hanks to the success of updates to old arcade games like Centipede,
Frogger and Asteroids, the interactive entertainment industry
believes there's big business in nostalgic videogames. Case in point:
Digital Leisure's DVD reissue of Don Bluth's "classic" Laserdisc animation
videogame, Space Ace. While not quite as well known, or as
lucrative, as its medieval predecessor, Dragon's Lair, Bluth's
Space Ace has always been regarded as an incredible work of art. At
the time of its release, it was heralded as a fusion of the state of the
art in arcade game technology and traditional cell animation.
The story of the game is familiar. Galactic superhero Space Ace must
rescue his girlfriend, Kimberley, who has been kidnapped by the evil
Commander Borf. The madman is attacking Earth with the insidious
Infanto-Ray, which turns all those who are exposed to its power into
helpless children. This will allow Borf to take control of the planet in
one effortless swoop. Unfortunately, Space Ace is also struck by the
Infanto-Ray and immediately is converted into Dexter, Ace's 98-pound alter ego.
Unlike today's conventional, fully interactive videogames, Space Ace
is a fixed-path, linear adventure that asks players to choose one
of four directions or to perform a one-button action at various decision
points. To make things discernibly more difficult than Dragon's Lair,
the decision points come quickly. Additionally, the story of the game
allows players to toggle between the roles of Space Ace and Dexter. This
translates into more opportunities to branch off in new directions
throughout the otherwise restrictive gameplay.
Digital Leisure's Space Ace DVD is a no-frills celebration of
Bluth's science fiction cartoon game that is played using the DVD
remote control. In addition to the game, the disc also
includes illuminating interview footage, promotional clips for other
Digital Leisure DVD games and a "Watch" mode that gives players the
opportunity to follow the Space Ace story from beginning to end.
This mode actually comes in handy because the gameplay of Space Ace
is entirely about memorization.
Not much "ace" about it
Back in 1983, when Space Ace was released into arcades across the
country, the game was indeed a marvel. The elaborate, hand-painted
visuals far outclassed the blocky sprites and chunky worlds of the games of
the time. Now, however, when computer imagery in Dreamcast and PlayStation
2 home videogames can surpass anything seen in Space Ace, sitting
down to play this disc can leave players in an anachronistic depression.
The gameplay of Space Ace is utterly, inexcusably boring. Yes, there
is a sense of urgency throughout the adventure, thanks to skillfully
rendered artwork and some inventive death animations, but the sensation of
playing this "game" is akin to memorizing the answers to a dreary math
quiz. The unavoidable repetitiveness that plagued Laserdisc games in their
short heyday was barely tolerable at the time, but now, when the choice for
compelling, story-driven interactive entertainment has grown exponentially,
there's just no reason to put up with this junk. Even Bluth's championed
animation, the true "reward" on this DVD, comes off looking pallid and
reed-thin next to color-rich modern-day animated classics like A Bug's
Life or Tarzan.
Space Ace barely justifies its $20 price tag by appealing to the
collector and the completist. By offering a better visual experience than
previous CD-ROM interpretations of the game, in addition to the
historically significant interviews with Bluth and Space Ace
co-creator Rick Dyer, the DVD serves as an enduring album. Unfortunately,
the Space Ace menu and navigation screens are as simple and unappealing as
DVD owners are likely to ever see. Additionally, the disc is hampered by
compatibility issues. Interested consumers should insist on a full refund
guarantee before taking this game home to test out on their players. (It
should be noted that the game played flawlessly on a Pioneer DV-414, however.)
Those uninterested in reliving the early '80s videogame revolution or
players with too many great current games to get to should stay well
clear of Space Ace. Archivists and hardcore hobbyists only need apply.
