Mazer (1995)

Summary

Release Year: 1995
Genres: Shooter
Platforms: 3DO Interactive Multiplayer

Mazer (1995): A Top-Down Shooter Classic

Released in 1995, Mazer is a top-down shooter game developed by The Edge and published by Apogee Software. The game is set in a futuristic world where the Earth has been invaded by an alien race known as the Semag-Resal. The player takes control of one of four soldiers tasked with liberating the planet from the alien invaders.

Mazer is a challenging and rewarding game that features a variety of levels, enemies, and weapons. The game’s top-down perspective gives the player a clear view of the battlefield, and the controls are simple and responsive. Mazer also features a variety of power-ups that can help the player to defeat the aliens, including health packs, ammo, and new weapons.

One of the things that makes Mazer so unique is its enemy AI. The aliens in Mazer are not mindless drones; they are intelligent and adaptive. They will flank the player, take cover, and use a variety of weapons and tactics to try to defeat the player. This makes Mazer a much more challenging and rewarding game than many other top-down shooters of the era.

Mazer was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best top-down shooters ever made. The game’s challenging gameplay, varied level design, and memorable soundtrack have made it a favorite among fans of the genre.

Gameplay

Mazer is a top-down shooter game in which the player controls one of four soldiers tasked with liberating Earth from the alien invaders. The player must fight their way through a variety of levels, each of which is filled with enemies and obstacles. The player can use a variety of weapons to defeat the aliens, including guns, grenades, and rockets.

The player’s character can also collect power-ups that can help them to defeat the aliens. These power-ups include health packs, ammo, and new weapons. The player can also find hidden areas in the levels that contain valuable items.

Levels

Mazer features a variety of levels, each with its own unique challenges. The levels are set in a variety of locations, including cities, forests, and deserts. The player must use their skills and weapons to defeat the aliens and complete each level.

Enemies

Mazer features a variety of enemies, each with its own unique abilities and weaknesses. The player must learn how to defeat each type of enemy in order to progress through the game. The enemies in Mazer include:

Grunts: The most common type of enemy in Mazer. Grunts are armed with guns and grenades.
Cyborgs: Cyborgs are more powerful than grunts, and they are armed with a variety of weapons.
Tanks: Tanks are heavily armored vehicles that can fire powerful shots.
Bosses: Bosses are the most powerful enemies in Mazer. Each boss has its own unique abilities and weaknesses.

Weapons

The player can use a variety of weapons to defeat the aliens in Mazer. The weapons in Mazer include:

Pistol: The pistol is the player’s starting weapon. It is a weak weapon, but it is accurate and has a high rate of fire.
Shotgun: The shotgun is a powerful weapon that can kill enemies in a single shot. However, it has a short range and a slow rate of fire.
Machine gun: The machine gun is a rapid-fire weapon that can quickly kill enemies. However, it is inaccurate and has a low magazine capacity.
Rocket launcher: The rocket launcher is a powerful weapon that can destroy groups of enemies. However, it is slow to reload and has a limited number of rockets.

Power-Ups

The player can find a variety of power-ups in Mazer that can help them to defeat the aliens. The power-ups in Mazer include:

Health packs: Health packs restore the player’s health.
Ammo: Ammo refills the player’s ammo supply.
New weapons: New weapons can be found in hidden areas in the levels.

Legacy

Mazer has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, Mac, Amiga, and Sega Genesis. The game has also been released on GOG.com and Steam.

Mazer has inspired a number of other games, including the popular indie game Broforce. Broforce is a top-down shooter game that features a variety of characters from action movies and video games.

Conclusion

Mazer is a classic top-down shooter that still holds up today. The game’s challenging gameplay, varied level design, and memorable soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you are looking for a classic top-down shooter to play, then Mazer is the game for you.

Review Score

7.5/10