Absolute Zero

Absolute Zero is a video game in the action genre developed by Domark Software, Inc. and published by Domark Software, Inc. originally released in 1995. It is currently playable on DOS, Mac.

Absolute Zero is another missed opportunity for Domark: a game that offers such a refreshingly innovative premise that it makes the bad gameplay all the more regrettable.

GameSpot's review says it all: 'The starfighter genre has been around since Star Raiders debuted on Atari 800, and few significant improvements have been made since then. The same basic game design is recreated over and over again, and even high-end titles like Wing Commander IV offer little more in the way of gameplay than their predecessors. With Absolute Zero, Domark seems to want to take a completely different approach to the genre.

The problem is that while the design concepts of Absolute Zero are unique, the game's interface is poorly executed. The story is well conceived and novel, as it follows the lives of 24th century humans who have finally mastered cold fusion and buzz around the solar system like busy bees. Much of the activity centers on Europa, an ice-covered Jovian moon that now provides fuel for human fusion engines. While mining, the busy workers discover, beneath Europa's ice, a race of hibernating aliens who are now very angry. Military reinforcements are far away, so the miners turn their equipment into a makeshift military machine to fight the aliens until help arrives.

It's not easy to get into this game. The main interface, called VR Tunnel, leaves you a little unsure of what to do unless you've carefully read the manual first. Still, with practice, you'll master the controls, piloting air and ground ships from the perspective of various wannabe heroes. As you progress through the game, more information is revealed about your new enemies and their strange crystalline forms. Absolute Zero has some annoying drawbacks. Although the game installed smoothly on Windows 95, it took a while to get into the game's settings to choose sound cards and other customizable options.

That said, if you have the patience, Absolute Zero is a nice change of pace in the increasingly ordinary world of stellar fighting games. But those who want to jump in and start shooting will be in for a disappointment.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.