Corpse Killer

Description

Corpse Killer for the SEGA Saturn, released in 1995, is a fascinating title that attempts to combine elements of an interactive movie with an arcade action shooter. Unfortunately, this bold combination doesn't quite live up to its potential, although it does have its bright moments.

The game takes us to an exotic tropical island setting where a soldier, played by J.R. Bookwalter, faces hordes of zombies in an attempt to save his colleagues and himself from the sinister Dr. Hellman. The plot is heavily inspired by horror films of the 80s and 90s, which is evident not only in the storytelling, but also in the visual styling and atmosphere of the game.

In terms of graphics, Corpse Killer uses a technology known as Full Motion Video (FMV), which was very popular in the mid-90s. The gameplay sequences are successful and atmospheric, although they look somewhat dated nowadays. The performances are satisfactory by the standards of games of the time, although they can come across as a little grotesque, which was probably not entirely intended.

The controls are simple, which is typical of FMV games - most of the time is spent aiming and shooting at approaching zombies. You can choose from several weapons to give you a certain tactical element, but the overall gameplay experience can start to feel monotonous after a while. There is a certain repetitiveness that comes with extended play, which is unfortunately one of the game's main flaws.

The sound design is another important aspect. The music in Corpse Killer is set in a horror and jungle setting, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the game. The sound effects are basic but effective, and the dubbing of the characters, while occasionally cheesy, adds a certain cult charm to the game.

Evaluating Corpse Killer objectively is difficult. On the one hand, it's an extremely interesting piece of video game history that dared to experiment with technology and narrative in an unusual way. On the other hand, its gameplay mechanics and technical implementation feel dated today and can be more frustrating than fun for the modern gamer.

Corpse Killer for the SEGA Saturn is a game that can be recommended especially to nostalgics and those interested in video game history. It's a title that hasn't been praised by reviews for its deep story or gameplay mechanics, but which nevertheless has its place in the history of digital entertainment as a showcase of the courage and creativity of 90s developers.