Guardians

Guardians is a science-fiction action game built around the familiar idea that humanity needs someone brave enough to deal with an assortment of hostile forces. The player explores dangerous environments, battles enemies, and gradually works through a series of challenges that demand both reflexes and persistence. Its presentation has the unmistakable flavor of early 1990s computer games, with straightforward graphics and a focus on gameplay rather than cinematic spectacle. The science-fiction setting gives the action some atmosphere, while the straightforward mechanics make it relatively easy to understand. Difficulty can be unforgiving, as games from this period were rarely interested in protecting players from their own mistakes. Guardians is therefore best approached with patience and a willingness to learn enemy patterns. It may not have the production values of later action games, but it has the directness of an era when reaching the next level was supposed to feel like an achievement.