Search? No. Destroy? Yes! (Search & Destroy (PS2))

Member Name: scream4bruce

Product:	Search & Destroy (PS2)
Date:	13/10/08 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 2 players can join in on the blandness

Disadvantages: Long boring levels, 15 of them, anything but a skillful shmup

You'll find the exact same print of the story on the back of the case, in the instruction manual, and on the loading screen (if not the website as well) so you can't miss it. As the game comes on CD, it does take a while to get started - but don't bother!

Whilst it does go down as a Yoko shoot 'em up, meaning there is no adjusting the view as the full screen of the TV used, there is enough in Search & Destroy to suggest that those responsible for the game do not know what makes a shmup tick.

Graphically it's bland. When flying over a snowy level there are what appear to be polar bears but they don't move - such is the motionless backgrounds and uninspired level design. The bullets themselves only have a single colour but those of the player and enemy do differ. However, the bullets are easily disguised by the clouds - about their most ambitious effect - as well as the orange smoke that emanates from the enemy craft when shot, so sometimes you might not see what hit you. Audio-wise, I wouldn't turn that volume up.

The game does have true analog control, and whilst the d-pad is sufficient, the digital controller is not supported! For much of the game, because the ship does not move relative along with the scrolling it is constantly dragged towards the bottom of the screen, the result being the speed of the ship moving forwards/backwards/horizontally are inconsistent with each other. Saying that, the ship is not fast enough to encourage quick dodging, and it does not help that your ship is a huge target!

Search & Destroy is about as stripped-down a shmup can be. Hold the cross button down to fire, evade, and look out for the bonuses - these being the health restoration, a shield, a weapons upgrade and an extra life. That is all, and it does take a while before your craft wields decent enough firepower. As for the magnetic shield surrounding your craft, it makes for an even bigger target, so good luck on dodging anything!

There are no difficulty settings, and whilst the challenge does gradually rise across the fifteen levels - there are safe spots to sit through the first couple, the levels are too long and not enough has been done to make them feel different so they seem to go on forever. There are infinite continues, but the score resumes should you continue, with the bar not exactly set high with regards to beating the preset scores (in fact you can top them well within the first level).

Search & Destroy is a failure to understand what makes a worthwhile game never mind a worthy shmup. A game I am unlikely to finish, not because I got stuck, but because it's boring in the extreme. Not even the 2-player mode is able to double the fun.

Summary: Search & Destroy for PS2