The lighting processor used in Shadow Master allows for complex effects. The debris processor is similarly advanced and is capable of controlling hundreds of polygon fragments bouncing and colliding in 3D space with minimal slowdown. The process of doing this provides the game play - exploring, fighting the occasional monster, unlocking a door and so on. In this respect it's more like R-Type than Quake. Crystals are dropped in various quantities by nearly all the creatures in the game when they are destroyed.
Crystals disappear quickly, but when collected give a small energy boost.
They are meant to encourage the player to be aggressive in combat, rather than hanging back and sniping at targets. Specific creatures, when destroyed, drop a weapon pick-up. This object remains active for a short period of time during which you can collect it by driving over it. These pick-ups correspond to a specific weapon type that is then enabled or enhanced. The standard multi-purpose weapon.