1993 Space Machine is a side-scrolling shoot em ‘up game that was originally designed for the Amiga System. The game was finally released 23 years later in 2016 for PC, under the name 1993 Space Machine. Visually, aurally, gameplay-wise, brimming with charm and personality, this game may be a historical artefact but it still packs one hell of a punch.
The game hits the mark in terms of retro shmups with nostalgic looking visuals, a decent soundtrack and satisfying gameplay and upgrades. The colour palette was also on par with Xenon 2: Megablast with a bit of The Chaos Engine chucked in for good measure.
The action in 1993 Space Machine is decent, and the ship manoeuvrability is tight. Most of 1993: Space Machine is spent feeling desperate and with a constant sense of being humiliated. The fact that it crashed so much was a damper, but the fundamental experience was mostly enjoyable and worth a further look for genre fans.
The game can be completed within just over an hour or so, but has the replay value in unlocking the weapons and ships and elusive achievements such as dying precisely 42 times in a campaign.
In conclusion, 1993 Space Machine hits the mark in terms of retro shmups with nostalgic looking visuals, a decent soundtrack and satisfying gameplay and upgrades. The fact that it crashed so much was a damper, but the fundamental experience was mostly enjoyable and worth a further look for genre fans.
REVIEW : Gimmick! Special Edition (PC)
