Games for Windows 95 - Locus
Channel: Rayko Diarghi
Date: 2020-08-04

-- Disclaimer at the end of the video --

Next up in the list is Locus, developed by Zombie and published by GT Interactive in 1995 for Windows platforms. One of the hidden jewels of the era, a game that should have had more attention if you ask me.

Locus is a 3D sports game, in which 3 teams, each with 2 players (at least in the demo), fight each other in an arena (with peculiar shapes), where the teams need to deposit an orb, into one of the enemy team 'houses'. You'll get the idea when you see it in the video.

So it's kinda a battle car game with some sports approach to it, in fact, you never destroy any of the other team's vehicles, you can just stun them with a laser to steal an orb if they were carrying one. There are a few map elements that come into play too, like energy recharges, speed ups and some rail-kind of path that straightens your path.

It's really fun to play, and might be even more fun with real people. In a sense I consider this game as a precursor of what Rocket League is today, but much more sci-fi and brutal. It might not be actual soccer what you play on Locus, but it kinda has some feel to it.

The demo has 3 arenas to play, and only one team to play with. Enough to get you engaged, even though the AI is not particularly impressive, they can score on their own and get you out of the game. 3 orbs are needed to take one team out, and the last team remaining wins the round.

Great idea and quite impressive for the time, with actual 3D implemented. I remember playing this little demo quite a few times, it was confusing at first, but once you get the idea, it's just fun to play with.

I couldn't find other gameplay videos about this particular game, or more information even. Maybe I'll try to find a copy of it just to make a full playthrough. Maybe.

Enjoy!

Locus wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locus_(video_game)

Zombie Studios wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_Studios

Return to Manhattan Space Station
https://youtu.be/ncX_sbIGxv8?t=248