Loaded offers guantlet fans something to dream about... or maybe have
nightmares about!  the last time i saw this much blood is when i ran
into that bloodmobile!  some very amusing characters and a nice
soundtrack make the game fun, but the real value is in the fact that
there are FIFTEEN levels, and they KEEP GETTING BIGGER!!!  i think i'll
probably have it beaten by '97... maybe...
 
in numbers:
 
ORIGINALITY - 7 - the classic "gauntlet" concept gets a new twist... in
fact, it gets twisted so far that it bleeds all over the friggin' place!
most original are the "ratings" that the game gives... from the "players
are fairies/players are brutal" difficulty levels to the
"criminal/bully/sociopath" types of "career prospects," this game lets
its dark sense of humor seep into every pixel.
 
RESPONSE - 9 - very nice controls, but on occasion, the "strafe" button
seems to get testy.

GRAPHICS - 8 - on one hand, the darkness fits... on the other hand,
there is such a thing as TOO dark.  i can't help but wonder... why is
the flamethrower incapable of lighting an area?  but the biggest
detractor for this score is the heavy pixellation that you see when you
zoom in.  for the most part, the game works better with a panned back
view anyways.  i realize that you just read an EIGHT, and then read a
bunch of negative crap about the category, so i guess i should mention
that the graphics are very nice and creepy.
 
ANIMATION - 8 - pretty dern smooth, folks.
 
SOUND FX - 10 - HAHAHAHAHAAA!!! BANG BANG!!! BANG BANG BANG BANG
BANG!!!  also note the very sickening "splorch" sound emanating from
your foes as they go... well.. "splorch."
 
MUSIC - 10 - pop will eat itself... and then be reborn as slick
techno/rave type tracks that really fit each level.
 
in practice:
 
on the M.A.R.C.H. scale (of IGNORE IT, RENT IT, or BUY IT)...
LOADED
INTERPLAY
 
BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT
 
as a one-player game, this is a great way to kill time.  as a two-player
game, this is a great way to kill!  unless the site of blood-esque
colors makes you cringe, this game needs to be on your shelf.  besides,
it could be banned at any moment!