Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Arcade, Racing, Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Arcade, Atari ST/STE
- Publishers: Domark Software, Tengen
Hydra (1990)
Hydra is an action-packed speedboat racing game released in 1990 for the Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS. The game was developed by Thalion Software and published by Psygnosis.
In Hydra, you play as a speedboat racer who has been recruited by the government to deliver parts of a secret weapon to bases at the finish of each section. However, the enemy knows you’re coming, and they’ll be shooting at you every step of the way.
You’ll race down narrow swamp lanes, dodging enemy fire and collecting crystals to boost your speed or shields. You can also shoot back at your enemies with Uzi Cannons and Nukes.
Hydra is a challenging game, but it’s also a lot of fun. The action is fast-paced and exciting, and the graphics are impressive for their time. If you’re a fan of speedboat racing games, then you need to check out Hydra.
Gameplay
Hydra is a top-down speedboat racing game. The player controls a speedboat and must race through a series of levels, collecting crystals and avoiding enemy fire. The levels are set in a variety of environments, including swamps, rivers, and oceans.
The player’s speedboat is equipped with a variety of weapons, including Uzi Cannons and Nukes. The player can use these weapons to destroy enemy boats and obstacles. The player can also collect crystals to boost their speed or shields.
The game is divided into a series of levels. Each level has a different objective, such as collecting a certain number of crystals or reaching the finish line within a certain time limit.
Graphics
The graphics in Hydra are impressive for their time. The game uses a variety of colors and shading to create a realistic and detailed world. The boats and environments are all well-rendered, and the water effects are particularly impressive.
Sound
The sound in Hydra is also very good. The game features a variety of sound effects, including the sound of gunfire, explosions, and engine noises. The music is also very good, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and excitement.
Controls
The controls in Hydra are simple and easy to learn. The player uses the arrow keys to control the speedboat and the spacebar to fire weapons. The player can also use the mouse to control the camera.
Difficulty
Hydra is a challenging game, but it’s also fair. The player is given a variety of weapons and power-ups to help them through the levels. However, the enemy AI is also very good, and the player will need to be careful not to get overwhelmed.
Longevity
Hydra is a relatively short game, but it’s very replayable. The player can try to beat their previous best time or try to collect all of the crystals in each level. There are also a variety of secret areas to discover.
Overall
Hydra is a great speedboat racing game that is still fun to play today. The graphics are impressive, the sound is good, and the controls are simple to learn. The game is also challenging but fair, and it has a lot of replayability. If you’re a fan of speedboat racing games, then you need to check out Hydra.
Review Score
8/10
Pros
- Fast-paced and exciting action
- Impressive graphics for their time
- Simple and easy to learn controls
- Challenging but fair gameplay
- A lot of replayability
Cons
- Relatively short
- Can be difficult at times
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
