Recoil (video game)

Zipper Interactive

Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	United States
Products	Recoil
Parent	Electronic Arts

Recoil is a vehicular combat video game centered on tank warfare, designed for Microsoft Windows. Players control the experimental "BFT" (Battle Force Tank) as they progress through multiple missions emphasizing weapon acquisition. The title was created by Zipper Interactive, a division of the publisher Electronic Arts, and operates on the same game engine utilized in MechWarrior 3.

Plot

Set in a future where machines have seized control of Earth, the dominant corporation Mega Corp governs both technology and society. By 2010, Mega Corp's software had infiltrated every American computer, disseminating propaganda favoring machine dominance. In 2018, a group of rebellious programmers compromised Mega Corp's AI systems, causing robots and tanks to become deadly autonomous weapons. By May 2019, resistance to this mechanical uprising was scarce. Dr. Raines heads the rebel Alliance and creates a program to manage an experimental tank. Players take command of this tank to fight back against robotic forces and strive to restore human control.

Critical reception

Upon its 1999 launch, Recoil came from Zipper Interactive, then a relatively unknown developer. Released amidst numerous PC titles, the game struggled to gain significant attention. Nonetheless, it achieved moderate reviews according to the aggregator GameRankings. Next Generation praised the game's rapid gameplay but criticized its brief duration, suggesting it might only provide a short-lived entertainment experience over a weekend, which impacted its overall rating.