Desert Thunder
- March 19, 2014
- Hip Games
"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.
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 moments.
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed tank simulators in the past.
- 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- The game feels outdated with mediocre graphics and repetitive level design, lacking depth and variety.
- story5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The story features challenging missions, including two survival tasks that require players to defend a base for 20 minutes each. While the narrative and voice acting are present, they are considered unremarkable compared to the game's overall excellence in other areas, such as graphics and gameplay.
“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.”
“The first mission is very hard.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's graphics receive mixed reviews; while some players find them decent for a 2003 title, others feel they fall short of expectations. Despite its age, the use of the Unreal Engine is noted for delivering impressive visuals, contributing to an overall positive experience for those who appreciate its nostalgic charm.
“Speaking of which, the graphics are pretty good for 2003.”
“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.”
“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 sometimes fun to play, just as a time waster.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay is straightforward and accessible, utilizing basic controls like WASD for movement and mouse for aiming and shooting. While some users find it lacking in innovation, others praise its execution, especially considering its release in 2003, highlighting its overall excellence alongside graphics and other elements.
“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.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's music features a brief but impactful heavy metal soundtrack that enhances its fast-paced gameplay, contributing to the overall excellence of the experience. Released in 2003, it showcases impressive quality across various aspects, including its energetic tunes.
“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.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users feel that the game's design negatively impacts its replayability, suggesting that it reduces the overall enjoyment and incentive to play again.