on 2009-05-06. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  3. ^ . GameFAQs. Archived from the original on 2007-08-26. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  4. ^ "Microcosm Release Date (Amiga CD32)". GameFAQs. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  5. ^ a b c d e f McFerran, Damien (2 February 2014). "A fantastic voyage: The making of Microcosm". Eurogamer. from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  6. ^ a b Dillon, Tony (December 1993). "Microcosm". CU Amiga. EMAP. pp. 52–54.
  7. ^ Storey, Dudley III (May 1994). "Microcosm". Amiga Down Under. No. 9. p. 73. from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  8. ^ "PC Zone Magazine". PC Zone. No. 1. April 1993. p. 9. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  9. ^ Clarke, Stuart (February 1994). "Microcosm". Hyper. No. 3. pp. 54–55. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Dyson, Marcus (April 1994). "Microcosm". Amiga Format. No. 58. p. 57. from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  11. ^ McGill, Steve (November 1995). "Microcosm CD32". Amiga Format. No. 77. p. 77.
  12. ^ Campbell, Stuart (April 1994). "Microcosm". Amiga Power. No. 36. Future plc. pp. 34–35.
  13. ^ "Microcosm". GamePro. No. 58. IDG. May 1994. p. 38.
  14. ^ "Review Crew: Microcosm". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 56. EGM Media, LLC. March 1994. p. 38.
  15. ^ James, Jeff (June 1994). "Microcosm". Computer Gaming World. pp. 42–44. from the original on 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  16. ^ "Review Crew: Microcosm". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 61. EGM Media, LLC. August 1994. p. 36.
  17. ^ "Finals". Next Generation. No. 2. Imagine Media. February 1995. p. 90.
  18. ^ "≥ MICROCOSM Limited Edition - Nieuw - Games | PC - Marktplaats.nl". from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-09-04.

