Post Description

The Good

    * Unique space setting and easy-to-use controls  
    * Features like zero gravity and stealth add depth to combat  
    * Atmospheric outer space visuals.

The Bad

    * Demanding system requirements that include Windows 7 or Vista  
    * Only four maps and three modes of play.

As you might expect from a company best known for benchmarking programs aimed at hardcore PC gamers, Futuremark's Shattered Horizons is rather demanding. This Steam-distributed multiplayer-only shooter requires a top-of-the-line CPU and video-card combo, along with either Windows 7 or Vista as an operating system because the game has been built around DirectX 10 without support for Windows XP. But you can't complain (too much). This is one of those games that makes it almost worthwhile to shell out the big moola needed to build a killer gaming rig. New twists on old standards juice up conventional multiplayer shooting action by moving the battleground to the zero-gravity vacuum of space, and an emphasis on team tactics gives the game a unique feel. A handful of maps and no single-player option make this something of an ambitious tech demo, but the price is just $20, which may just make you forget about the limitations while you're playing as a killer astronaut. 

GAMESPOT SCORE 7.5