Playing with "Icebreaker" is easy and does not require you to learn many keys nor to assimilate complex rules. Your unique goal is to simply destroy the pyramids all throughout the game. These pyramids are divided into two kinds: the Immobile and the Mobile called Seekers. Each category features several species of pyramids representing various dangers that you will learn about when progressing though the game.
"Icebreaker" uses a scrolling 3D isometric view where you control a pyramid lying on its side armed with a plasma blaster. To move your pyramid over the terrain, you can use the mouse, keyboard or joystick. Either the keyboard or a joypad seems to be the most efficient way to move around, especially when you have to be quick and precise at the same time which won't always be possible. Indeed, the nature of the terrain will greatly influence your movements causing you, more than once, to slip in a pit or to finish vaporized in lava. Among all the terrain types there are three fatal to you and three that will slow your progression. Ice as you can probably imagine, is slippery and you move too fast on it, you might find yourself in a place you will regret. Swamps slow down everybody's movements except for the Zombies who accommodate perfectly with them. The rocks will completely block your movements and shots. While they will make your life more complicated, they won't however kill you like the following terrains will. As soon as you fall into a pit or walk on lava and slime, you can say goodbye to your terrestrial envelope as you witness yourself flying to heaven with two little white wings.
As mentioned above, the goal is to clear the numerous levels from the pyramids. The only obstacles besides the terrains are the Seekers who want to kill you. The first species, the Yellers, are quite brainless, but this is not the case of the Limeys who can avoid fatal tiles and the immobile pyramids. There are eight types of Seekers, all with their own characteristics. Some are fast but have low endurance such as the Lurkers, others are slow but smart like the Meanies. These ones are by the way, the most dangerous. If you shoot one, it will split into two Nasties which in turn divide into two Grumpies if you shoot again. There is also the Chameleon that does nothing until you come too close and then tries to kill you. You will discover soon enough the other sorts when playing the game.
The immobile pyramids are also made up of different types. Most of the time, you will only encounter blue, red and green pyramids. The blue pyramids, made of ice, can only be destroyed if you move into them. They will then collapse as if they were made of glass. The red pyramids represent a real danger and if you happen to touch them, you will immediately die. You must use your plasma blaster to kill them. Finally, the green ones can only be eliminated by the Seekers themselves. Even if you shoot a green pyramid a hundred times, it won't even crack! The strategy is therefore to attract Seekers so that when they try to catch you, they pass over the green pyramids and disintegrate them. This is easier said than done, but you will have a lot of fun trying!
Some immobile pyramids have particular properties such as the purple ones that will turn into a pit when shot. The other kinds are the concrete pyramids that take ten shots to be destroyed, and the Rainbow type that turn into a blue, red, green or purple pyramid when you shoot one.
You have all the time you need to complete a level, but you should know that Seekers regenerate themselves until there are no immobile pyramids left. This means your priority is to destroy the immobile pyramids before going after the Seekers, but don't worry, they will hunt you down before you think about them!
The tutorial of four lessons included with "Icebreaker" will explain the basic rules of the game. After this step, there will be 150 levels awaiting you for quite a challenge. In the level grid, you can select one level and choose the difficulty from easy to insane! One thing that I like very much is that you won't have to complete one particular level to jump to the next, allowing you to walk around the levels. Finally, if you prefer to jump into the unknown, choose the random mode for a computer generated level that won't ever be the same each time. There is also a level builder included on the CD-ROM called Icemaker, to design your own levels and thus, offer mind-bending challenges to your friends.
"Icebreaker" comes with a series of soundtracks that you can select individually or let the computer perform a random selection. The music will intensify the action without being too repetitive or tiring. Regarding graphics, "Icebreaker" can be played either in VGA or SVGA mode, depending your video card and processor capabilities. Last but not least, several animations showing terrain characteristics and new Seekers are available directly from the main menu for your viewing and will also appear during the game.
Joystick or joypad supported.
Windows compatible sound card.
Technical Support: 202-625-7171
Web site: www.magnet.com
Email address: Magnet Interactive
See Developers.
| Graphics: | 85% |
| Sound: | 86% |
| Music: | 83% |
| Gameplay: | 88% |
| Interest: | 85% |
| Overall: | 86% |
Click here for additional screen
shots.
Click here to download a free shareware demo.
