Desert Thunder
- March 19, 2014
- Hip Games
Get on Steam"Desert Thunder" is an arcade-style action tank game where players operate the experimental M1A6 Advanced tank, battling through desert, urban, and industrial settings in a mission to overthrow a terrorist faction in a Middle Eastern country. After a compromised mission and a devastated battalion, the player must complete the mission alone and reach the capital city to meet allied forces. The game features various armaments and heavy armor, providing an intense and destructive experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Unlimited game time, fuel, and ammo allows for extended play without restrictions.
- Destruction physics are impressive for a game from 2003, providing satisfying gameplay as players can destroy terrain objects.
- The game offers a nostalgic experience and can be fun for short bursts, especially for those who enjoy arcade-style tank action.
- The camera design is poor, leading to significant motion sickness for some players.
- Controls are abysmal, with slow turning and limited aiming capabilities, making gameplay frustrating.
- The game feels outdated with repetitive levels, empty environments, and a lack of engaging AI or enemy reactions.
- story10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story features a basic narrative with decent voice acting, but it lacks depth and originality, making it feel unremarkable. Players note that the first mission is particularly challenging, and there are two survival missions that require defending a base for extended periods. Overall, while the game is praised for its technical achievements, the story does not stand out as a highlight.
“Released in 2003, this jaw-dropping Unreal Engine-powered masterpiece boasts unmatched excellence in virtually all categories - graphics, gameplay, soundtrack, story, cinematics - you name it.”
“The story and voice acting are there but nothing special.”
“There are 2 survival missions, you have to defend the base for 20 minutes in each.”
“Released in 2003, this jawdropping Unreal Engine-powered masterpiece boasts unmatched excellence in virtually all categories - graphics, gameplay, soundtrack, story, cinematics - you name it.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag; while some reviews highlight its impressive quality for a 2003 release, others criticize it as underwhelming and not particularly noteworthy. Despite its age and limitations, the game is still considered enjoyable by some, serving as a decent time-waster. Overall, opinions vary significantly, with some praising its graphical achievements and others finding them lacking.
“Released in 2003, this jaw-dropping Unreal Engine-powered masterpiece boasts unmatched excellence in virtually all categories - graphics, gameplay, soundtrack, story, cinematics - you name it.”
“Speaking of which, the graphics are pretty good for 2003.”
“In terms of graphics and gameplay, the game is nothing to brag about.”
“Given the file size and date, I wonder whether they were trying to cram it all onto a single CD without skimping on the graphics.”
“For a small-sized program and its age, the graphics are still pretty crappy.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally considered easy to learn, utilizing basic controls like WASD for movement and mouse for aiming and shooting. However, opinions on the overall gameplay experience vary, with some reviewers noting it lacks standout features despite being part of a highly praised 2003 title powered by the Unreal Engine.
“Released in 2003, this jaw-dropping Unreal Engine-powered masterpiece boasts unmatched excellence in virtually all categories - graphics, gameplay, soundtrack, story, cinematics - you name it.”
“In terms of graphics and gameplay, the game is nothing to brag about.”
“Gameplay is easy enough to learn: move with WASD and aim and shoot with the mouse.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's music features a brief yet impactful heavy metal soundtrack that enhances its fast-paced gameplay, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Released in 2003, it is praised for its excellence across various aspects, including the soundtrack.
“To my infinite surprise, this short, fun title has an equally short yet banging soundtrack, with three or four glorious little heavy metal tunes that really add to the explosive and lightning fast pace of the game.”
“Released in 2003, this jaw-dropping Unreal Engine-powered masterpiece boasts unmatched excellence in virtually all categories - graphics, gameplay, soundtrack, story, cinematics - you name it.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users generally feel that the game has low replayability, which negatively impacts the overall fun factor.
