I'm in a watery gaming heaven!  And I'm gripping a Sony Dual Analog
controller all the while.  Yeah, even though this game's packaging
doesn't indicate the Sony Dual Analog works with it, it does.  Oh,
does it EVER!

You begin the game with a USN-R1 single-seat underwater frogman
vehicle, which your SCUBA-wearing diver rides atop.  The vehicle's
propeller churns water and creates bubbles.  When you first start
moving, the prop moves slowly then gradually spins faster and faster.
The effect is an immersive and nearly breathtaking one when applying
acceleration with the delicacy of an analog controller.  The dual
thumb pads work in tandem, just like they do when used with Namco's
AirCombat 2.

There are underwater weapons, subs, and equipment.  As you score
treasures of the deep, you get to purchase better stuff.  Hey, this
game has style -- I mean, you can ride giant manta rays!  The subs
chug along with water-pushing prop gurgles.  And if you don't like the
color or design of your vehicle, then, heck, you can change them.

The bigger, more menacing aquatic life forms inspire fear when one or
more of them pops out of the murk directly in front of you and chomps
into your skin.  You'll find yourself frantically reversing your prop
engine while firing off harpoons and exploding nets ... as you do
this, your controllable hors d'oeuvre will let off puffs of blood from
ripped open skin (you have to supply your imagination about the gory
details, I suppose, but blood wafts around nonetheless).  This blood
-- or the blood of frogmen whom you harpoon to death -- will attract
still more sharks.

No, not all is rose-colored about Treasures.  For example, harpooned
sharks sometimes bust apart in unconvincing, thick layers, like so
much shredded rubber off of a speeding truck's just-blown tire.  But
I'll take no more bites at this Namco grate.  To do so would only go
toward cynically tainting the sweetness of this game's flavor (and
breaking teeth which *won't* be replaced).  Oh, mixed metaphor, cheap,
cheesy friend of mine!

I'm in love with this game, and have not experienced a better
underwater-themed video game.  Microprose's X-Com 2: Terror from the
Deep was my previous Waterworld of choice, but that one is more of a
*strategy/tactics* title anyway.

Pray tell, do you like underwater themes?  Do you like being scared?
Does the idea of being goggled seafood get your blood pumping?  Would
you like to skewer hammerhead sharks?  Or just blow them up with
sonar-guided torpedoes?  Then this game is for you.

Also, if you don't have the Dual Analog controller by Sony yet, then
get this title *AND* the controller.  Namco, you kick dorsal fin!!

Ricky Wayne Brown
brow0130@ix.netcom.com