Although, at a first glance, Abuse might seem like just another typical action shooter, this is not quite true. Sure, it looks like an ordinary action game and the story is not very innovative, but what makes this game special is the character control. I'm quite sure that this is the first PC game which incorporates both mouse and keyboard movement at the same time.
By using the keyboard you will be able to move your character around the map, while independently aiming your gun using the mouse. The result is very interesting and will take time to get used to, but it's so smooth you'll just love it. It will also make the game much more challenging, as you will have to concentrate on two things. Once you master this movement technique, you'll be able to perform maneuvers that you thought would never be possible.
As for the storyline, well, don't expect anything extraordinary. It's simple, not very imaginative, but keeps the game rolling. You are a prisoner spending your life in a prison in which various experiments are performed on inmates. Naturally, as usually happens, one of these tests gets out of control, and a devastating plague named ABUSE breaks loose (the rhyme wasn't intentional). Everyone gets infected, but for some strange reason you are immune to it. You find a discarded battle suit and head off to escape the prison and save the day.
This won't be easy, though. Even on the easiest difficulty setting, Abuse is still very hard. If you don't have a lot of patience and nerves of steel, this game is definitely not for you. As you start your escape, you will first have to fight some sort of mechanized prison defense systems, but as you progress you will start encountering various mutants that won't be easy to kill. There will be various upgrades and weapons to aid you in your escape. The gameplay is very simple - just run around, push switches and kill everything that moves. Should be simple enough...
Graphics. Well, they are very nicely made, but can get dull after a long playing session. The level settings mostly consist of darkness, steel and rusty corridors and caves. Nothing too spectacular or breathtaking, but nice enough to keep you fairly interested in progressing to the next level. The explosions, weapon fire, teleporting and other special effects are all done nicely and properly, so there are no objections to that.
The sounds are very scary and suit the game's overall atmosphere. The mutant screams will pass through your bones while the background machine hums will keep you alert at all times. One touch I like very much is that you can hear when the mutants jump out of their cocoons before you actually see them. This adds a lot to the atmosphere, since you will often find yourself standing in the middle of a room waiting to see from which direction the creatures will attack.
Well, you should know pretty much all the basics by now. If you like what you have read so far, I recommend you download and try it out, and if not, save yourself some time and visit some other genre section! A mark of 4 for bringing something new to the genre, while falling back in some other categories.
Undoubtedly the DOOM of platform games, the only thing that's different between this underrated gem and that highly regarded classic is the Abuse's lack of first-person perspective. Despite a cliche plot (kill-all-aliens), everything else is spectacular: smooth animations, cool weapons and enemies, some thoughtful puzzles beyond flip-the-switch types, and the superbly *dark* atmosphere. It even includes a full-featured level editor/creator that allows you to set even custom AI of the monsters and how objects behave. A must-have!
Here I go, this is one of my all time favourites, the game that is the abandonware's answer to the current day 'alien vs. predator'.
This action packed game is something from the future, stuck in the past; what I mean from this is that it was made back in 1995, but feels like something that shouldn't have been made until a few years later. The graphics are crisp clear, with great sound effects, and perfect game play.
If I had to go to space tomorrow and could only take 10 games with me, this would defiantly be one of them! Its the kind of game in which if you don't have a graphics card or perfectly modern sound card, you can still sit back and play without trouble.
Abuse is famously quoted as "a side scroller with a twist", and that's exactly what it is. You play an alien fighting throughout the various levels with a nice selection of guns at your dispense. Your aim is to, like many other games reach the end of each stage - alive, whilst battling various aliens and everything else non-human.
Although Abuse is listed as an action game, which it is, it is also a platform game, and a great one at that. The key features which make this game awesome and the reason I say its ahead of its time is because it has the Max Payne/Unreal Tournament feature of playing with the mouse. Yep, you can use the keyboard and mouse simultaneously, both to move and to aim and fire.
This game is a MUST if you are into action-packed game play!
Abuse is a slick arcade platform, released in 1995. The graphics are reasonably good, but the gameplay is what makes this the popular game it was, when it was realeased.
Battling your way through a futuristic complex, filled with aliens and robotic enemies, your task is to penetrate the core, destroying anything which lies in your path.
You can collect powerups which increase your armor and weaponry, such as rockets, lasers and grenades. All in all, quite a fun and nicely written game all though you can find many similar games of higher quality.
A masterpiece! Basically just a sidescrolling platform shooter - but it's technically very advanced (for 95) - this shows where the genre would have gone if it would not have been eradicated by the flood of 3D shooters. Controlling a Turricanlike one-man-army you destroy anything that stands in your way while you proceed further into this futuristic building filled to the brim with aliens, robots and automatic laser guns.
The story isn't anything new, the graphics are great though and the controls... yes, the controls are great! With the keyboard you control the movement of your hero while you use the mouse to shoot and select weapons. This allows running into one direction while shooting at the monsters that are chasing you - brilliant! It might take a while to get used to using your left hand for the movement, but after a surprisingly short time I didn't even notice anymore.
If you liked Turrican you will love this one. It's the next step in the evolution of a now dead genre.
"You are Nick Vrenna. It is the year 2009. You have been falsely incarcerated inside a high security underground prison where illegal genetic experiments are taking place. Alan Blake, the head research scientist, has isolated the specific gene which causes violence and aggression in humans. This genetic sequence, called 'Abuse', is highly infectious, causing horrific transformations and grotesque side-effects. You are the only person to show immunity to it." Abuse changed the platform games forever. It's unique player control and mouse aiming makes this game a true masterpiece filled with action. It really does feature some things never seen before. That mouse aiming while running through the hallways gives you a vital advantage over your enemies. The game is taking place inside the "prison" facility in which the mentioned experiments were taking place. Your goal is pretty simple - escape. On your way out of the complex you will have to fight with highly mutated humans who look like Aliens (from the movie with the same name and Sigourney Weaver in the main role) and are very dangerous. Good thing that you're pretty well armed as well and on your way out you will find even better weapons. Abuse's interface might surprise you in the beginning but once you get accustomed it will not be too hard. This game is highly recommended to everyone, both action game players and the ones that prefer adventures. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
People who downloaded Abuse have also downloaded:
4D Prince of Persia, Act of Fighter, Earthworm Jim, Air, Adventures of Lomax, Slipstream 5000, Absolute Pinball, Alien Rampage
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