Vice: Project Doom is an action video game developed by Aicom and published by Sammy Corporation for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was released in North America in February 1991. The game is notable for its blend of multiple gameplay genres, featuring side-scrolling action-platformer stages, first-person driving sequences, and first-person shooting segments.
Gameplay
Vice: Project Doom offers a diverse gameplay experience across its 11 stages, frequently switching between three distinct styles:
- Side-Scrolling Action: The primary mode, in which the player controls protagonist Quentin, a secret agent, from a side-scrolling perspective. Quentin is armed with a whip and a pistol. Players navigate various environments, jump across platforms, defeat enemies, and face bosses. The whip has a shorter range but infinite uses, while the pistol has limited ammunition but offers greater range and power.
- First-Person Driving: These segments involve Quentin driving a futuristic car on a highway. The perspective shifts to first-person behind the vehicle, and players use a crosshair to aim and shoot at oncoming enemy vehicles and obstacles. The D-pad controls the crosshair, and the A button fires.
- First-Person Shooting: Similar to the driving stages, these sections place Quentin on foot, with a first-person view. Players control a crosshair to shoot at enemies appearing on screen, often in a fixed position or moving across the background. These stages often involve precise aiming and quick reflexes.
The game features a health bar for Quentin and lives, with power-ups available to restore health or replenish ammunition. Each stage typically concludes with a boss battle, regardless of the gameplay style.
Plot
The story follows Quentin, a secret agent working for an organization known as "VICE." He is tasked with investigating a mysterious drug known as "Project Doom," which is rumored to be linked to alien technology and an organization attempting to conquer Earth. Quentin's mission intensifies when a scientist, Dr. Terry Kaper, is kidnapped, believed to be involved in the creation of this alien substance. Quentin must infiltrate various enemy strongholds, confront the perpetrators, and uncover the truth behind Project Doom before it's too late. The narrative often incorporates elements of espionage, sci-fi, and action movie tropes.
Development and Release
Vice: Project Doom was developed by Aicom, a Japanese company known for several action games on the NES, and published by Sammy Corporation, primarily known for arcade games and later for Guilty Gear and Sammy Atomiswave arcade system. The game was initially released in Japan as Gun-Dec (ガンデック) in April 1991, with the North American version following shortly thereafter. The Japanese version featured slight differences in aesthetics and character portraits. The game's multi-genre approach was ambitious for the NES hardware, attempting to offer variety beyond typical single-genre action games of the era.
Reception
Upon its release, Vice: Project Doom received generally positive reviews. Critics praised its ambitious and varied gameplay, highlighting the seamless transitions between different styles as a refreshing change. The game's graphics and music were also often commended for the NES platform. However, some criticisms were directed at its sometimes challenging difficulty, particularly in later stages, and aspects of its controls, which could feel clunky in certain segments. Despite these minor issues, Vice: Project Doom is often regarded as a hidden gem on the NES, recognized for its innovative design and its effort to push the boundaries of action gameplay on the console. It has maintained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts.