I've only just seen todays game due to a problem with my internet browser.I thought there wasn't a game until nearly five hours after the game was first given away (due to the problem), so today's review is just a few thoughts on the game as well as some alternatives that can be found elsewhere on these forums. :)
When you boot up the game you can adjust the visual parameters of the game via the first options menu which is mainly devoted to graphics with three simple options normal good or perfect. You can tweak these by using the advanced options that allow you to toggle off several special effects such as rocket trails, sparkles, lens flare animated lights and more. you've also got anisotropic filtering, anti aliasing, motion blur and a few others. there’s also the option to use a joystick with this game.
Clicking on the Start button takes you to the main menu where you can further adjust the game through the second options menu which gives you the usual music and sound options as well as some control options. The game is controlled primarily by the mouse. On starting a game you are given the choice of four difficulty levels starting at novice through to veteran. Apart from the enemy coming at you a little faster there didn't seem much difference between any of difficulty levels, though I only played to level four in both novice and veteran.
The game is okay, but I doubt I would purchase it (If I had to) because there are better freeware alternatives in my opinion. Check out the following thread in the forums where you'll find a fantastic abandon ware title called Universal combat which you could say is the big brother to today’s giveaway. It's got better graphics and the game play is far better, though it is a large download which for those on dial up it may take all day to download; though in my opinion it's well worth it. See the notes section below for a link to universal combat and links to some video footage and a strategy guide. The link below takes you to a treasure trove of links for all types of space shooters, some freeware, some abandon ware, or online games and lots from Gametop that you'd normally pay nearly $20 for:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2724?replies=17
Today’s game is a 3D space shooter where the spaceship you control is stationary within the sphere of action that you can see. You use the mouse (or Joystick) to turn in any direction you wish and use the left mouse button to fire your weapon. Personally I got bored after trying the game for the first four levels (twice I two different difficulty settings). There doesn't appear to be any power ups or ship upgrades, but you may very well get these later in the game. I think unless you're into space shooters this may be a little bit of a disappointment. I give it 6 out of 10 for reasonable playability and decent enough graphics, though as someone pointed out above, they look a little 90's. I'd try it and see. If you think its okay, then I'd certainly download Universal Combat.
notes
Universal Combat (445Mb:
This Space shooter /strategy game was made abandonware by it's developer several weeks ago. It’s quite a large download compared to all the other games here, but then it’s got a lot more going for it. Check out the video links below to see whether you fancy getting this great game:
Download:
http://files.filefront.com/Universal+Combat+Full+Free+Game/;9367664;/fileinfo.html
Strategy Guide/game manual:
http://files.filefront.com/UniversalCombat+Manualszip/;9371366;/fileinfo.html
Videos:
http://www.universalcombatgame.com/images/uc_movie_11-18-03-01.wmv
http://www.universalcombatgame.com/images/uc_movie_11-18-03-02.wmv
http://www.universalcombatgame.com/images/uc_movie_11-18-03-03.wmv
http://www.universalcombatgame.com/images/uc_movie_11-18-03-04.wmv
http://www.universalcombatgame.com/images/uc_movie_11-18-03-05.wmv