Virgin Interactive Entertainment Incorporated was responsible for the publication of Zone Raiders, a middle nineties driving game. It was developed by Image Space Incorporated and was made specifically with the personal computer running the MS DOS operating system in mind. It has a very friendly ESRB rating, despite its action and fast pace, and is an acceptable driving game for users of any age. The entire game plays from the first person perspective, and appears to have a nice futuristic or science fiction theme, which is always interesting in a driving game.
The graphics are three-dimensional.
Like so many of the futuristic driving games, the catch to Zone Raiders is that it also offers a very heavy dose of combat. The user plays the part of a raider, and the areas within the game are divided into “zones’ to make sorts of missions, hence the game’s title. Within each zone, the user will have a specific objective, such as activating a an item, destroying something, or undertaking a classic fetch quest and retrieving some important item from within the zone. Upon completing the objective, the gamer then has to successfully escape from the zone, which can be more tricky than completing the mission itself. Zone patrols, and of course rival raiders, will do everything within their respective
powers to keep you from completing your objectives.
The user, as well as enemy raiders, will all be driving vehicles that ironically are NOT futuristic. They all resemble makes and models from the middle to the late twentieth century, making them more like blasts from the past. Of course, they have all been enhanced with some cool futuristic properties, such as heavy artillery and hover plates.
Zone Raider offers gamers many different options to keep the game fresh and interesting. There are sixteen different tracks from which to choose, which is a good variety. The gamers have the ability to play a two-player game via a modem, if necessary, and can have up to eight players on a connected network. While it is nice to have a game that is fun to play on your own, it is also wonderful to have the option of including friends and family. Gamers also have a choice of four different cars, and there is one secret, locked car that can be added to the list of options. There are eight different weapons found on the cars, and over two dozen unique enemies to use them on!
