KMGR of Schizoid

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Schizoid is an odd game to describe. It is best to think of it as part Pac-Man, part tag. And it can be pretty darn frantic. Graphics are simple, but fancy in its own way. Overall, it achieves that it set out to do.

Schizoid is a little hard to describe. Basically, you control the blue ship, and there's an AI controlled red ship that flies with you. Your objective is to touch all the blue enemies (which will destroy them) and avoid the red enemies (that will destroy you). The red ship is just the opposite... touch red, avoid blue. You don't "shoot" at all.

The playing field's layout will vary, and new enemies are introduced all the time. For example, the "eggs" on the field doesn't move, but if you leave them for too long, they will "hatch" and those enemies will move! Later, you get enemies that will combine, if you don't tag them first, and form indestructible enemies that you have to avoid at all costs!

You will be frantically pressing direction keys as you try to avoid some enemies while tagging others.



The graphics are simple... white for the field, red and blue for the ships and enemies (which are abstract, more like the old Omega Race, though some are pretty fancy, like the default "Scorpions"), and occasional yellow indestructible enemies. I am sure there are more, as I am only a few levels into the game.

You start with ten lives, and you get "checkpoint" levels every 5 levels or so. New enemeis and new mechanics are introduced gradually so the challenges keep ramping up. Levels are short, each lasting no more than a minute or two, so it's great for short breaks.

All in all, Schizoid is a fun little game that manages to recycle some play mechanics in a new way, and it can get pretty exciting. It is definitely worth a try, if you like "twitch" games.

Overall rating: 7.5 out of 10
Pros: simple mechanics, but recycled in a new way
Cons: not much more than "tag"
Verdict: worth a try for all the twitch gamers