As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that “Devastation” is a game that has always intrigued me. Released back in 2003 when I was just starting my gaming journey, it didn’t exactly make waves at the time but has since garnered a cult following among some gamers.
In the annals of the video game industry, there are numerous tales about ventures that may not have materialized if not for the downfall of other development studios preceding them. One such yarn revolves around Devastation, a first-person shooter (FPS) that rose from the remnants of an unfinished expansion pack for Unreal Tournament. Let’s delve into what Digitalo Studios aimed to conquer with their creation back then.
From “Eminem” through a dystopian world
1) The destruction caught people’s eyes even before the game hit the shelves.
The scene of destruction took us to a bleak future universe resembling a dystopia in 2075, where the Earth has been reduced to a battlefield under the ruthless rule of megacorporation Grathius. This totalitarian regime brooks no opposition and swiftly squashes any signs of it using its enforcement division. To add salt to the wound, this corporation holds advanced technology that allows for cloning humans via nanomachines, thereby extending its military prowess indefinitely.
It’s not hard to see that in such a world, something was bound to break eventually. The protagonist, symbolizing widespread dissatisfaction and leading the rebellion, launched an attack against Grathius and began thwarting their schemes worldwide, from San Francisco to Taipei and on to Japan.
As I journeyed through this game, I wasn’t just a lone wolf. A crew of rebels joined me along the way, each with their unique talents and preferred weapons. For instance, Tara was our tech guru, always finding ways to outsmart the system. On the other hand, Gus moved like a pro when bullets flew, as if he were born for combat. Together, we made quite the formidable team.
Shoot first, ask questions later
Initially taken aback, I was thrilled to discover that I could select the gaming style within the story campaign. The game presented two options: arcade mode or simulation mode. In essence, the former promised quick-paced gameplay emphasizing spectacular actions, whereas the latter focused on strategic moves and slower speed. However, in reality, the main distinction between them lay in the number of weapons and gadgets available to Haskell. In arcade mode, Haskell had an endless supply, while in simulation mode, he was limited instead.
The game’s storyline was segmented into various tasks, each transporting us to distinct but equally dreary, dismal, and overcast settings. Initially, the gameplay followed a straight path, but as it progressed, Flynn and his team obtained a cloning device. From then on, the developers emphasized non-linear missions, with the rebels aiming to demolish their adversaries’ cloning apparatus. However, matters became more intricate because the enemies also sought to destroy our cloning machine, as they had the same objective.
On the battlefield, I utilized an assortment of tools – everything from close-combat weapons like swords and knuckle dusters to long-range firepower such as handguns, assault rifles, and even explosives like grenades. We had improvised items too, like bottles and boards, which came in handy at times. Certain weapons also offered dual firing modes, adding another layer of strategy to our arsenal.
Strength in numbers
It’s important to acknowledge the assistance provided by our fellow players during the game. We were able to issue basic commands that instructed them to attack, defend, follow the main character, and maintain their positions. Regrettably, even with their help, Devastation didn’t prove to be a strong contender against games like Ghost Recon or other titles in the Rainbow Six series.
In Haskell’s team, the members weren’t particularly sharp and tended to behave poorly during critical situations, remaining motionless as bullets flew around them. To make matters worse, the valiant rebels often obstructed one another, necessitating close supervision. However, when the allies were firing, they showed remarkable precision. Considering that their adversaries weren’t very intelligent either, the other rebels could be seen as valuable assets on the battlefield.
Something for everyone
The single-player aspect of Devastation wasn’t particularly impressive, but its multiplayer side certainly shines. It offers classic deathmatch (known as Streetwar), capture-the-flag modes, and an innovative twist with the Territories module. In this mode, the rebel team aims to retrieve codes to disable laser barriers guarding enemy bases and then eliminate the enemies’ respawn point.
Additionally, the developers made sure that the game was compatible with user-created modifications. In essence, they took care of everything required for their project to remain vibrant and engaging for players even post-launch.
The future painted in dark colors
In the game Devastation, developers unveiled a rather unusual vision of the future for us. Despite it being set in the year 2075, many features of the game world seemed more reminiscent of the early 2000s. However, there were some notable differences, most notably the futuristic uniforms worn by Grathius’s soldiers.
According to the game’s title, the developers gave us the ability to cause significant damage to the game environment. Although it didn’t quite match the destruction capabilities shown in Red Faction, the Unreal Engine made it possible to demolish numerous objects, with a focus on various devices. Additionally, some items like furniture could be moved around.
That wasn’t something amazing, but it was still cool
In the spring of 2003, the game known as Devastation became available on personal computers. This game received mediocre reviews at best from critics, earning an average score of 62/100 from industry media, as reported by Metacritic. However, over time, some gamers have come to admire this title. In fact, there were some who claimed it was “the best dystopian game ever made” and also “the best game that nobody played in 2003.
How to play Devastation today?
As I pen these words, it’s unfortunate to report that Devastation isn’t currently available for purchase on Steam or GOG.com. However, you can find a used copy of the game priced between 2 and 5 dollars. Notably, the most cost-effective way to acquire the complete version is by seeking out the edition that was previously distributed in Play magazine, as this was often the first point of introduction for many gamers.
What happened next?
Digitalo Studios only produced one game titled “Devastation,” which was their final release. Arush Entertainment, handling its publication, continued for a while longer. Following “Devastation,” Arush also published games from the Hunting Unlimited and Playboy: The Mansion series. However, in 2005, HIP Interactive, Digitalo’s owner, faced bankruptcy, effectively ending both the company and its associated brands.
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2024-12-17 13:02