Operation: GAMMA VELORUM, Part 3
Hello, it's me, 14+ years later to say that the 3rd part of this series is likely the best one yet. The other reviews are correct in that this one has even less gameplay than the previous parts, but the gameplay is the weakest thing about the series.
The engines tend to be impressive and original, but a pain to play. This is actually worse in this one where a few of them just toss you into things without really explaining the controls.
However! The game really raises the already high quality of animation. I feel like most boards had something moving beyond just eyes and mouths, and even then those simple facial movements really bring a lot of life to the usually dead feeling static art boards of most ZZT games.
The biggest issue is that the space station docking sequence is very poorly explained and feels like just hoping you press the right keys that happen to let you win. Part 2 didn't leave me looking forward to Part 3. Part 3 definitely left me interested in Part 4.
I still have no idea what the overarching story is though. I have no idea who or what Cor and Meagan will be confronting in Part 4 to "end" whatever's going on.
I usually abstain from numeric scores, but I do want to soften the 2.0 I gave it years ago. In 2002, "ASCII movie" was a detriment, but in 2019 I think OPRGV is a series that tells a simple story and does it quite well and should be recognized as such.
As much as I love this series this one, well was boring. Very boring. I still want to play the 4th, but I hope it picks up in Gameplay. Nothing new at all.
This game is equal to its predecessor in every way in terms of graphical merit and excellence with the use of engines. To tell the truth, refer to my review of the previous game to see my opinions on this one.
But Quantum, be careful. If it's supposed to be game, it needs more gameplay. As brilliantly drawn and written as your cutscenes may be, without involving the player, it's just an ASCII movie.
Still, definitely a four.
