Welcome to our review of D/Generation, out now on Nintendo Switch.
Hours after receiving an urgent call in his Parris apartment, the protagonist of D/Generation, a nameless courier, arrives in London via his Jet-Pack, touching down on the 80th floor of Genoq Biolabs’ medical research facility with an important package for lead Genoq scientist Jean-Paul Derrida. As soon as he enters, however, the doors shut and seal themselves behind him. This, however, proves to be the least of his problems, as the receptionist soon informs him of Genoq’s dire state. All lines of communication to the outside world have been severed, and furthermore the building’s security systems and dangerous Neogens have run amok. Despite the perils within and the receptionist’s adamant warnings, the courier chooses to proceed, perhaps believing that the item in his possession holds the key to stopping the chaos which grips Genoq.
Over the course of his journey into the building’s upper reaches, the courier learns that Genoq had been steeped in the realm of illegal bioweapon development for some time, and that their medical research, which had long ago become unprofitable for them, was little more than a front for their more lucrative practice of creating and selling biological weapons called Neogens. Derrida had been brought on by the company to spearhead a project which would create the ultimate Neogen, and the fruit of his efforts, an artificial organism dubbed D/Generation, was ultimately the source of the disturbances within the building. Further complicating matters, he also learns that Genoq’s corporate leaders have authorized an airstrike against the building in order to prevent details of their activities from going public.
The original game dates back all the way to 1991 and was released on PC/Amiga and Atari. This appears to be a direct port and older games like these rarely hold up against the infamous test of time. I mean seriously, this is from 91, I was 14 when it released and I admit I never played the original. Nor did I feel the need to get it on emulator. I have the game on Nintendo Switch now and this suffices.
The game itself is a mix between the action genre and the puzzle genre. Alternating between both, this game was ahead of its time back in 91, but feels boring in current day settings. As you walk into a room, you are faced with several parts and it is up to you to see how to proceed to the next room. Are you solving a puzzle or are you destroying enemies in order to advance or both?
It is clear that this game does pack a punch and it is mostly the old style handling of the character that does it, but at the same time, it might be its downfall for anyone that did not experience this style of “ministry of silly walks”. If this joke just passed you by, do google it, John Cleese is one of the masters of ye olde comedy.
While I did enjoy the game, I have to admit, there are too many better games out there. This game just feels like another pea in the retro pod, which is sadly all that can be said about this game. It will not leave a very long lasting impression and unless you once really enjoyed the original, the eshop is filled with many better games.
In conclusion, I think I was very clear that unless nostalgia plays a role in your decision to buy this game, disappointment might be waiting around the corner.
My rating is 30%, it is a great port after all.
