Mass Destruction (video game)

Mass Destruction is a 1997 third-person action game developed by NMS Software Ltd.[2] and published by ASC Games and BMG Interactive. Released for MS-DOS,[3] the Sega Saturn,[4] and the PlayStation,[5] the game puts players in control of a tank, and tasks them with destroying enemy forces.[6] It has often been likened to Return Fire.[7][8][9]

Mass Destruction
Developer(s)NMS Software Ltd.
Publisher(s)ASC Games and BMG Interactive
Platform(s)MS-DOS, Saturn, PlayStation
ReleasePlayStation
  • NA: September 30, 1997
  • EU: November 1997
PC
Saturn
  • JP: November 20, 1997
  • NA: December 31, 1997
  • EU: 1997
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

The MS-DOS version was developed first, with the console versions following later.[2] BMG Interactive initially stated that the game would be retitled "Tank" for its European release,[2] but the game ultimately retained its original title of Mass Destruction on all releases. BMG closed down its U.S. operations shortly before the game was to be released,[10] and subsequently sold the U.S. publication rights for Mass Destruction to ASC Games.[11]

Gameplay

Mass Destruction is a single-player only game.[12] The player takes control of a tank, which is viewed from an overhead perspective, and undertakes various missions in which the objective is to destroy a specific object in their environment, while avoiding being killed by the enemy forces. The player chooses from three models of tank: one which moves fast but has weak armor, one which moves slow but has heavy armor, and one which is a moderate mix of both assets.[13] The tank has a selection of weapons, some with limited ammunition. The gun turret can be rotated independently of the tank's movement, allowing the player to proceed in one direction while firing in another.[12]

In addition to a primary objective, each mission has optional secondary objective which award the player bonus points if completed.[13]

Reception
Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM6.25/10 (PS1)[4]
6.75/10 (SAT)[4]
GameSpot7.3/10 (DOS)[14]
7.9/10 (PS1)[15]
Next Generation (SAT)[16]
PC Gamer (US)76% (DOS)[3]
Saturn Power71% (SAT)[17]
Sega Saturn Magazine87% (SAT)[18]

While some reviewers described the game as "simplistic" and "mindless",[4][17][6] most found its stripped-down action enjoyable.[4][15][16][3][18][19][20] The lack of a multiplayer option was widely criticized.[4][17][18] GamePro said the missions eventually become somewhat monotonous, but the game is "uninhibited destructive fun that's worth at least a shot as a weekend rental."[20] Next Generation similarly stated that "MD is a solid, beautiful, and fun game to play, but only if played in short, controlled bursts."[16] James Price of Saturn Power criticized that much less strategy is required to survive missions than in similar games such as Soviet Strike,[17] while Lee Nutter argued in Sega Saturn Magazine that Mass Destruction is intended as a game of achieving high scores rather than simple completion of the campaign.[18] Jeff Gerstmann commented in GameSpot, "The mission-based gameplay brings a method to the madness, but one still gets the happy feeling of cruising around aimlessly in a tank and blowing up as many things as possible, friend or foe."[15]

Though most reviewers did not compare versions of the game, three of Electronic Gaming Monthly's four reviewers scored the Saturn version higher than the PlayStation version, saying it has much sharper graphics and shorter load times.[4] Next Generation said the Saturn version has better control and animation effects, though they noted it lacks the building transparencies seen in the PlayStation version.[16]

References
  1. Staff (November 11, 1997). "Now Shipping". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on February 18, 1998. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
    "ASC Games has begun shipping its action title Mass Destruction."
  2. "Tank: It's Monster Mechanised Mayhem!". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 11. Emap International Limited. September 1996. p. 16.
  3. Williamson, Colin (May 1998). "Mass Destruction". PC Gamer US. Archived from the original on March 12, 2000. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  4. Elliot, Shawn; Hsu, Dan; Richards, Kelly; Kujawa, Kraig (December 1997). "Review Crew: Mass Destruction". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 101. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 21, 1998. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  5. Elliot, Shawn; Hsu, Dan; Richards, Kelly; Kujawa, Kraig. "Mass Destruction (PlayStation)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on January 21, 1998. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  6. Shamma, Tahsin (January 14, 1998). "Mass Irritation". Computer Gaming World. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  7. "NG Alphas: Mass Destruction". Next Generation. No. 23. Imagine Media. November 1996. p. 170.
  8. "E3: Mass Destruction". GamePro. No. 95. IDG. August 1996. p. 49.
  9. "Mass Destruction: Makes Libya Look like Sunday School". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 89. Ziff Davis. December 1996. pp. 280–1.
  10. "Cleaning Time: Corporations Slim Down". Next Generation. No. 31. Imagine Media. July 1997. p. 23.
  11. "In the Studio". Next Generation. No. 32. Imagine Media. August 1997. p. 19.
  12. Nutter, Lee (April 1997). "Tank-Tastic!". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 18. Emap International Limited. pp. 42–46.
  13. "Mass Destruction: Learn to Love the Smell of Hot Napalm". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 95. Ziff Davis. June 1997. p. 82.
  14. East, Mark (January 15, 1998). "Mass Destruction Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  15. Gerstmann, Jeff (March 6, 1998). "Mass Destruction Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  16. "Finals". Next Generation. No. 36. Imagine Media. December 1997. p. 168.
  17. Price, James (June 1997). "Review: Mass Destruction". Saturn Power. No. 1. Future plc. p. 73.
  18. Nutter, Lee (April 1997). "Review: Mass Destruction". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 18. Emap International Limited. pp. 70–71.
  19. Scary Larry (June 1997). "Saturn ProReview: Mass Destruction". GamePro. No. 105. IDG. p. 74.
  20. Dr. Zombie (December 1997). "PlayStation ProReview: Mass Destruction". GamePro. No. 111. IDG. p. 168.
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