Game: Assault Rigs| Release: February 1st, 1996| Genre: Vehicular Combat| Publisher: Psygnosis| Developer: Psygnosis

Assault Rigs is a futuristic vehicular combat video game developed and published by Psygnosis for the PlayStation console in 1996. The game was one of the earliest releases for the PlayStation, and as such, it had high expectations to meet in terms of gameplay and graphics.

In Assault Rigs, players control a tank-like vehicle called a “rig” and engage in combat against other rigs in various arenas. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes, with the latter supporting up to four players through split-screen.

Graphically, Assault Rigs was impressive for its time, with 3D graphics that were considered advanced for the PlayStation console. The game’s environments were well-designed, with a futuristic industrial aesthetic that was visually appealing.

In terms of gameplay, Assault Rigs offered a unique experience with its vehicle-based combat mechanics. Players had to navigate their rigs through various obstacles and shoot down enemy rigs while avoiding incoming fire. The controls were intuitive and responsive, making for a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience.

However, the game was not without its flaws. The single-player campaign was short and lacked variety in terms of mission objectives. The AI of enemy rigs was also somewhat lacking, with opponents often following predictable patterns and not offering much of a challenge.

The multiplayer mode was a highlight of the game, offering fast-paced and chaotic battles that were entertaining with friends. However, the split-screen format meant that each player’s view was limited, and the graphics quality was reduced to accommodate multiple players.

Overall, Assault Rigs was a solid early entry in the PlayStation library, offering a unique vehicle-based combat experience with impressive graphics for the time. However, its short single-player campaign and limited AI may make it less appealing to modern gamers, and the split-screen multiplayer mode may not hold up to the standards of today’s online multiplayer games.

Assault Rigs Gameplay

One of the strongest aspects of the gameplay in Assault Rigs is the intuitive and responsive controls. Players can easily navigate their rigs through various obstacles and shoot down enemy rigs while avoiding incoming fire. The rig’s movements feel smooth and natural, making for an enjoyable gameplay experience.

Another positive aspect of the gameplay is the variety of weapons and power-ups available to players. These include homing missiles, plasma guns, and shields, among others. Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses, and players must strategize which weapons to use in different situations.

The multiplayer mode is another highlight of the gameplay, with fast-paced and chaotic battles that are entertaining with friends. Players can engage in split-screen matches with up to four players, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay.

However, there are some flaws in the gameplay that are worth mentioning. The single-player campaign is relatively short and lacks variety in terms of mission objectives. There are only a handful of maps, and some players may find the gameplay to become repetitive after a while.

Additionally, the AI of enemy rigs can be somewhat lacking. Opponents often follow predictable patterns and do not offer much of a challenge, especially on lower difficulty levels.

Overall, the gameplay in Assault Rigs is solid, with intuitive controls and a variety of weapons and power-ups. The multiplayer mode is a particular highlight, offering fast-paced and entertaining battles with friends. However, the short single-player campaign and limited AI may be a drawback for some players. Taking all of this into consideration, I would rate the gameplay in Assault Rigs a 7.5 out of 10.

Assault Rigs Story

The story in Assault Rigs is relatively straightforward and revolves around the player’s role as a pilot of a futuristic combat rig. The rig is designed for military use, and the player must navigate it through various combat scenarios and missions.

However, the story in Assault Rigs is not particularly compelling, and it serves more as a background to the gameplay rather than a central focus. The game does not offer much in terms of character development or plot twists, and the story feels somewhat shallow and underdeveloped.

Additionally, the single-player campaign is relatively short and lacks variety in terms of mission objectives. The missions themselves do not offer much in terms of story progression, and players may find themselves simply going through the motions rather than being fully invested in the narrative.

Overall, the story in Assault Rigs is serviceable but not particularly memorable or engaging. The lack of character development and plot twists makes it feel shallow and underdeveloped, and the focus on gameplay over story may leave some players feeling unsatisfied. Taking all of this into consideration, I would rate the story in Assault Rigs a 4 out of 10.

Assault Rigs Difficulty

The difficulty in Assault Rigs is generally well-balanced, with the game offering a gradual increase in challenge as players progress through the levels. The early levels are relatively easy, giving players a chance to get familiar with the controls and gameplay mechanics. As the game progresses, the difficulty level increases, with more enemies to fight and more challenging objectives to complete.

