Introduction

1996. A simpler time when you could play video games without worrying about your social media presence and the worst thing to happen was a pesky Y2K bug. Enter 'Assault Rigs', a vehicular combat game from the illustrious Psygnosis that transports you to a future where virtual sports have outshined traditional ones. Yes, folks, we’re all in on the reality of this future—competing in armored tanks on elaborate, often dangerous courses. It’s like if ‘Wipeout’ and ‘Twisted Metal’ had a baby, and the poor kid came out a bit disoriented. Let’s dive into this digital pandemonium, shall we?

Gameplay

So here’s the gimmick: you, as a tank pilot (let’s just say your main character is named ‘Turbo Tankinator’ for illustrative purposes), zoom around in 42 levels collecting gems and avoiding the explosive embrace of various enemies. Your mission is simple: gather all the shiny little gems, avoid the mines, and persevere through the maelstrom of turrets and aerial viruses (yes, they’re flying viruses, not the computer kind, but still annoying). Did I mention there are four expansive themes? We’re talking VR (not the headset kind, though), Industrial (where even machines have an existential crisis), Military (they’re just here for the guns), and War (the mood, folks). Notably, the game spices things up with 20 weapon power-ups, so get ready to turn your foes into Swiss cheese. Got friends with a second PlayStation? You can hook up and blast each other for additional levels in an alternate multiplayer mode. It's honestly impressive, but don’t expect a shadowy figure like Batman in your games. This is strictly vehicle violence, not character drama. You’ll be too busy dodging bullets and catching virtual gems to care about story arcs, but hey—who needs depth when you can have explosions?

Graphics

Now let's talk visuals. The PlayStation was just coming into its own, and you can feel the developers working hard to push the envelope. The graphics are a delightful 1990s throwback that will make you feel like you’ve popped into a voxelized kaleidoscope of chaos. I mean, if you squint hard enough, you can almost see the polygons sweating as they struggle to keep up while you zip around avoiding mines and shooting turrets. Sure, it lacks the polish of modern titles, but there’s a certain charm to the graphics that brings a nostalgic tear to your eye. Not all games need to be photorealistic, right? Sometimes you just need blocky tanks doing blocky things, while you ask the universe why this was what entertained us in our formative years.

Conclusion

Alright, folks, here’s the lowdown: ‘Assault Rigs’ is like that scrappy underdog at the family reunion who shows up late but still brings the most fun stories. It’s a charming mix of vehicular mayhem and nostalgic graphics that satisfies your craving for tank warfare from the comfort of your couch. Sure, it has its flaws—oversensitive controls, occasional graphical hiccups, and a story that resembles a collage of tank diagrams—but it’s easy to overlook these faults when you’re zipping around like a caffeinated soda can. Personally, I’d give it a solid 6 out of 10. It’s not going to change your life, but it might remind you of a time when gaming was all about fun rather than that latest triple-A title. So, grab that old PlayStation and fire up ‘Assault Rigs’—the future may be virtual, but the fun is oh-so-real!

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