Critical Depth (video game)

Critical Depth is a vehicular combat game made for the PlayStation, developed by the game studio SingleTrac and published by GT Interactive. It was released on October 31, 1997.

Critical Depth
North American cover art
Developer(s)SingleTrac
Publisher(s)GT Interactive
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • NA: October 31, 1997
  • EU: December 1997
Genre(s)Vehicular combat
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Critical Depth is based on the concept and engine of SingleTrac's original best selling Twisted Metal franchise (a demolition derby which permits the usage of ballistic projectiles), but occurs under water.[1] All vehicles in the game are submarines. Players choose a sub and an arena in single mode to engage in fights with opposing sailors. A variety of weapons and upgrades are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage as well as each sub having their own exclusive "special weapon". The goal on an arena is to retrieve all five pods, which are scattered throughout the level, and find the escape gateway. Each pod gives its holder an extra power.

The game features three modes of play: a mission/story mode, where the player (or two players cooperatively) can battle through eleven levels; a battle mode, where the player captures pods in a selectable level; and deathmatch, where the player battles against the computer or another human in a split-screen mode.

Story

The story is based on the disappearance of undersea explorer Douglas McKragen and the discovery of five mysterious and powerful alien pod-shaped objects. Twelve different factions enter the sea to find out more about these forces and uncover their mystery, each for its own reasons. Each faction battles several competitors in order to retrieve the pods.

Gameplay

The playable ships are divided into factions, one of which the player must align with at the beginning of the game. Once he does, a mix of the eleven other ships will constantly stand in his way. Four additional characters can be unlocked by reaching certain goals in the game.

Levels are cleared by recovering the four pods found in each level to open a slipgate to the next level.[2]

Development

SingleTrac initially intended to publish Critical Depth themselves.[1] However, during the game's development the company was purchased by GT Interactive, so Critical Depth became the first game to go towards the fulfillment of SingleTrac's terms of acquisition.[3]

References
  1. "Just Add Water". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 94. Ziff Davis. May 1997. pp. 96–97.
  2. "Critical Depth: SingleTrac Goes Unda' the Sea". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. p. 73.
  3. "GT Interactive Buys Singletrac, Makes Agreements with BMG and Warner Bros. Interactive". GamePro. No. 108. IDG. September 1997. p. 20.
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