Viewpoint

Review

by Paul Biondich

Viewpoint was a critical success when it was released on the combination home/arcade NeoGeo system in 1992. It garnered many positive reviewes, and after getting an opportunity to sit down and play it, you can see why this was so. Granted, the gameplay is certainly derivative of a couple games: Zaxxon and Xevious. However, they've added enough new features to make the game enjoyable on it's own merit.

Probably most notable on first examination of the game, especially if you're familiar with NeoGeo, is the 3D nature of the gameplay elements. Some of them are in fact vector based polygon objects, which adds a different feel to this game compared to most other NeoGeo games of that time period. Graphics overall, for that matter are extremely sharp and detailed.. they really have a quality three dimensional appearance.

Gameplay is also very strong, as the actual speed of the game is very fast paced, and there is a tremendous amount of interactive elements to keep the action interesting and novel. Some levers you hit will crank open doors, some walls need to be destroyed in order to pass, etc. The graphical effects that occur when you trigger these events, are convincing and fun to uncover.

Difficulty levels however tend to become somewhat prohibitive as you play through the game. I might almost say that the game is overly difficult in spots where there are simply too many things to do at once. Overall however, this game is well worth any gameplayers time, as there is some tremendous gameplay value, and just as much replay value in this gem of a title for the NeoGeo system.