Knife Edge: Nose Gunner

Knife Edge: Nose Gunner is a video game for Nintendo 64 made by Kemco. It was released November 27, 1998 in Japan and November 10, 1998 in North America.

This ridiculously named Nintendo 64 game has been touted as a light gun game (Like Time Crisis) but without a light gun. You control cross hairs on the screen and shoot things in a first-person perspective, while your movement is automated. If you've ever played the Jurassic Park arcade game, It's probably a lot like that. Just so you aren't a total sitting duck, you use the C-buttons (Those are the yellow ones on the right side of the controller) to dodge or avoid fire.But the game has more to offer you than that! There's the main single player story mode, or if you're a wuss, you can choose practice mode. The story mode has multiple paths through it to increase replay value. But as an interesting choice for this kind of game, Kemco allows up to 4 players either battle it out or participate in a multiplayer story mode.

Plot
The game describes a "New Frontier Plan" announced by the United States at the end of the 20th century; an ambitious program to enable humans to migrate to Mars. The United States Congress approved an enormous budget for the National Aeronautics and Space Agency to initiate development of this program. Other technologically-advanced countries also participated in the plan. Through an unprecedented cooperative effort, the New Frontier Plan members had built an orbiting space station; life on Mars would soon be a reality.

This plan for developing Mars was officially named the "Mars Frontier Project" (MFP). At the end of the 21st century, a domed structure called the "Plant" was built on Martian soil, and colonization finally began. The first wave of colonists applied themselves to terraforming the planet for human survival; adjusting the atmosphere and securing water resources.

Half a century passed. On Mars, the air was breathable, and oceans formed as the southern ice caps continued to melt. Trees and shrubs gradually flourished; Mars was evolving from a planet of red dust into a lush, green environment. At the beginning of the fifth emigration wave, MFP officials received an alarming report from the Martian colonists; "Unknown lifeforms were appearing near one of the colonies."

Upon receiving the reports, key government officials on Earth were alarmed. To protect the colonists, the United Nations established a military relay station on the Martian moon Phobos and built a military post on Mars itself. This was the opportunity that restless armed forces worldwide had been awaiting. One day troops patrolling an undeveloped part of Mars discovered ancient ruins with what appeared to be signs of alien life. A reconnaissance unit was immediately dispatched; they reported that the ruins were of a civilization destroyed around the 11th century, Earth time. One theory was that the restored atmosphere had awakened the previously dormant Martian creatures, who had been sighted in the area in the past.

Soon after this the trouble began. First, communications from one of the other colonies was suddenly cut off. Then, one after another, each of the other colonies as well as the military post lost all communication channels. An investigative party could leave immediately from Earth but would require several days to reach Mars. The United Nations therefore ordered a test squadron for a new type of experimental assault aircraft, stationed on Phobos, to investigate and eliminate the disturbances on Mars.

Soon after the squadron was airborne, transfer station monitors received the final communication from the military post on Mars: “Mayday! Mayday! What is that?! It’s crawling on the surface… It’s attacking!! Mayday, mayday!”

Characters
Michael Samson (Second Lieutenant, American) A young gunner sent to investigate the trouble on Mars. As the gunner, he rides in the automatically piloted experimental aircraft and blasts the enemy. Although he has an impulsive side, he burns with a sense of duty and will bravely stand up against the attacking enemy.

Gregory MacKenzie (Wing Commander, British) Samson's commanding officer who gives the player instructions and information from the relay station on the Martian moon, Phobos. A classic career British military man, he is calm and composed, and his subordinates unquestionably trust his judgement. While in active service, MacKenzie won fame for his bravery as the top pilot in the Royal Space Force.

Dr. Linx (Exo-archeobiologist) A noted scientist specializing in ancient alien theoretical biology. Linx was sent to the military post on Mars as an archeological researcher. Amazingly, she survived the enemy attack that destroyed her research colony. Because of this experience, Linx has valuable information about the enemy invader.

Gameplay
Knife Edge is for one to four players. The player, while moving between the locations of the game in the Knife Edge ship, controls a cursor that fires vulcan cannon bullets. When more than one player is playing each cursor is color coded to distinguish them. As well as the regular gun, there is the option for a secondary weapon. Hints are provided by a commanding officer over the communication system.

Movement of the vehicle is clearly predetermined, but the player is given some ability to move in the form of the four C-buttons on the controller. When a button is depressed the ship will move slightly in the corresponding direction. This is used primarily to avoid obstacles and attacks.

Reception
IGN gave Knife Edge: Nose Gunner a poor 4.6 out of 10 overall with criticism about the presentation and the graphics stating it was blurry, bland, boring and slow.