| Omega Chase | |
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| Developer | Christopher Tumber |
| Publisher | Freeware |
| Release Date | 1998 |
| Genres | Multi-directional shooter Simulation |
| Modes | Single player 1-2 players simultaneous |
| Media | ROM file only |
| Related titles | Omega Chase Deluxe Omega Chase Deluxe - Collector's Edition |
Background
Omega Chase (non-deluxe version) is the predecessor to Omega Chase Deluxe and was a download only version of the game. While there are a number of differences between Omega Chase and Omega Chase Deluxe, Omega Chase is included on Omega Chase Deluxe along with the game Zap. The main difference between the two versions of the game is that with Omega Chase, the enemies travel in only one direction around the center of the track, but in Omega Chase Deluxe, the enemies travel from both sides simultaneously. Creator Christopher Tumber felt there was no need to release the original file on cartridge as it was included on the compilation of the game.
Omega Race was an arcade game where players flew around a limited playfield while destroying objects. Unlike many other games where collisions with walls would destroy a player's (/s') ship, players could bounce off of walls in Omega Race. Omega Chase is a clone of Omega Race (see Trivia).
Gameplay
The player(s) controls a ship in the Omega System. Fighters, Escorts and Freighters attack their ship and it's the player's job to destroy them first. They must avoid mines left by enemies and be careful when thrusting around the walls. Collision with either the enemies or their mines will result in losing a life.
A game will begin with several non-moving Freighters and one Escort that moves and shoots and leaves behind Mines. Once an Escort is destroyed, another Freighter will turn into an Escort and begin moving, shooting and leaving behind Mines. If left idle for too long, an Escort will turn into a Fighter, moving the quickest and firing in erratic patterns, making it the most dangerous of all targets. Once all Escorts and/or Fighters are destroyed the level will end and the next level will begin.
Difficulty increases includes an increasing arsenal of enemy ships that move faster and more Escorts will begin appearing at the start of a level (being two maximum onscreen at once).
Scoring
- Mine--0 points
- Freighter--5 points
- Escort--25 points
- Fighter--50 points
- Extra ship--every 500 points
Controls
Main Menu
- Begin game-button one
- Choose between one or two players-left and right on joystick or D-pad
In-game
- Rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise-joystick or D-pad
- Rotate counter-clockwise-button one (on one version; see Trivia)
- Rotate clockwise-button two
- Thrust-button three
- Fire-button four
- Skip new level intro-any button
Trivia
- Omega Chase was Christopher Tumber's first full game.
- There are three versions of the game: Omega Chase, where enemies only attack in one direction; Omega Chase Deluxe, where enemies attack from both directions; and Omega Chase Deluxe - Collector's Edition, where the player is supplied with infinite lives.
- Omega Chase was released on Christopher Tumber's 30th Birthday.
- At least one version of the game has controls configured that allow players to use either the buttons or joystick to control their ship. Not all versions allow for this, as at least one version uses the joystick only for ship rotation.
- There are several differences with Omega Race, as that game only had one track. With every level, the center barrier changes shape, as well as the outer walls, which that area can get smaller or larger. The center barrier was also constantly visible, unlike with Omega Chase, which disappears once players start a new level. Omega Race also did not have a 2 players simultaneous option, just a 1-2 players alternating turns option.
Links
- Click on the Tabber below for a review.
Review
I played the original Omega Race at a local arcade from back in the day. Even though being the self-admitted (obviously!) vector freak that I am, I never thought it was that great of a game (but then, maybe I need to play it again years later?), as I'd just play a game of it and then move onto something else.
Now, this homebrew clone really improves on the game's basics, expands on them, and ends up blowing it away.
First off, the game's fun enough as it is, and then having the center barrier and track change with every level was a really good idea. This is what Ms. Pac-Man was to Pac-Man: the original was great enough as it was, but changing mazes every other level even possibly topped the original. And having two players simultaneous is something the original didn't have (it was alternating turns on that version). Hopefully I'll update this review and say how much fun that is with another person once I try that out.
The graphics and sounds are only ok for the most part, as the "downer" sound when you earn an extra life sounds like you did something wrong and you had a deduction from your score or something. There's also a bug when enemy ships sometimes pass through walls. Controls respond well but it can be difficult to get the exact firing angle you want.
Still, this is a pretty good clone, even though the invisible walls deal can be annoying. I look forward to Tumber re-releasing the Collector's Edition at some point (he said he might do that) so I can get the version where you can steer using controller buttons (the one I have doesn't allow it) and you have to deal with enemies that go in two directions, rather than ones that just play follow the leader here.
7.5/10
(review by Darrylb500)