Nintendo DS Game Reviews: Scurge: Hive Game Review

Scurge: Hive is a Nintendo DS game (there is also a Gameboy Advance version) that was released in 2006. Yes, it’s a few years old but I only just played it, and I wholly regret it. I was looking forward to a cool sci-fi game for my DS. Disappointed? Yes I was.

Story (2 out of 5)

The main character is Jenosa Arma a bounty hunter (who happens to be a woman, in case that is relevant to anyone) who is hired by the military (I’m going to assume it’s some Star Wars Empire-like government) to rescue and salvage a research lab from the planet Inos after a break out of a viral organism called “scurge.” I’m cool with the whole bounty hunter thing. I mean, I love Boba Fett (the good Boba Fett in the original Star Wars) but her motivation is totally lacking.

The scurge can transform any organism and technology for their own use. They can even attack ships coming too close to the planet which they are inhabiting. The military provides Jenosa with a suit that will slow down the rate of scurge infection in her body, but she will eventually be totally taken over by it after first contact. Here is my problem: she’s a bounty hunter! She’s being paid to do this as a freelancer! Why would she sacrifice herself for no reason? Boba Fett would never take a job like that.

Game Play (1 out of 5)

This game isn’t sure what it wants to be. While it is in an isometric perspective it tries to be a platformer and the two don’t work well together. Jumping from ledge to ledge is extremely difficult and annoying. Also, there are too many enemies making it impossible to kill them all (it is re-spawn city in this game!). Running away is usually your only option, but then you are just surrounded by more little scurges to kill, or try to kill as the case may be. That is not fun.

Graphics (1 out of 5)

Meh. There isn’t much to say. Maybe this game looked really cool on the GBA, but it’s mediocre on the DS. The graphics are a little too cutesy for the subject matter as well. The colors are too bright and happy and Jenosa is this little chibi*-girl with impossibly long hair. I’m not saying they should make everything gray or brown, but set a mood, people!

Fun (1 out of 5)

I didn’t have any. Most of my time was spent rolling my eyes at the weak plot and story-line or frustrated by the game play.

Overall

While it isn’t the worst game I’ve ever played it is far from the best. The thing that sucks is the idea is really cool. Too bad they screwed up the execution. If I were in a better mood I’d give them a few points for trying. As it is, I want my time spent playing this game back.

*chibi is a Japanese term for cartoonishly small and cute. It’s exact translation is “small child” or “short person.” In gaming, manga and anime the popular and loose translation is just “small” and thus by its context “cute”.