Galleon

Galleon should have come out for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000. Gamers would have likely found swashbuckling captain Rhama Sabrier��s adventure to be an interesting next-gen alternative to the already-stale Tomb Raider franchise. Well, it��s not 2000��and Xbox certainly isn��t Dreamcast. Not that you could tell that from looking at or playing Galleon��

It��s impossible to speak of Galleon without first mentioning its phenomenally poor graphics. Prepare to run the gamut of visual atrocities: nightmarish character designs, rudimentary geometry, nasty bouts of slowdown, and painfully stark environments.

The game��s premise finds Rhama running, leaping, and slicing his way across six exotic islands in search of potent magical herbs. Tragically, no herb is potent enough to make Galleon��s absurd control scheme feel natural. See, you don��t actually control Rhama��you control the camera, and Rhama runs in the direction you point. This creates an intense feeling of disconnection between you and your character that��s difficult to shake. Numerous swimming and climbing sequences only exacerbate the problem, as the camera often swings around to obtuse, disorienting angles.

Combat doesn��t fare much better. Although you possess myriad moves and multiple weapons, everything feels extremely repetitive and clumsy. It��s often easier (and more fun) to simply avoid combat than to suffer though it.

The game��s seven levels provide the most heartbreak, as occasional flashes of brilliance shine through Galleon��s grimy veneer. Well-designed platforming bits and clever puzzles remind you of what people saw in the original Tomb Raider, but the game��s dismal controls muck up these potentially enjoyable levels.

Head-On Collision

While most games use invisible spheres around objects to simulate realistic interaction, Galleon offers actual polygon-on-polygon touching. This allows for some cool animation as Rhama scampers over rubble or braces himself against a wall after being thrown.

PUBLISHER: Altus // DEVELOPER: SCI/Confounding Factor // PLAYERS: 1 // LIVE: No // MSRP: $39.99 // ESRB: T

04 OUT OF TEN

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Xbox Nation.