Gaming Target - Game Boy: Dark Arena

Written by Matt Swider on March 18, 2003

Review: Copy Like nO oNe Else

Though many never thought the system would be capable of one, the Game Boy Advance is up to three first-person shooters in less than a year on the market, one of the being Doom. Many of you are sure to remember the endless number of clones that the Doom series brought to the PC, and just like a decade ago, the same is coming to be on the Game Boy Advance. Unfortunately for Dark Arena, it has been released fourth in the series of Game Boy Advance shooters even though it was first one announced. By falling behind in the release schedule it has been subjected to comparison with the other fps titles. It does however remain a somewhat solid title in most respects.

Out of all the first-person shooting titles on Game Boy Advance, Dark Arena seems to look and feel most like Doom Ц well, except for Doom itself. Taking fine notes from the leader of the pack deosn't prove to be such a bad idea though. In taking on the role of Special Operations Officer Bradshaw, players must escape from the training facility of Dark Arena which has been overrun by robotic and mutated experiments. It's your job to blast through 20 missions with nine different weapons of mass destruction. There's a bit of puzzle solving to reach the end of each level, but the game is more true to classic shooters in focusing on plowing down enemies in the way.

Dark Arena seems much like Doom in its game design and visuals, giving off an excellent look throughout each level. Anyone who has been playing Doom for Game Boy Advance may experience a bit of Deju Vu here. In the Dark Arena's defense, the game appears to be more bright and easy to see than its peers. As a known problem on Game Boy Advance, the screen remains clear when in the light, more so than Doom. Enemy types match up to be the same and the look of certain area seems very similar. Like in Doom, major pixelization abounds. However, a bit more detail in each monster can be made out when drawn closer to them. No matter how close you compare it to the likes of Doom, Dark Arena still presents some top-notch graphics.

Sound wise, things don't go they way most would want, especially when it comes to the in-game tunes. The menus contain some great beats and excellent music and you'd expect the in game music to be just as good, if not better. However, instead of being just as good, it just isn't there. That's right, no music throughout the game to hear, and that makes the game eerie if you ask me. There is a voice in the game that hints with game direction like when you're low on health or come across a new weapon. These voice samples aren't stunning, but at least the break the silence. Gunshots and the grunt of enemies can be heard throughout, adding a nice touch, yet don't supply the game with enough to fill the audio department alone. We were citing Doom for not being able to judge enemies whereabouts when hearing their commotion, but it seems here we won't need to worry about that.

Alas, sound isn't the core function of shooters, only a helpful support. Usually it's the controls, which Dark Arena keeps simple and effective. The right and left shoulder buttons allow you to strafe, helping players easily blast enemies behind walls. A fires your weapon and B activates doors, while select scrolls through the nine weapons. Also the game offers some impressive speed, unlike Doom, which felt more sluggish at times. However it does allows you to run through enemies' bodies as somewhat of a flaw.

The downfall of controlling Dark Arena comes when you're looking to target an enemy above you. The problem is that there is no aiming function. You can't crouch or jump either. At least Doom has a valid excuse for this as the PC original predated the function. Here it is the way of the game, making the controls simple without the need for an extra button. Now you're able to charge each room and blast away.

Dark Arena's AI is rather flat when coming across a lone enemy. You don't take much damage when hit, and therefore, a single monster is no match. However, when there's a hoard of mutated enemies in a room, you'll have to do your work and mow them downЧafter all, that's what the game's all about.

The last aspect of the game is multiplayer, which requires each of the up to four players to own a cartridge of the game. While the deathmatch option causes slowdown at some points, it happens to be one of the best segments in the game.