Dark Side (video game)
| Industry | Video game development and publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Dark Side, Driller, Total Eclipse, The Sphinx Jinx, Castle Master, Castle Master II: The Crypt |
Dark Side is a 1988 video game released by Incentive Software for multiple systems, including the Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, IBM PC compatible computers, ZX Spectrum, and Sharp MZ-800. Serving as the follow-up to Driller, the narrative takes place on Tricuspid, the second moon of Evath.
Plot
The storyline unfolds on Tricuspid, an extraterrestrial satellite orbiting Evath, where a terrorist faction called the Ketars has seized control of key installations. They have constructed Zephyr One, an enormous beam weapon designed to annihilate Evath. Players step into the role of a covert government operative assigned to disable this weapon by targeting and destroying Energy Collection Device (ECD) columns that supply power to the beam.
Gameplay
Gameplay involves utilizing beam weaponry integrated into a jetpack-equipped pressure suit to sequentially eliminate ECDs while navigating through various hazards. Each ECD regenerates unless the previous one in the sequence is destroyed. The game imposes a time constraint linked to Zephyr One’s charge level; dismantling ECDs effectively slows this charge, thereby prolonging available playtime.
Presented from a first-person perspective via the suit’s helmet HUD featuring a targeting reticle, players traverse the environment on foot or by jetpack. The suit's energy stores power both defensive shields and propulsion fuel; depletion of shields leaves the player vulnerable to damage, and fuel is necessary for movement. Players must strategically manage resources by utilizing recharge stations and energy converters to maintain shield strength and fuel levels.
Enemies
Opposition includes various hostile units such as tanks and airborne turrets intended to impede progress and drain the suit’s energy reserves. While most adversaries can be swiftly eliminated, flying turrets increase in number as the player’s energy diminishes.
Development
Dark Side was the second game developed using the Freescape engine, which allowed fully three-dimensional environments composed of filled polygons and offered unrestricted player movement. This technology enabled vertical looking up and down as well as horizontal rotation—features that were rare in 3D titles of that era. The same engine powered other games like Total Eclipse, The Sphinx Jinx, Castle Master, and Castle Master II: The Crypt.
Reception
The ZX Spectrum edition of Dark Side garnered high praise from critics, including a 9 out of 10 score from Sinclair User. It also received numerous industry honors such as Crash Smash, SU Classic, Megagame, and Mastergame awards from prominent gaming magazines.