Summary
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
Total Eclipse: A Space Shooter That Will Set Your Skies Ablaze
Released in 1994, Total Eclipse is a space combat simulator that puts players in the cockpit of Earth’s Stellar Guard fighters in a battle against the invading alien Drak-sai. Developed by DMA Design and published by Psygnosis, Total Eclipse was a critical and commercial success, praised for its intense action, stunning 3D graphics, and innovative gameplay.
Story
The year is 2434. Earth has achieved interstellar travel and has established colonies on distant planets. However, this newfound era of exploration is cut short by the arrival of the Drak-sai, a hostile alien race bent on conquest.
The Earth’s Stellar Guard is the last line of defense against the Drak-sai invasion. As a pilot in the Stellar Guard, players must take to the skies and engage in fierce space combat to protect Earth and its colonies.
Gameplay
Total Eclipse is a fast-paced, action-packed space combat simulator. Players pilot a variety of spacecraft, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The game features a wide range of missions, from escorting cargo ships to destroying enemy bases.
One of the most innovative aspects of Total Eclipse is its use of 3D texture-mapped terrains. This technology allowed DMA Design to create stunningly detailed and realistic environments, which added a new level of immersion to the gameplay.
Total Eclipse also features a robust physics engine that simulates the effects of gravity and inertia. This makes the flight controls feel realistic and challenging, and it adds an extra layer of depth to the combat.
Graphics
For its time, Total Eclipse’s graphics were cutting-edge. The game’s use of 3D texture-mapped terrains was groundbreaking, and it created some of the most visually impressive space combat environments ever seen.
The ships and weapons in Total Eclipse are also beautifully designed. Each ship has its own unique look and feel, and the weapons are all visually distinct. The game’s explosions and other visual effects are also top-notch, adding to the overall intensity of the combat.
Sound
The sound design in Total Eclipse is excellent. The game’s soundtrack is composed of a mix of electronic and orchestral music that perfectly captures the game’s atmosphere. The sound effects are also top-notch, with realistic explosions, weapon fire, and engine noises.
Reception
Total Eclipse was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its intense action, stunning graphics, and innovative gameplay. It was also a pioneer in the use of 3D texture-mapped terrains, which became a staple of space combat simulators in the years that followed.
Total Eclipse has been ranked among the best space combat simulators of all time. It is still enjoyed by many gamers today, and it remains a testament to the creativity and innovation of DMA Design.
Legacy
Total Eclipse had a significant impact on the space combat simulator genre. Its use of 3D texture-mapped terrains set a new standard for graphics in the genre, and its fast-paced, action-packed gameplay inspired many future games.
Total Eclipse also helped to popularize the use of physics engines in space combat simulators. This made the flight controls more realistic and challenging, and it added an extra layer of depth to the gameplay.
Total Eclipse is a classic space combat simulator that still holds up today. Its stunning graphics, innovative gameplay, and intense action make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
