Ground Zero Texas
Description
Space aliens are infiltrating the U.S. from a sleepy little town on the Texas/Mexico border, snatching bodies and paving the way for a greater invasion. Those they abduct return as Pod People-like drones, normal in appearance until they reveal themselves. The government's response is you - a technician driving custom-built gun cameras mounted around the town. Similar to Night Trap or Double Switch, you must monitor the town for alien activity, and respond to protect the lives of the citizens and your agents.
The game is played entirely through four camera feeds from locations around the town. They mostly show loops of banal activity, but indicators will alert you when important action is occurring at that location. Switching to that camera will allow you to watch crucial plot clips, or defend that camera from aliens in a single-screen shooting gallery. As cameras take more damage, the picture from that feed degrades until the camera itself is destroyed.
The goal is pretty much to juggle between cameras so as not to miss an important plot point, while defending them from attackers or saving citizens from being abducted. In a neat twist, citizens who you failed to save may appear later as disguised aliens themselves.
As the game progresses, the invasion increases and becomes more violent, but the basic concept of switching between cameras and engaging in video shooting galleries remains unchanged.
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Credits (SEGA CD version)
36 People (32 developers, 4 thanks) · View all
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Reviews
Critics
Average score: 66% (based on 21 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.2 out of 5 (based on 9 ratings with 1 reviews)
The Good
Ground Zero Texas has the same basic hidden camera gameplay as Night Trap and Double Switch but everything about it just feels, sounds and looks much better. It remains one of my favorite full motion video games.
The game is directed by a big name Hollywood director, has an impressive cast of B-minor actors, impressive special effects, responsive controls, above average reply value and an impressive science fiction storyline set in a Texas small town during the Day of the Dead festival.
The Bad
While the quality of the full motion video is better then other Sega CD games of this genre, the hardware limitations of the home console system still shine through.
The Bottom Line
In Ground Zero Texas you are a member of an elite, hi-tech, top secret government agency stationed in a Texas small town, during the Day of the Dead festival. You and your dedicated undercover team members are the only thing that stands in the way of a vast plot by aliens to take over earth.
Yes, the basic game play, B-minus acting and low budget are all similar to other full motion video games of the era. You switch between a series of cameras to zap space aliens, save one of your team members or a civilian from an alien and get secret codes to learn the location of the mother ship.
Yet, (unlike Double Switch) the game never gets too difficult to enjoy, the space aliens initially look like humans so who is the alien and who is the civilian is sometimes randomly determined, which provides some suspense and replay value.
Your hidden cameras can be damaged (and repaired) and if you zap your team mates or civilians too many times, its game over. Later on, you get to blow up the aliens, who look pretty cool in their body armor and everything about the game shows some impressive talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Alas, the game was only released for the Sega CD. Its one of the best full motion video games around and can provide hours of enjoyment.
SEGA CD · by ETJB (428) · 2010
Trivia
Director
Dwight H. Little, the director of this video game has had a successful career as a film and television director.
Awards
- EGM
- 1995 Buyer's Guide - Sega CD Game of the Year
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Related Sites +
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Video review of the system (WARNING: Language)
The Angry Video Game Nerd, James Rolfe, reviews the Sega CD and gives brief reviews of some games, including Ground Zero Texas.
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by BurningStickMan.
Additional contributors: Alaka, LepricahnsGold, H.M..
Game added September 12, 2006. Last modified March 9, 2024.