Novastorm

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Description

In the distant future humans have left Earth, carrying its ecosystem with them. However, the journey to the stars lasted longer than they had thought. Computers took control of navigation, and humans had nothing else to do but sleep, dreaming of a new paradise. When the mysterious Scarab-X forces attacked, the Scavenger 4 squadron became humanity's only hope for survival.

Novastorm is a rail shooter in which players blast enemies against a cinematic backdrop, trying to kill the computer-controlled fighters before they take over the world. Unlike first-generation interactive movies with action, the game has hooks into the environment: if the player-controlled fighter moves into the path of a pre-rendered obstacle, there is a collision and the craft takes damage.

Screenshots

Promo Images

Alternate Titles

• "诺瓦风暴" -- Simplified Chinese spelling
• "Scavenger 4" -- FM Towns title
• "スカベンジャー 4" -- Japanese FM Towns spelling
• "ノバストーム" -- Japanese spelling

Part of the Following Groups

• Genre: Chase-view / Space Harrier-style shooter
• Live action cut-scenes

User Reviews

The soundtrack elevates this rail shooter to greatness.	DOS	Chris Adderley (4)
The Full-Motion Shooter	DOS	James P. Wong (2448)
Don't let the term 'Interactive Movie' throw you -- this is a very good shooter.	DOS	Trixter (9110)
A solid arcade shooter every gamer should experience...	DOS	Accatone (5322)
A really good game.	DOS	Tomer Gabel (4643)

Critic Reviews

Computer and Video Games (CVG)	FM Towns	May, 1994	88 out of 100	88
Power Play	DOS	Dec, 1994	76 out of 100	76
CD Player	PlayStation	1996	7 out of 10	70
Video Games	PlayStation	Oct, 1995	65 out of 100	65
Computer and Video Games (CVG)	PlayStation	Nov, 1995	60 out of 100	60
Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM)	3DO	Mar, 1995	20 out of 40	50
Sega-16.com	SEGA CD	Dec 26, 2011	5 out of 10	50
Joypad	PlayStation	Oct, 1995	50 out of 100	50
Game Players	PlayStation	Nov, 1995	45 out of 100	45
The Video Game Critic	PlayStation	Feb 09, 2014	D	25

Forums

There are currently no topics for this game.

Trivia

Cheat mode

The cheat mode, includes (amongst other jokes) some "techno" theme music sung (quite badly) by the programmers.

Extras

Some versions of the packaging contain an official lapel pin; others contain a small model of the ship.

Packaging

The packaging for Novastorm is of a very high quality. The printing process for the box used a very fine screen for the background matte, and the foreground objects are glossy. Even the inside box is extremely sturdy--and made of recycled, bio-degradable materials.

Video compression

The proprietary video compression method used was surprisingly effective, given that it was tuned for single-speed drives, 15 frames per second, and 8-bit color displays.

Awards

• GameFan
• 1994 "Megawards" (Vol 3, Iss. 1) - awarded the Overall Best Shooter Game of the Year
• 1994 "Megawards" (Vol 3, Iss. 1) - awarded the Best 3DO Shooter Game of the Year

Information also contributed by Big John WV

Related Web Sites

• Wikipedia: Novastorm (Information about Novastorm at Wikipedia)