PC CD-ROM minimum system requirements: Pentium 60mhz; 8MB RAM; 10MB hard disk space; DOS 6.0; Dual speed CD-ROM drive; VGA. £34.99
THE Earth's natural resources are depleted to the bare minimum because of an ever increasing population. It's 2055 and the widespread use of fossil fuels and nuclear power, allied to global greed and apathy in dealing with nuclear waste, has resulted in an extremely polluted environment.
Each nation has in turn accused the other of wastefulness and, with tensions approaching breaking point, drastic actions have been taken by those in power.
Just before complete collapse satellites detect a powerful new energy source called Praxillium and drilling begins three miles beneath the north Atlantic. But no sooner are the drill sites operational than they are inexplicably vaporised. The obvious culprit is the nuclear fuel industry, but it denies any involvement.
This is where you, the player, take over. You have been hired to lead an expedition to investigate the underwater explosion and an experimental military submersible, code-named S.T.O.R.M. (Submersible Tactical Operational Reconnaissance Module), is commissioned for your use. Your task is clear, get to the drill site and find out exactly what has happened. Getting to the drill site will prove difficult as the Nuclear Energy Office (NEO) has hired mercenaries to try to stop you reaching your goal.
While the STORM is extremely manoeuvrable, occasionally you will have to explore some of the narrow caverns beneath the sea. To do this you must release the diver on-board STORM and he warned the waters are shark infested and the diver's oxygen tanks don't have the capacity to allow you to stray too far. On some levels the STORM can be equipped to carry the ROV (Remote Operational Vehicle). This mini-submarine is remotely guided and can be used in hostile or narrow areas unsuitable for the STORM or the diver.
And there are plenty of hostile areas. The NEO mercenaries have littered the sea-bed with floating and magnetic mines. Not content with that, they will also attack on single and two-seater aqua scooters. To back this up they also have the Suben, their fighting submarine, to call on when needed. Allied with that is the best (or the worst) nature has to throw at you.
Once at the helm, STORM is very easy to control. The game tends to lead you scrolling from left to right, but at the flick of a button you can reverse the direction in which you are travelling. And because you are not hindered with a cockpit point of view you can see the whole of the power-up laden gameplay area. Oxygen, energy, health, shield, weapons etc are strewn throughout the game, and to take these on-board you must use STORM's fragile grappling arm.
STORM generates an excellent atmosphere to compliment what is an engrossing game, and the graphics are suitably well done. It also combines seamless arcade action with some subtle, thought provoking gameplay.
Graphics: 90%, Sound: 90%, Gameplay: 91%