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Review of Machine Head on PlayStation

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Jan 1996
Cover image of Machine Head on PlayStation
Gamefings Score: 6
Platform: PlayStation PlayStation logo
Released: 01 Jan 1996
Genre: First-person shooter
Developer: Core Design
Publisher: Eidos Interactive

Introduction

Ever had one of those days where you just feel like blasting your way through hordes of bad guys-robots, specifically-while spouting off witty one-liners like you're the star in a mediocre '90s action flick? Welcome to 'Machine Head,' the game that knows you, understands you, and then promptly forgets your name because it's too busy trying to be a chaotic good time. This bizarre journey through a futuristic wasteland isn't just about shooting; it's an experience-like that weird taco you regretted the next morning.

Gameplay

You gear up in 'Machine Head,' getting ready for some first-person shooter action that feels like a chaotic playground where no one told the robots that it was 'against the rules' to act like they own the place. A standard gameplay session starts with you controlling a not-so-menacing character, whose motives might as well be listed as 'take out the trash' (aka a ton of bad guys)-which in typical video game logic, just happen to be relentless robots of doom. You'll navigate through various levels, which can easily be described as 'why does everything look the same?' Don't worry; you're not stuck in a time loop. There are just a lot of industrial corridors and metallic interiors that look like a scrap yard had an identity crisis. The weapons are the highlight, where you can pick up everything from basic handguns to futuristic blasters that sound like they carry a nuclear meltdown in every shot. Every encounter with the robots is like an elaborate game of hide and seek-except when you find them, they explode, and it feels oddly satisfying. However, if you're aiming for deep mechanics, you may need to check for a nearby mirror; alas, this game won't reflect anything substantial in that department. Movement feels somewhat sluggish; let's just say that our hero might be wearing concrete boots most of the time, leaving you to wonder if he left his caffeine back in the AI factory.

Graphics

Visually, 'Machine Head' had the audacity to strut its stuff around 1996, sporting graphics that manage to impress in some sporadic scenes, whilst other parts make you squint and question your affection for retro aesthetics. Think of it as biting into an undercooked chocolate brownie. One moment, you're hit with visuals that make you think, 'Wow, this isn't too shabby!' and the next, you're staring at textures that look like they've been smeared in duct tape. The environments are overall a monochromatic spectacle of dull browns and grays, making you feel like you're trapped in an empty gym full of dismembered robots. Not ideal, but don't worry-the action pops like a high school science experiment gone hilariously wrong.

Conclusion

In the end, 'Machine Head' is like that one friend who tells the funniest jokes, but when they try to tell a serious story, you kind of tune out halfway because it drags on. If you're searching for a rich narrative to sink your teeth into, you might want to steer a ship elsewhere. However, if you want a lighthearted way to waste an afternoon with some mediocre shooting and emotional disarray, then 'Machine Head' is here to answer your call with a cheeky wink and a robot explosion. Grab your popcorn-no, literally, because you're going to need it when you experience this retro madness. Score: It's a 6/10, but let's be real, that's just one tiny decimal away from being a 7 in the world of chaotic fun.

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