BioForge

aka: Interactive Movie 1
Moby ID: 561
DOS Specs
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Description official descriptions

In the far future, a fanatical group of religious extremists known as the Mondites have begun a campaign of galactic conquest. They believe in the evolution of man through machine by cybernetic implants. You are one of the unlucky victims: a prisoner in a Mondite complex on a distant moon, with no memory of your former life. Your body has been turned into a hideous cybernetic nightmare by the evil Dr. Mastaba. It is up to you to explore the complex (abandoned and on the verge of nuclear meltdown), discover the secrets of the Mondites and the mysterious remnants of alien civilization they've discovered, and get out alive from this moon.

BioForge is an action game with puzzle-solving, technologically similar to Alone in the Dark, featuring polygonal (and textured) characters over pre-rendered backgrounds. The adventure elements involve the hero collecting items and figuring out puzzles in order to get to new places and discover the secrets of the complex. The action elements involve combat against foes robotic and alive, both with melee weaponry and with guns, though some enemies require trickery rather than force to defeat.

Numerous journals, documents and diaries are found throughout the game; these are all recorded and can be re-read at any time.

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Reviews

Critics

Average score: 85% (based on 21 ratings)

Players

Average score: 4.1 out of 5 (based on 55 ratings with 7 reviews)

Overlooked, under-rated and un-explored

The Good
This would be one of those games that you just past by on when you look at the shelf. Nothing particularly interesting about the box to that makes you say "Buy me...buy me...". This unfortunate lack of publication has Bioforge in the hall of overlooked games - section.

Combat is more of a brawl than fighting. It's either punch or kick in a very rugged way. Kinda cool actually, considering you look pretty heavy for an oversized cyborg.

If there were a game to describe certain respect of the graphics involved, this game would be it. Not bad considering the year of publication, the game had state-of-the art graphics then blended nicely with the surrounding animations.

Now one thing in particular about the game that should be appaulded was the in-game physics. This can be particulary seen when you are in combat, spesicially using laser guns. The lasers when fired 'bounce' off hard surfaces (e.g. walls) into other directions like a billiard game. Now this to my opinion is fascinating as rarely does the background graphics interact with primary animations such as the character. The fact that lasers bounce of any 'graphic' into a mathematical angle means that they made the background one big mathematical matrix. So the background isn't just for looks.

The Bad
I do recall at certain times being frustrated on what to do next. Lack of hints (or more possibly lack of IQ on my part) or connections between two events made it quite puzzling. There were often many occurences where you do the standard 'use every item you have on every object in the game' approach. Sometimes it works, often it doesn't.

Combat as I said was kind of rugged. Not many moves besides your punch and kick. Although laser combat kinda made up for it, It would be nice to see additional features in combat mode.

The Bottom Line
A good game, one worth buying if you happen to come across it.

DOS · by Indra was here (20756) · 2003

A unique and absorbing adventure game

The Good
Bioforge has really, really good textures and graphics for a game from 1995. The player's movement looks motion captured, and he shows varying degrees of damage depending on how beat up he gets during combat. The game works similar to a horror-survival game from modern days. You use the numpad to move your character around the map. When you come across a guard or other baddie, pushing CRTL or ALT brings you into combat mode. In this mode, the different numpad keys represent different kicks and punches. The animations during these fights are awesome, and it really feels satisfying to land a good punch or kick. I found the combat to good enough for the game, but I know many people dislike it.
The story has you basically moving through the base trying to find out who you are. It may not seem like much a story, but the secret is in the little details. Picking up journals reveals pages upon pages of entries by former or current detainees. Through these journals you learn of the horrible experiments performed at the base, as well other important information and codes. But beyond all this, the graphics are what steals the show for Bioforge.

The Bad
I know many people did not like the combat in the game, it can be slow and unresponsive. At times you feel like you are just watching yourself get beat up, with little you can do about it. Indeed, you must wait until the current kick or punch as been landed before initiating a new one, so a bit slow. Also, if you aren't willing to do some reading, the game's story will seem pretty shallow. Not a whole lot is explained as there aren't many cutscenes, so it does require a fair bit of reading.

The Bottom Line
Bioforge is an action/adventure game that takes place on a moon/planet base where a maniacal doctor is having patients flown in to be converted into cybernetic assassins. He is unsuccessful on the first patients he operates on, including the player, you. You awaken in a prison cell on the base, with no memory of who you are or why you are there. Throughout the course of the game you move throughout the base, into the sewers, and out on the open terrain of the moon. Along the way you fight guards and bizarre monstrosities, solve puzzles, and discover what is really going on in the base. The game has wonderful graphics, great sound, an average control scheme using the keypad, and a enough of a story to keep you playing.

DOS · by MojoHelperMonkey (39) · 2005

A great game, similar as the description says to Alone in the Dark

The Good
This game has excellent graphics, even in this day of 3D accelerators. I mean, even at 320x200 the graphics ROCK! Also, the sound was pretty good. Nice voice acting, and the "Ping!" everytime you had an entry added to your journal (another big plus!) was very helpful. Challenge was great, almost too great at times.

The Bad
Sometimes difficult to see your enemies because of the fixed camera angle. Also, some precise character placement is needed or death will occur (DN you slime! :) )

The Bottom Line**
A great game, like an "interactive movie." If you like to talk to your enemies (if you have any) while you beat the crap out of them, this is the game for you.

DOS · by EazyCheeze (25) · 2000

[ View all 7 player reviews ]

Trivia

1001 Video Games

BioForge appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

BioForge Plus

Origin started work on a special edition of BioForge, entitled BioForge Plus. This new version of the game had extra sections, continuing on from where the original version left off. This is the description from the Origin catalog:

The work of research archaeologists has been interrupted by the machinations of the scheming scientist who plans to use the advanced alien technology for his own ends. Only your advanced skills give you hope of survival.

As the moon, Daedalus, explodes, you discover the Black Raven - a ship sent by the Ministry of Security to spy on the Mondite base. It's going to be that kind of day - it's a good thing you're still angry. The adventure is far from over.

Features: * Automatic Tracker - shows locations of most enemy lifeforms * Better Energy Source * More Powerful Weapons * Improved Combat * New, Superior Ship * Gauntlet Feature

Unfortunately, BioForge didn't sell as well as EA wanted, so BioForge Plus was cancelled.

Identity

The game's manual came with a dossier of several registered "patients" and the player is offered a chance near the end of the game to access the main medical computer to find out who they actually are. It is said that this depends on how the game was played.

Awards

  • GameStar (Germany)
    • Issue 12/1999 - #100 in the "100 Most Important PC Games of the Nineties" ranking
  • Power Play
    • Issue 02/1996 – Best Action-Adventure in 1995

Information also contributed by WildKard

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  • MobyGames ID: 561
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Alan Chan.

Windows added by Sciere.

Additional contributors: xroox, Sciere, Cantillon, Patrick Bregger, FatherJack.

Game added December 11, 1999. Last modified February 19, 2024.