Previous Next

Mining is a dangerous business at the best of times, but when you're looking for mineral deposits in space and your mining droids go haywire, you're in real trouble! Such a disaster has struck in Subterranea and, as usual, it's up to the player to save the day, not to mention the miners.

This requires the player to fly his blaster-toting spacecraft through sixteen horizontally scrolling caverns, each one thick with belligerent robots who have decided to work to rule for a change, as well as clearing the path of obstaces which would otherwise spell certain doom should the spacecraft crash into them.

Indestructible barriers are deactivated by shooting a control box in the cavern wall. Other blasted boxes bestow enough energy upon the player's craft to generate a short-lived defensive shield.

Although Rack-It are continuing to set high standards in budget software, Subterranea doesn't quite hit the mark. This is only due to the poor presentation: the scenario doesn't match the gameplay, there are no firm end of level sequences and there's no two-player option.

The control method is also too sensitive, death being a result of bad luck rather than poor judgement. Otherwise it's impressive: the graphics are gorgeous and the sound is accomplished; the sixteen levels provide plenty of challenge because the landscapes grow more hazardous as you progress.

It's derivative of Zynaps and poorly fronted, but Subterranea is still well worth a look.

Original it isn't, but at least Subterranea manages to recreate the addictive aura of some of the better horizontal scrollers. It's a pity it lacks the boost that extra weaponry bestows, but there's enough gameplay to ensure that this feature's absence isn't sorely missed.

Graphically, Subterranea is very nice indeed, and sports some particularly pretty cavern backdrops. The sprites are just as well-drawn, with detail even extending to recoiling guns on the spacecraft. The only fault present is the slightly suspect collision detection, but this isn't detrimental to the extent that it spoils play.

The rough edges wouldn't stop me from recommending this.

Presentation 64%
Superb title screen, but not much in the way of game options.

Graphics 83%
Smooth and nicely detailed sprites accompany pretty backgrounds.

Sound 71%
Funky title track and competent in-game effects.

Hookability 77%
Simple blasting action proves immediately appealing.

Lastability 76%
Sixteen pulse-pounding caverns provide plenty of lasting action.

Overall 74%
A fine example of the genre at an easily affordable price.