V2000, despite being a relative failure commercially, was nominated for numerous computer gaming awards, including the 1998 BAFTA Awards “best game.” It is a very challenging space shooter that was based on a game that was released a decade previously called Virus. Published by Grolieer Interactive after Development by Frontier Developments Limited, V2000 hit the markets in late summer of 1998. It is in the third person perspective and features a cool space theme. It is considered an action game, being a space shooter, and was also ported to the original Playstation.
As with its predecessor, V2000 sees the universe at the mercy of a strange alien race who is using a virus to corrupt and possess the creatures of numerous different worlds. They have linked the worlds together, and numerous hives have begun to develop on planets and heavenly bodies all across the galaxy. It will be the user’s job to pilot an aggressive space fighter, track down and kill the aliens, and rescue any innocent people that still survive in their wake.
There are thirty levels in V2000, each increasing in difficulty. Within the thirty levels are six unique worlds that have seen infestation by the parasitic aliens. The user will have to save each world, level by level. The game’s controls are totally mouse driven, and
are a bit tricky to master at first. V2000 is not recommended for beginning gamers, because the mouse-based controls will only irritate them after watching their ship crash countless times in succession. However, experienced gamers or those patient enough to hang in there with V2000 will soon find the mouse to be an extension of their own arms. Still, the game is challenging and will require some pretty intensive reflex action in order to survive. Fortunately, the user will be able to pick up some nice power-up items, most of which improve the ship’s fire power, or change the ballistic to something more useful in given situations. Many of the power-ups are new to the game, and were not featured in the original Virus.
In short, V2000 is a nice little shooter, although very difficult at first. The power-ups are as much fun to find as they are to use, and the gamer will really see some shrapnel fly if he selects the right one. The game is not unlike Thrust or Lunar Lander, and many fans of the space shooter are going to love this game for its intensive game play and surprisingly good graphics for its age.