One of the strengths of the difficulty in Assault Rigs is that it caters to players of all skill levels. Players who are new to the game can start on the easier difficulty levels and gradually work their way up to the harder ones as they become more familiar with the game mechanics. Experienced players can jump right into the harder difficulty levels for a greater challenge.

However, there are some issues with the difficulty in Assault Rigs that are worth mentioning. The AI of enemy rigs can be somewhat lacking, with opponents often following predictable patterns and not offering much of a challenge on lower difficulty levels. Additionally, the game can become repetitive after a while, with similar objectives and environments throughout the levels.

Overall, the difficulty in Assault Rigs is well-balanced and caters to players of all skill levels. The gradual increase in challenge and range of difficulty levels makes the game accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience. However, the lack of variety in objectives and environments may make the game feel repetitive after a while. Taking all of this into consideration, I would rate the difficulty in Assault Rigs a 7 out of 10.

Assault Rigs Graphics

For its time, the graphics in Assault Rigs were impressive, with 3D graphics that were considered advanced for the PlayStation console. The game’s environments were well-designed, with a futuristic industrial aesthetic that was visually appealing. The textures and details of the environments were well-done, creating a sense of immersion in the game’s world.

The rigs themselves were also well-designed, with a range of different models available for players to choose from. The rigs had a realistic look and feel, and the attention to detail in their design was impressive.

However, compared to modern standards, the graphics in Assault Rigs do not hold up as well. The low polygon count and lack of detailed textures can make the game feel somewhat blocky and simplistic, and the limited draw distance can be a hindrance in larger environments.

Additionally, the split-screen format in the multiplayer mode means that each player’s view is limited, and the graphics quality is reduced to accommodate multiple players.

Overall, the graphics in Assault Rigs were impressive for their time, with a well-designed world and attention to detail in the rig models. However, compared to modern standards, the graphics do not hold up as well, with a low polygon count and simplistic textures. Taking all of this into consideration, I would rate the graphics in Assault Rigs a 6 out of 10.

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Assault Rigs Controls

One of the strengths of the controls in Assault Rigs is their intuitive and responsive nature. Players can easily navigate their rig through various environments, and the rig’s movements feel smooth and natural. The controls are easy to learn, and players can quickly become familiar with the gameplay mechanics.

Another positive aspect of the controls is the variety of weapons and power-ups available to players. These can be easily accessed and used during gameplay, adding an extra layer of depth and strategy to the game.

However, there are some issues with the controls in Assault Rigs that are worth mentioning. The rig’s movement can sometimes feel somewhat sluggish, making it difficult to navigate through tight spaces or avoid incoming fire. Additionally, the rig’s turning radius can be somewhat limited, which may make it difficult to aim at targets or avoid obstacles.

Overall, the controls in Assault Rigs are generally intuitive and responsive, with a variety of weapons and power-ups available to players. However, the rig’s movement can sometimes feel sluggish or limited, which may detract from the overall gameplay experience. Taking all of this into consideration, I would rate the controls in Assault Rigs a 7 out of 10.

Assault Rigs Sound

The sound design in Assault Rigs is generally well-done, with a range of sound effects and music that help to create a futuristic, industrial atmosphere. The sound effects for the weapons and rigs are realistic and well-produced, adding to the sense of immersion in the game.

The music in Assault Rigs is also well-done, with a range of techno and industrial tracks that complement the game’s aesthetic. The music changes dynamically throughout the game, responding to the player’s actions and adding to the overall intensity of the gameplay.

However, there are some issues with the sound in Assault Rigs that are worth mentioning. The sound effects for the rigs can sometimes be too loud or overwhelming, which may make it difficult to hear other important sound cues in the game. Additionally, the music can become repetitive after a while, with a limited number of tracks available throughout the game.

Overall, the sound design in Assault Rigs is generally well-done, with realistic sound effects and well-produced music that complement the game’s aesthetic. However, the loudness of some of the sound effects and the repetitive nature of the music may be a drawback for some players. Taking all of this into consideration, I would rate the sound in Assault Rigs a 7 out of 10.

Assault Rigs Overall Rating

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