Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed is a definite must have for any fans of the old TSR/SSI gold box games and probably one of my personal favorites. Unlike its cousins set in the fantasy Dungeons and Dragons realm this game is set in the sci-fi universe of Busk Rogers of the 25th century.
Plot:
I'm not really well versed in the world of Buck Rogers, but fortunately, you don't need to be in order to understand or play this game. This game is the sequel to Countdown to Doomsday and picks up where its story left off.
Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed is a definite must have for any fans of the old TSR/SSI gold box games and probably one of my personal favorites. Unlike its cousins set in the fantasy Dungeons and Dragons realm this game is set in the sci-fi universe of Busk Rogers of the 25th century.
Plot:
I'm not really well versed in the world of Buck Rogers, but fortunately, you don't need to be in order to understand or play this game. This game is the sequel to Countdown to Doomsday and picks up where its story left off. You start the game on a mercurial colony being briefed by Buck Rogers about your first mission. This mission to contact the new sun king and form a diplomatic alliance for NEO (New
Earth Organization) who are trying to rebuild earth. Along the way you encounter a frantic scientist who hands you his research documents before being kidnapped by PURGE (Preventing Unwanted Research and Genetic Engineering) troops. You later learn that these documents are the outlines for a device that has the power to rebuild earth - or destroy it. You set out to rescue the scientist in order to build this device for NEO, while preventing PURGE and RAM (Russo-American Mercantile) from acquiring one. All the while being best from all sides by soldiers, street gangs, indigenous life forms, robots, and genetic mutants.
Game play:
Anyone who knows TSR/SSI will know the basic game play already. But for those of you that don't, the game consists of two basic sections Adventuring and Combat. Adventuring consists of navigating a 3d world (or overhead map). The navigation in this game can be a little frustrating as it is really easy to get turned around in 3d mode, and the overhead maps don't show any doors, terminals, or other things. If you can get past that though, it’s not too bad.
Combat in the TSR games is really what sets it apart from other RPGs. While most games use a turn-based system with static images on a screen, the TSR/SSI games use an overhead grid system which plays almost like a game of chess. You must move and strategically position your characters around the grid to put them in position for attacks, while keeping them out of harms way. This is extremely fun but can also be extremely tiring with the constant random battles. All in all though it’s extremely satisfying, and can get extremely difficult.
There is also the added element of space combat. It’s not really as exciting as it sounds unfortunately. This is more of the traditional RPG combat which takes place on a static screen, your party mans various positions on board you ship and targets the different system of your enemy ship. From what I can remember your ship is static through out the game and for the most part doesn't get any better. This limits your battle capabilities considerably and makes most battles a little repetitive.
A couple random notes about the game play. This game, like all of the gold box games, uses the THAC0 (To Hit Armor Class 0) system. This is the combat system from D&D 2nd edition. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, it can be kind of complicated, and I would suggest you look it up. A basic synopsis though, the LOWER your THAC0 and AC the better.
Also this game does not use magic in any way. In this Sci-Fi world you use technology and machines. So you’re not going to be casting any fireballs or hold person in this game, but you do get Rocket launchers and stun grenades.
Graphics:
What can I really say about the graphics from a game that was made in the early 90s? They were probably low quality, even back then, and wouldn't hold a candle to anything now. But for its credit, it was one of the best looking TSR/SSI games. The question is though, if you’re worried about graphics, what exactly are you doing HERE?
