| Game Reviews From a Parental Perspective! | |
|
|
|
| Home | Forums | Review Archive | Columns | Feature Articles |
|
Home >
Review Archive >
Video Games
> Results: Space Hack
Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Scroll down for our Kid Factor. 
The basis of gameplay for Diablo, released in 1996, is as follows: click to move somewhere, click to attack, click on stuff dropped by enemies you attacked, click on enough enemies to gain a new level, click to level stats so you can use the new items you found, click on stronger enemies. Click, click, click, click. You also get a thin plot to follow and some side-quests to accomplish for people you meet along the way.
Fast forward almost exactly nine years to Polish developer Rebelmind's release of Space Hack. In this game players click to move somewhere, click to attack, click on stuff dropped by enemies, click, click, click ... only now you do it in space! Diablo in space = Space Hack.  That isn't to say it's valueless. This is an enjoyable hack-and-slash game that can be challenging at times and keeps you busy for many hours. Unlike many recent role-playing games by small developers, Space Hack is nicely put together and leaves a good impression. This is because it set its goals and accomplished them. There are two issues with the game. The combat becomes repetitive and there is no easy way to switch from ranged to melee combat. Aside from that, most standards of the genre are included and function fine. Space Hack is in a tough place. It's a T-rated game with fairly limited plot and a basic hack-and-slash premise. This means that it's not appropriate for kids like last year's surprise hit Fate, nor will it attract hardcore role-playing gamers. However, the budget price is immediately attractive. The combination of accessible gameplay, simple action and a budget price make it an entertaining choice for those looking for a cheap action role-playing game in a non-fantasy setting.  
Space Hack's T-rating comes from the violence, occasional blood and language. It's all presented in such a light and fantastic setting as to be greatly minimized. Like most games in this genre, the action is quick and intense, but the third-person isometric perspective decouples the player from becoming too immersed in the character.
The only significant concern is the language. Like too many games and movies, there is enough language that is inappropriate for kids to keep this game recommended for 14+. However, if your kids are between 10 and 14 and are already watching PG-13 movies and you have an understanding regarding use of certain types of language, there is no other reason not to allow 10+ year old kids to play Space Hack. This review edited by Dave Long Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Space Hack |
Read the GamerDad 2007 Holiday Guide!
|
Please Note: GamerDad is not intended to be read by anyone under 18. We stay clean, but be warned! Content Management System developed by Redbird Solutions. |
