Treasures of the Deep

[Dolemite]

I've been playing this a lot recently in an attempt to whittle down my PS1 pile o' shame. It's an underwater exploration/combat game. Damn, what a job Black Ops did on this one. It's hard to believe the same developer is responsible for the pile o' poop that is the Terminator 3 movie game.

Anyway, I've always been interested in underwater exploration and sea life, so this game is right up my alley. Black Ops really nailed that underwater environment- random schools of fish are everywhere, kelp, seaweed drifting, sharks (including Great Whites and Hammerheads), dolphins, crabs, a giant octopus, you name it. Even the limited draw distance associated with most PS1 3D games works in Treasures' favor, as it accurately re-creates the murky low-visibility you get when deep underwater. Even the physics of swimming/piloting a sub seem spot on. For a PS1 game, the graphics still hold up today, IMO.

You're presented with a series of missions, ranging from salvage to rescue to exploration. You earn money from each mission (there's many bonuses, like rescuing dolphins or finding hidden crates of gold) which you can use to purchase better weapons, equipment and subs. The missions have a great variety to them and each one is unique. Along the way you'll find yourself fighting hostile underwater creatures (don't shoot friendly ones, you'll be fined!) as well as pirate subs and scuba divers. You have weapons such as a rapid-fire speargun, torpedos, mines, missles, and nets at your disposal. You can even get out and scuba dive into areas too small for your sub to fit.

Even the sound effects are perfect, including the sound of the respirator of your breathing gear and dolphin calls. The music is very professional sounding, ranging from calypso-sounding stuff to dramatic orchestral arrangements.

Overall, Treasures of the Deep is a great game. Too bad Black Ops hasn't made a game since that's lived up to it. You should be able to find it dirt cheap by now, and if you do, get it. Now.

[Compass]

Yeah, I've been interested in this game since I read a preview/review in Gamefan back in the day. I've been a big fan of underwater games like Everblue 2 and Ecco in the past even though I hate water in real life.

Anyway, yeah, I gotta pick this one up to play in the fictional free time I'd need to have available to actually get around to playing a fraction of the games I have and intend to finish eventually.

[Videodrone]

Dolemite summed it up pretty well. Not much more to add. This is one of my 50 favorite games of the psx generation.

[Mzo]

I got this one because of GameFan... it still sits in my pile =X

I think I'll bust it out this weekend.

[Jeremy]

I've always been meaning to get this, but have never been able to find a complete copy. Until then, the demo will suffice.

[Dolemite]

I got this one because of GameFan... it still sits in my pile =X

I think I'll bust it out this weekend.

See that you do, goddammit.

I've always been meaning to get this, but have never been able to find a complete copy. Until then, the demo will suffice.

The demo's what sold me on the game. The mission is "The Wreck of the Conception", yes? I loved that demo.

[skelly]

I've been curious about this one for a long time, but got recently disinterested when I found out it was Black Ops behind it. So it's still good then, eh? Interesting. I quite enjoyed Everblue 2.

[kingoffighters]

Indeed, it is such a great game that Namco snatched the publishing rights to this great little gem.

One of the few PSX games I still have.

[Dolemite]

I've been curious about this one for a long time, but got recently disinterested when I found out it was Black Ops behind it. So it's still good then, eh? Interesting. I quite enjoyed Everblue 2.

Yes, I know it's hard to believe considering the shit they shovel out nowadays, but Black Ops really made a fantastic game with Treasures Of The Deep. Way better than Everblue 2, IMO.

Shame how Black Ops turned out. I really thought they had potential.

Indeed, it is such a great game that Namco snatched the publishing rights to this great little gem.

Yeah, I thought it was odd at the time, since you usually don't see Namco publishing games other than their own. Good call on their part.

[DHG Otaku]

i've been thinking of picking this one up for the past few months from reading an old issue of GF as well...after all this testimony my mind is made! :P