C&VG


Rampage

Publisher: Sega
Machine: Sega Master System (EU Version)

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #89

Rampage

Activision released Rampage on the home computers last Christmas, and how they've finally got round to doing a Sega conversion - and it's pretty good too.

One or two players take the roles of giant monsters, either Godzilla, King Kong or a huge Werewolf, and run amok on a mission of destruction and mayhem through a variety of cities. The objective is simple: smash, bach and eat everything in sight, and try and keep out of the way of the army, who have been drafted in to stop you having fun.

Tanks, personel carriers and jeeps drive around, helicopters buzz in the air and soldiers lean out of windows; all attempt to shoot at the monsters and wear down their energy bars, the depletion of which signals the end of the game. But those monsters aren't going to let those pesky people wreck their wrecking, and they can swap at choppers, pummel vehicles and grab soldiers from buildings and eat them - which replenishes energy!

Rampage

To clear a screen, the monsters have to raze all the buildings to the ground, which is done by climbing up their sides and beating the brickwork. Repeated thumping makes great holes in the building, and if enough damage is done, it collapses. When all the buildings are demolished, the monsters go on to the next screen, where more army reinforcements are lying in wait.

With plenty of originality and a great sense of humour, Rampage is a brilliant first Sega release for Activision. The graphics are marvellous, with detailed sprites and neat touches, like the monster's expressions changing as they eat, jump and get shot.

Gameplay is addictive, and laying waste to entire cities is great fun, especially when there are two monsters on the rampage!