Hellbender (computer game)
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| Hellbender | |
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| Developer(s) | Terminal Reality |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| Release date(s) | July, 1996 |
| Genre(s) | Simulation game |
| Mode(s) | Single Player/Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: K-A |
| Platform(s) | Windows 95 |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| Input | Keyboard, Mouse |
Hellbender is a PC video game developed by Terminal Reality in 1995-1996 and released by Microsoft in 1996, as a sequel to Fury3 and Terminal Velocity.
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[edit] Overview
Created specifically for Windows 95, Hellbender emerged as one of the first popularized 3D space-simulator games for the PC, next to Descent. While initially based on the game engine that runs Terminal Velocity, Hellbender emerged as a game that was able to render both indoor and outdoor environments simultaneously.
The ship's computer is voiced by actress Gillian Anderson, best known as Agent Dana Scully from The X-Files.
[edit] Graphics
Although Hellbender employs essentially the same graphics engine as Terminal Velocity, the graphics were improved with the use of DirectX to allow the utilization of 3d accelerators, which were relatively new in 1996. In addition, like Descent, portal rendering was used so that rooms would not be rendered unless the user opens the door to the room. Unlike Descent, however, there was an integration of indoor and outdoor environments.
[edit] Gameplay/Storyline
In the game, the user is portrayed as the last surviving pilot for the Coalition, the defense group that must protect Earth from destruction by the Bions. The Bions are an alien race that were created by scientists from Earth, but the creations backfired and the Bions became ruthless killing machines, able to build their own spaceships and equipment. The pilot must accomplish various objectives on different worlds in order to stop the Bions, save Earth, and win the game. The storyline is essentially the continuation of the storyline for Fury3.
[edit] Planets
[edit] Chimera
Intelligence reports that the Bions may be using Chimera's resources and caverns for manufacturing. A new coalition member, it possesses many natural resources. Chimera's geology is similar to that of Mars and Venus; it has active magma flows that extend hundreds of kilometers. Venting magma gasses combine with dust particulates from the arid planets surface to shroud the planet in a low layer of magnesium/iron oxide clouds.
- Coordinates: 037: 112.858
- Mass: 8.714
- Atmosphere: N3: 032.007
[edit] Eyrie
This planet is sited on a wormhole nexus and is a gateway for transportation throughout the galaxy. Asteroids and comets entering the planet's atmoshpere were electromagnetically repelled by the planet's surface elements. Trapped within the atmosphere, they were crushed by Eyrie's gravitational forces and recombined into "floating" mountains above the planet's surface. Dust not yet compressed into mountains forms a green-blue mist that envelops the highest mountain peaks.
- Coordinates: 037: 112.858
- Mass: 14.54
- Atmosphere: N8: 079.026
[edit] Morbos
Morbos has rich ore deposits that have been selectivly mined for centuries. Its surface was formed by lava flows, amd the hardened volcanic crust and toxic atmosphere make it difficult for vegetation to take root. In the ongoing anti-Bion war effort, the atmosphere has been further degraded as a result of contamination by defense industry byprducts. Intelligence suspects the Bions of co-opting many of the planets mining facilities.
- Coordinates: 037:112.858
- Mass: 67.81
- Atmosphere: T12: 001.621
[edit] Iowah
Initially covered with large bodies of water, Iowah's surface was dried when and errant comet knocked the planet out of its original orbit. The planet's new orbit is much closer to the galaxy's double suns, causing oceans to recede. Petrified ship hulls sit abandoned on dried remnants of former kelp beds, a sad reminder of the planets fertile past. Structures once perched at sea level now tower above the planets surface. Iowah's unstable atmosphere produces constant acid rain and thunder storms.
- Coordinates: 037:112.858
- Mass: 4.46
- Atmosphere: U3: f041.f030
[edit] Snow City
A frozen wasteland rich in the mineral zostrum, it provides approximately 32% of the galaxy's energy fuel.
- Coordinates: 037:112.858
- Mass: 3.25
- Atmosphere: T8: 011.089
[edit] Kresh
One of the oldest planets in this galaxy, yet little is know about its elemental composition. Once known throughout the galaxy as a center of religious tolerance, sacred structures still abound here. The temples have self-protective reactive shields that attack aggressors when a certain number of temples have been destroyed
- Coordinates: 037:112.858
- Mass: 17.23
- Atmosphere: N8: 081.033
[edit] Tricerius Belt
Use extreme caution. Intelligence suspects that this is a Bion stronghold. The sudden appearance of satellite asteroids in its Kirkwood gaps suggest that these are pseudo-asteroids sheltering Bion fighters. It is believed that the Bions will use the pseudo-asteroids as cover bases while they attempt to expand their spheres of influence throughout the galaxy.
- Coordinates: 037:112.858
- Mass: 95.147
- Atmosphere: N5: 050.010
[edit] Demonstration Versions
A demo of this game was included with the "Gravis Applications Installer", a demo disc that came with the PC Firebird, PC Gamepad, PC GamePad Pro, and Multiport controllers. The demo only included one planet, Iowah. Other games also included demos of "Seek and Destroy, Terminal Velocity. Hocus Pocus, One Must Fall 2097, Outer Ridge, Raptor: Call of the Shadows, Hardball 5, and Jazz Jackrabbit.
