I-War is a 1995 shooter video game developed by Imagitec Design and published by Atari Corporation for the Atari Jaguar. The plot takes place in a futuristic setting where the mainframe supercomputer Override begins to mutate databases and create computer viruses. The player is tasked with piloting an antivirus tank vehicle to eliminate mutated databases and viruses clogging the I-Way network, while recovering data pods and facing off against a variety of enemies.

Imagitec proposed a racing game to Philips Interactive Media, but backed out before production started, and the project eventually morphed into I-War for Atari. It was co-produced by Bill Newsham and Ted Tahquechi, who worked on Jaguar titles such as Cybermorph and Kasumi Ninja. The game was first announced under the working title Redemption and early versions only had gouraud shading for the visuals; however, the team knew that Atari would have requested texture mapping and implemented it, but maintained the possibility of disabling it if Atari changed its course. The soundtrack was scored by Alastair Lindsay, who also composed Tempest 2000.

I-War garnered mixed reception from critics; reviewers expressed mixed opinions regarding the graphics, sound, controls, gameplay, and frame rate, but some complimented its multiplayer mode. Atari allowed Particle Systems to use the name for the 1997 space combat simulation game of the same title. Retrospective commentary for the game has been generally favorable.

Gameplay

thumb|left|Internal view of an antivirus tank being attacked while firing enemies in a room, with a data pod on a platform.

I-War is a three-dimensional shooter game played from a first-person perspective, similar to Cybermorph and Assault Rigs. The plot takes place in a futuristic setting where the mainframe supercomputer Override, became operational after decades of development. Override was designed to handle the increasingly complex I-Way network, and therefore society begins to rely heavily on it. The system operated without problems until its databases began to mutate and create computer viruses that obstruct the I-Way network, causing delays in information transfers that drive Override to the point of self-destruction. The player is tasked with piloting an antivirus tank vehicle to eliminate mutated databases and viruses obstructing the I-Way network. The player can choose between three different types of tanks, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. During development, the project went under the working titles Redemption, Dreadnaught, and Netwar. The game was designed by Emerson Best, who also acted as co-level designer alongside co-programmers Andrew Seed and Karl West (miscredited as Karl Vest). Seed and West also served as co-graphic artists along with Andy Noble. The soundtrack was scored by English composer Alastair Lindsay, who also composed Tempest 2000.

Seed recalled that Imagitec proposed a racing game project to Philips Interactive Media, but backed out before production began, with the project eventually morphed into I-War for Atari. Seed found the game easier to develop compared to Fractured Furry Tales, as West had previously worked on 3D titles and handled the gameplay aspect while he took care of the rest. It was later showcased during an event hosted by Atari Corporation dubbed "Fun 'n' Games Day" under its final title, I-War. The game was first published by Atari in North America on December 15, 1995, and in Europe the same month. After finishing production, Imagitec Design ceased support for the Atari Jaguar and ended its relationship with Atari due to internal conflicts. In 1997, the game's trademark was abandoned. According to composer Alastair Lindsay, Atari allowed Particle Systems to use the name for the 1997 space combat simulation game of the same title.

|MG = 48%

|NGen = 2/5

|rev1 = Atari Explorer Online

|rev1Score = 2/5

|rev2 = Atari Fan

|rev2Score = 78/100

|rev3 = Atari Gaming Headquarters

|rev3Score = 5/10

|rev4 = Game Zero Magazine

|rev4Score = 12.5/25

|rev5 = ST-Computer

|rev5Score = 68%

|rev6 = ST Magazine

|rev6Score = 58%

|rev7 = VideoGames

|rev7Score = 5/10

I-War received mixed reception from critics. Electronic Gaming Monthlys four reviewers labelled it as a cross between Cyber Sled and Cybermorph. They highlighted the game's smooth frame rate, responsive controls, and levels, but criticized its dark polygonal graphics, voiceovers, simplistic enemies, and unexciting gameplay. MAN!ACs Winnie Forster criticized the game's three-dimensional visuals for their abstract polygonal look, as well as the primitive controls and enemy behavior, but noted its two-player mode. Brett Daly of Jaguar Front Page News (a part of the GameSpy network) praised the game's overall graphical department, upbeat techno music, sound effects, and gameplay, but pointed out its inconsistent frame rate. Author Andy Slaven deemed it one of the least impressive 3D shooters on Jaguar, citing its bland graphics, boring levels and objectives, and awkward controls. Retro Gamer found the game to be more stylish compared to Cybermorph, highlighting its colorful flat-shaded polygons, levels, soundtrack, and bonus stages. They called it a "brillant example of the type of 3D shoot-'em-up that became very popular in the mid-nineties".

Notes

References

  • I-War at AtariAge
  • I-War at GameFAQs
  • I-War at Giant Bomb
  • I-War at MobyGames