Disruptor (computer game)

Disruptor
Studio	Insomniac Games
Publisher	Vivendi Universal Games ( Activision Blizzard )
Erstveröffent- lichung	November 20, 1996 December 6, 1996 April 11, 1997
platform	PlayStation
genre	Ego shooter
control	Gamepad
medium	CD-ROM
language	English , German
Age rating	USK

Disruptor is a video game in the first person shooter genre that was released for the PlayStation in1996. This game was the first development of the US company Insomniac Games and was published by Vivendi Universal Games . In addition, Disruptor receivedgood reviews in video game magazines and online platforms.

Gameplay

General

The player slips into the role of Jack Curtis. As a recruit to the LightStormers Corps, the task is to overcome 13 levels . The player will start each level from the base in the area of operation teleported . These areas are mostly located on other planets such as Mars or Jupiter . The player has to fulfill certain tasks, which consist of collecting objects on the one hand and destroying certain objects on the other. The player has physical weapons (a total of nine weapons) and, through a brain implant, so-called psionic abilities , which make it possible to kill opponents without physical weapons. This force is measured by psionic points obtained during the game. If the player uses a psionic ability, psionic points are deducted after each use. At the end of a mission, a summary appears with details of the hits and the success rate (completion of the entire level).

The first three levels function as training, the player should become familiar with the use of weapons and his skills, it is also important to master the controls in the game, such as jumping from platforms, without falling to your death . The other levels in the game are the serious bets.

A cutscene with real actors is played between each level and is intended to bring the current action closer to the player.

The game also has a practice mode in which the player can complete five missions.

It is also possible to play this game without an existing memory card , as each time a level is reached, a code appears in the form of the controller buttons on the PlayStation to get back to where the player left off. The code is entered via the main menu .

Level design

In general, the level design is varied among each other. The player is teleported to planets (Mars, Jupiter), sent through cave systems or laboratories. Even a kind of "dream world" has to be passed without weapons and only with a few psionic skills. The areas of application include Mars, Jupiter, Antarctica , chemical plants , sulfur mines and a space station .

weapons

Physical weapons

In the course of the game, the player receives up to seven different weapons (18 mm pistol / automatic, AM blaster, pursuit gun, AM cyclone, repeater gun) and two rare weapons (plasma lance, zodiac). These two (in the game so-called “illegal weapons”) are used according to percentage and once used and can be found in secret hiding spots. The standard weapon is the 18 mm pistol or the 18 mm automatic. More weapons can be found in the course of the game with newer opponents.

Psionic powers

In addition to his physical arsenal, the player receives psionic powers. These powers build up later in the game and you have a greater number of psionic abilities. A point system means that the use of these forces consumes points, which in turn can generate psi points through a certain psionic attack technique (called “drain” in the game). If you use the Drain action on an opponent, he leaves an energy ball. These appear for eight seconds and the player has the opportunity to collect them in order to upgrade the points system. The number of these balls depends on the attack strength of the respective opponent. In total, the player receives six psionic skills.

Psionic power	effect	Use of points
shock	Melee technique	5 points
Drain	Weak technique, but important for upgrading psionic points
cure	The player gets back 20% of the life points (per healing)	20 points
sign	Protection from opponents, as long as you keep the button pressed and as long as the player has psionic points
Blast	Powerful force that eliminates multiple enemies in the vicinity	25 points
Terablast	Upgrading the blast, this power allows it to be deployed through walls

Participation

developer

Insomniac Games
Ted Price
Craig Stritt

Universal Interactive Studios
Rob Biniaz
Mark Cerny

Music
David Bergeaud

Actor ( cutscene )

Jack Curtis (player) - Don Jeffcoat
Blake Curtis - Anthony Palermo
Troy Alexander - Trae Thomas
President Krieger - Vaughn Armstrong
Eve - Christine Champion

reception

Rating in game magazines

Overall, Disruptor received positive reviews and is now even considered a classic . The game received an average rating of 80% on GameRankings , with six reviews (see table) included in this rating. The game received 82 out of 100 points on MobyGames .

Reviews	date	rating
HonestGamer	11/2005	9/10
Electric Playground	04/2004	8.5 / 10
IGN	01/1997	8/10
EGM	06/2003	7.5 / 10
GameSpot	12/1996	7/10
Absolute PlayStation	11/1996	8/10

Criticism of the application

The game sparked discussion before it was released , as a promotional image featured a teddy bear with an oversized bullet hole in its stomach. It was a motif published by Activision .

Web links

• Insomniacgames website
• Screenshots and information at MobyGames

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Overview of the release date of Disruptor. Mobygames.com, accessed September 12, 2014 . 
2. ↑ GameRankings Review: Test "Disruptor". Gamerankings.com, accessed September 12, 2014 . 
3. ^ Review of "Disruptor". Mobygames.com, accessed September 12, 2014 . 
4. ↑ Review HonestGamer. honestgamers.com, accessed September 12, 2014 . 
5. ↑ IGN test on "Disruptor" with pictures. m.IGN Entertainment, accessed on September 12, 2014 (English). 
6. ↑ Hugh Sterbakov: Review Gamespot. In: GameSpot . CBS Corporation , accessed September 12, 2014 . 
7. ↑ Review Absolute PlayStation. (No longer available online.) Absolute-playstation.com, archived from the original on March 4, 2016 ; accessed on September 12, 2014 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
8. ↑ Report on "Disruptor". Videogameszone.de, accessed on September 12, 2014 .