Vortex (video game)


Vortex is a 3D shooter game developed by Argonaut Software and released by Electro Brain for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in September 1994. Titled Citadel during development, it is one of a few titles designed to use the enhanced graphics of the Super FX powered GSU-1.

Gameplay

The player pilots an experimental mech called the Morphing Battle System against the five worlds of the Aki-Do Forces. You head into the Vortex, to save the Deoberon system, retrieving the core from the fierce forces, the Aki-Do. The MBS can transform between four different modes, The Walker, Sonic Jet, Land Burner, and Hard Shell. This fueled unconfirmed speculation that the concept may have been derived from an unreleased game based on . However, in a 2015 interview with Retro Gamer, programmer Michael Wong-Powell confirmed that Vortex and Transformers were entirely separate projects, with the latter being cancelled during development.

Release

In March 1994, Argonaut Software was signed as a third-party developer by Atari Corporation to develop games for the Atari Jaguar platform. A port of Vortex for the Jaguar was announced at Spring ECTS '94, but it ultimately never released.

Reception

Electronic Gaming Monthly scored the game at 6 out of 10. They remarked that the pace is slow, but complimented the unique concept and high challenge. GameFans three reviewers scored it 79%, 72%, and 70%. The game was criticized for its difficulty and its lag, which was common for Super FX games of its type.