Centipede (1998 video game)

Centipede is a 3D remake of the 1981 Centipede arcade game from Atari, the original of which was and designed by Ed Logg and Dona Bailey. It was published by Hasbro Interactive in 1998 under the Atari Interactive brand name.

Centipede
North American PC cover art
Developer(s)Leaping Lizard Software
Publisher(s)Hasbro Interactive
MacSoft (Macintosh)
Designer(s)Richard Rouse III
Mark Bullock
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Macintosh
ReleaseOctober 23, 1998[1] (PC), May 1999 (PS1),
1999 (Game.com)
November 1999 (Dreamcast)
2001 (Macintosh)
Genre(s)Shoot 'em up
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Gameplay consists of a series of rounds that are completed once the player eliminates the centipede(s) that wind down the playing field. Obstacles such as spiders, fleas, and scorpions complicate the game. At the same time, a population of mushrooms grows between the player and each centipede. Optionally, the player is tasked with rescuing villagers and bystanders and preventing damage to key structures; although ignoring these tasks does not prevent the player from being able to complete the round regardless.

Gameplay
Screenshots of the original version (bottom) and the 1998 sequel (top)

The game can be played in two game modes: "Arcade" and "Adventure" — the latter marking a departure from the original version. Arcade mode allows the player to experience a ported version of the original arcade Centipede, with some enhancements.

In the adventure campaign, one completes a series of levels linked by a storyline. Here, the player encounters both the original enemies (centipede, spider, flea, scorpion, poisonous mushroom) and a new array as well (dragonfly, butterfly, firebug, icebug, killer mushroom, etc.), some of which are capable of throwing projectiles to destroy the shooter, and others capable of altering mushrooms. If an enemy or projectile contacts the shooter, the player loses a life.

Campaign story

The story centers around a collective of villages known as "Weedom," and a prophecy that foretells their imminent destruction. Each century, an army of large insects invades Weedom at the hands of their leader, the Queen Pede. The player assumes the role of Wally Gudmunzsun, who is tasked with the destruction of the invading insect army, while piloting a craft known simply as "The Shooter."

Even though the graphics were 3D, they consisted of simple geometrical shapes. Notice the hexagonal head of the scorpion, as seen in the game.

Reception

Chris Charla reviewed the PlayStation version of the game for Next Generation, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "A solid 3D shooter with a nice, if young, story makes this a great game for your little brother, but don't be surprised if you find yourself playing a few games, too."[2]

Adam Pavlacka reviewed the Dreamcast version of the game for Next Generation, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Centipede may look good in 3D, but the classic version of the game is still more fun."[3]

The game received poor to mediocre review scores. GameSpot criticized the controls and camera, giving it an overall rating of 6.9, equivalent to "fair".[4]

The game won Computer Games Strategy Plus's 1998 "Classic Game of the Year" award. The editors wrote, "As an arcade conversion, it has it all: great graphics, the same addictive gameplay as the original, and enough new enhancements to justify the effort."[5]

References
  1. "New Releases". GameSpot. October 23, 1998. Archived from the original on June 9, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. Charla, Chris (September 1999). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 2 no. 1. Imagine Media. p. 87.
  3. Pavlacka, Adam (February 2000). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 3 no. 2. Imagine Media. p. 92.
  4. Centipede for PC - Centipede PC Game - Centipede Computer Game
  5. Staff (February 11, 1999). "The Best of 1998". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Archived from the original on February 3, 2005. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
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