Ghen War

Description

Ghen War takes place in a future where humanity has benefited from the technological assistance of an alien race known as the Ghen, only to find itself suddenly betrayed when the aliens launch attacks. You assume the role of a lieutenant operating an advanced combat suit while pursuing the truth behind the conflict across multiple planets and military installations. Unlike many first-person shooters of the mid-1990s, the game emphasises mechanised movement and exploration.

One of the game’s most technically impressive features was its deformable terrain. Explosions leave craters in the ground and sustained weapons fire can alter sections of the environment, a rare accomplishment on home consoles of the era. Combined with relatively open levels and the freedom to approach objectives from different angles. The exosuit can carry an extensive arsenal, while also using a mechanical claw to interact with objects in the environment. Missions involve navigating large, maze-like outdoor and indoor areas, locating objectives, destroying enemy installations, and battling various alien units. An onboard map records explored territory, helping you navigate the sprawling levels.

Reception was mixed but generally positive with praise for the scale of the environments, the sense of piloting a powerful combat suit, and the technical achievement of the destructible landscapes. Criticism focused on repetitive objectives, confusing level layouts, and periods of aimless wandering while searching for mission goals. Despite these shortcomings, Ghen War is retrospectively one of the more unusual shooters on the Saturn and an ambitious early attempt to bring large-scale 3D action to the console.