External links

  • Microcosm at MobyGames
  • Microcosm at the Hall of Light

January 07, 2023
microcosm, video, game, microcosm, rail, shooter, video, game, developed, published, psygnosis, 1993, originally, developed, towns, also, ported, sega, mega, amiga, cd32, microcosm, featured, realistic, animation, with, graphics, being, rendered, silicon, grap. Microcosm is a 3D rail shooter video game developed and published by Psygnosis in 1993 It was originally developed for the FM Towns 5 and also ported for the Sega Mega CD Amiga CD32 3DO and MS DOS Microcosm featured realistic FMV animation with the graphics being rendered on Silicon Graphics workstations 6 The game is either in first person or third person view depending on the gaming system MicrocosmAmiga CD cover artDeveloper s PsygnosisPublisher s PsygnosisDesigner s Richard BrowneProgrammer s John GibsonArtist s Jim BowersNeil ThompsonWriter s Nik WildComposer s Rick WakemanTim WrightMike ClarkeKevin CollierPearl StudiosPlatform s FM Towns Sega Mega CD 3DO Amiga CD32 MS DOSReleaseMarch 1993 FM Towns 1 JP March 1993Mega CD 2 NA December 22 1993EU 1993JP February 25 19943DO 3 NA March 14 1994JP July 9 1994Amiga CD32 4 EU 1994DOSEU 1994Genre s Rail shooter 5 Mode s Single player Contents 1 Plot 2 Development 3 Reception 4 Editions 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksPlot EditSet in the year of 2051 AD the game takes place in a dystopian futuristic setting on an alien planet called Bodor located in the Bator System where the galaxy s two largest conglomerates Cybertech considered the more compassionate of the two and Axiom thought to be the more oppressive corporation compete to achieve premier status in the business world a position known as CORP 1 Because of heavy mining operations on the planet from the corporations most of Bodor is uninhabitable due to pollution forcing 87 of the population onto 2 of the planet s land Because of this poverty crime and disease are rampant in the cities Axiom also claims that Cybertech is responsible for the death of Axiom s former president Axiom injects Cybertech president Tiron Korsby s body with microscopic droids designed to penetrate his brain and control his mind Cybertech however learns of this plan and injects Korsby with their own piloted submarines shrunken down to a microscopic size to destroy Axiom s droids and prevent them from controlling Korsby s mind 7 Development EditThe game used the latest Silicon Graphics computers at the time to render the graphics as realistically as possible 8 In 1991 the game was first seen in a demo for the Amiga CDTV A port for the CD i was planned and then canceled but a prototype exists The lead platform was the FM Towns and development was funded in part by Fujitsu with the aim of making it a launch title for the console styled version of the platform the FM Towns Marty 5 The game engine was later purchased by Fujitsu for 250 000 5 The DOS and FM Towns versions feature an exclusive soundtrack by Rick Wakeman which was replaced in other versions with a soundtrack by Tim Wright for licensing reasons 5 A promotional version of the game was later developed for Pfizer 5 Reception EditReceptionReview scorePublicationScoreHyper83 Sega CD 9 Critics generally rated Microcosm as having excellent graphics but very limited and poorly designed gameplay Amiga Format for instance greatly praised the Amiga CD32 version s graphics and soundtrack but described the gameplay as a merely slightly better than average rail shooter 10 In a 1995 second review they lowered their score from 87 to 40 mocking their earlier review s emphasis of graphics over gameplay and describing the game as a decidedly average Space Harrier clone that certainly looks great but plays horribly 11 Amiga Power similarly described Microcosm as a Space Harrier clone with extremely limited interactivity and little variations in the visuals giving the game a 44 12 CU Amiga gave the Amiga CD32 version an 86 saying that the graphics are not nearly as good as the FM Towns version with enemy sprites that look pasted on but that the gameplay is considerably improved 6 Reviewing the Sega CD version GamePro opined that Microcosm represents a good concept for FMV games but that the poor level design reduces the gameplay to trial and error and takes away the fun 13 Electronic Gaming Monthly similarly commented that the game concept is good but the gameplay is repetitious and boring They scored it a 5 4 out of 10 14 Computer Gaming World in June 1994 said that the DOS version was a very basic shooter with simplistic even brainless gameplay While praising the polished graphics and animation and equally excellent music the magazine concluded that despite cool technology and a cinematic feel Psygnosis forgot to make a game 15 Electronic Gaming Monthly s four reviewers gave the 3DO version a unanimous score of 4 out of 10 commenting that the graphics are a huge improvement over the Sega CD version note 1 but that the gameplay is still shallow and just not fun 16 Next Generation reviewed the 3DO version of the game rating it two stars out of five and stated that This is one of those games one can never describe as challenging only as frustrating 17 Editions EditThe limited edition copy of the PC and Amiga CD32 versions of the game contains the game the manual a soundtrack CD and a T shirt 18 Notes Edit Though the FM Towns and Amiga CD32 versions had also been released at the time the review does not mention them because they were not released in North America where Electronic Gaming Monthly was published References Edit Microcosm for FM Towns 1993 MobyGames Archived from the original on 2014 02 03 Retrieved 2014 02 02 Microcosm Release Date Sega Mega CD GameFAQs Archived from the original on 2009 05 06 Retrieved 2008 08 31 Microcosm Release Date 3DO GameFAQs Archived from the original on 2007 08 26 Retrieved 2008 08 31 Microcosm Release Date Amiga CD32 GameFAQs Archived from the original on 2012 07 30 Retrieved 2008 08 31 a b c d e f McFerran Damien 2 February 2014 A fantastic voyage The making of Microcosm Eurogamer Archived from the original on 19 February 2014 Retrieved 2 February 2014 a b Dillon Tony December 1993 Microcosm CU Amiga EMAP pp 52 54 Storey Dudley III May 1994 Microcosm Amiga Down Under No 9 p 73 Archived from the original on 2012 02 12 Retrieved 2019 04 25 PC Zone Magazine PC Zone No 1 April 1993 p 9 Retrieved July 3 2017 Clarke Stuart February 1994 Microcosm Hyper No 3 pp 54 55 Retrieved July 1 2021 Dyson Marcus April 1994 Microcosm Amiga Format No 58 p 57 Archived from the original on 2012 02 12 Retrieved 2019 04 25 McGill Steve November 1995 Microcosm CD32 Amiga Format No 77 p 77 Campbell Stuart April 1994 Microcosm Amiga Power No 36 Future plc pp 34 35 Microcosm GamePro No 58 IDG May 1994 p 38 Review Crew Microcosm Electronic Gaming Monthly No 56 EGM Media LLC March 1994 p 38 James Jeff June 1994 Microcosm Computer Gaming World pp 42 44 Archived from the original on 2014 07 03 Retrieved 2017 11 11 Review Crew Microcosm Electronic Gaming Monthly No 61 EGM Media LLC August 1994 p 36 Finals Next Generation No 2 Imagine Media February 1995 p 90 MICROCOSM Limited Edition Nieuw Games PC Marktplaats nl Archived from the original on 2016 09 15 Retrieved 2016 09 04 External links EditMicrocosm at MobyGames Microcosm at the Hall of Light Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Microcosm video game amp oldid 1131501166, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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