Videogame oddities and peculiar failed experiments

[J T]

I just picked up LifeLine for the Playstation 2. If you don't know what LifeLine is, this game requires that you use a USB microphone or headset. Though you use a standard controller to bring up various maps and menus, you primarily control the game by using your voice and speaking scripts that the game can recognize.

The story is set in the future. You and a woman named Rio are both in a posh space hotel that was recently attacked by alien monsters. You are stuck in the security monitor room, but you can watch Rio through the security cameras and give her verbal instructions to act out. Rio agrees to help you find the woman you love and rescue you if you promise to give her guidance from the monitor room.

I have only played about 30 minutes so far, but I like the game because it has such a unique control concept. Now, the down side is that it can be very tricky to know what exact words you have to say to get the software to recognize what you want it to do. Nevertheless, I was surprised to find that talking to Rio quickly made me feel attached to her character. She looks to the camera and speaks to you and you kind of feel like she is really acknowledging you.

I like games like this that try something totally different, whether it works or not. LifeLine only half works, but the graphics are really nice, the voice acting is decent, and it is genuine novel and when it works right, it's pretty magnificent. I'm wondering if you guys have any other suggestions for peculiar games that tried to do something original (especially in terms of the controls) that really isn't like anything out there.

[Ack]

Hey chief, if you haven't tried it yet, you can use the microphone to make Manhunt even more difficult.

[corn619]

I don't think it needs to be said, but Steel Battalion is about as original as it gets when it comes to controls. As far as failed experiments go I'd put Unlimited SaGa up there. Lifeline is a great game though, despite the control issues.

[Original_Name]

Well, if we're talking games controlled via microphone, Seaman is obligatory.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Hey You Pikachu!

[PGchris]

I think the power glove is the ultimate example of this, man how cool did that thing look in the wiz

[andymol21]

Odama... It just doesn't need the voice control!

I think we may be saying this about Project Natal in a couple of years. Yes it's cool, but we just don't need it, and no game will ever implement it well.

Natal strikes me in exactly the same way EyeToy did when it came out... Cool, but I'm not putting my money down for it until I see some real use for it.

[Dakinggamer87]

I think the power glove is the ultimate example of this, man how cool did that thing look in the wiz

Yeah, no kidding I also think Power Glove fits into this category of failed experiments even though I own it myself...

[J T]

My friend had a power glove when we were growing up. It didn't work well for many games, but I did enjoy Punchout and Rad Racer when I could get the sensors to pick up.

Seaman is a good choice. I've never played it, but I'm aware of what it is.

I've seen several people post their Steel Batallion controllers in the Game Room section of this site, but I've never played it myself. I loved Virtual On in the arcades though and it looks like it might have some similarity in the control style with the duel joysticks.

I've never heard of Odama, I'll have to check that out. I've also never played Hey You Pikachu.


I think Katamari Damacy is another good example of an oddity, though it's not a failure. That game concept works incredibly well, despite being so weird and unusual.

[MrPopo]

Steel Battalion actually controls more like Mechwarrior. The left stick only moves left and right, and it turns your legs. You set the throttle to move at a constant speed. The right stick controls your upper torso, which lets you aim up, down, left, and right. Then there's several buttons for ancillary functions like the windshield wipers or the communications. And there's 6 toggles and three buttons who's only existance is to start up your mech at the start of each mission. Oh, and there's the eject button. If you don't hit it the game deletes your save when you die.