Gain Ground (Sega Megadrive)

Gain Ground

It's the 31st Century, and science and technology have progressed to the point that the human race is approaching perfection: no war, no poverty, and no conflict. With nothing to worry about, the human race seems destined to live forever in harmony; but what if Earth came under attack? By this point in time, people did not know how to cope with problems or conflicts, and had completely lost their survival instincts.

In response to this, the United Earth Government created the Gain Ground system, a war simulator that would help humans rediscover their lost instincts. After several terrible malfunctions, the creators became prisoners in their own creation. Now it's up to you and two courageous comrades to go into the Gain Ground system, rescue your fellow humans, and destroy the system. You'll battle through different periods in history as you revive your survival instincts, while trying to stay alive!

Gain Ground Review

By Damo

Gain Ground started life as a largely unpopular 3 player arcade game. Surprisingly when taking into account the relative lack of commercial success it was ported to the Sega Megadrive/Genesis and Master System pretty swiftly. The gameplay is similar to Gauntlet but with a fantasy/sci-fi setting.

You and a friend have to fight your way through hoards of hostile enemies and kill each and every one or try to make it to the exit instead. There is a time limit so you cannot afford to hang about too long. You can choose between a range of playable characters each of which has different weapons and abilities. Along the way you can rescue new characters which have abilities more suited to the environment ahead.

There is more of a strategy element to Gain Ground unlike Gauntlet, however this additional layer of depth tends to confuse things. The playable character’s abilities vary greatly so some are much better equipped for tackling certain levels than others. The problem is there is no clear indication of what abilities each player possesses except for finding out through trial and error experimentation.

There's nothing really outstanding about the game - in fact, at times it's downright dull. It seems to have a cult following with Sega fans though, which might be the reason it's up for grabs on the Virtual Console so early in the day.

It is hard to recommend a below-average game such as this, but if you're after some Gauntlet-style action, then this is the probably the best place to look on the Virtual Console presently.

2/5

Average reader rating: 3.80 (5 ratings)

Please login to rate this game.

Screenshots

Gain Ground Screenshot Gain Ground Screenshot Gain Ground Screenshot Gain Ground Screenshot Gain Ground Screenshot Gain Ground Screenshot

Gain Ground (Video Clip)

Report

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Have your say about Gain Ground

Report

1. emocean Canada 29 Mar 2007, 23:23 GMT

Not sure what you guys were missing, but we've put some serious hours into the 2 player co-op part of the game. Best VC game we've played so far. Graphics, sound etc are pretty blah, but the strategy that you begin to understand after the straight-up button mash killing leaves you dead is what makes this a keeper. Highly recommended.

Report

2. s0m3b0d3 United States 17 Apr 2007, 19:42 GMT

The game is fun when you play co-op. The single player is lacking though. It is the deffinition of "dont judge a book by it's cover". When the game starts, you feel like your having a seizure, after that though its fun. The game itself is not worth 800 points to the moneyless teen, but if you have the money, give it to me so i can get more VC games and write reviews... or just get the game and see for yourself.

Report

3. PresidentLeever United Kingdom 21 Apr 2007, 17:26 GMT

I think the game gets better with multiple plays, but the character system is way too unforgiving as you'll often end up not having the right character available to finish a level. If you don't mind trial & error, you may want to check it out.

Report

4. Matthew Truttling United States 27 May 2007, 07:42 GMT

This is a challenging game and if you're good with strategy this is the game to play because it involves strategy and patience. This is one of favorite games. One advice, when you go far into the game your characters with the high tech weapons and arrows are important because when you face the last boss arrowmen can cause alot of damage and the ones with the high tech weapons will be effective if you use the right strategy.

Report

Avatar

5. Drake Netherlands 24 Jun 2007, 18:22 GMT

Sorry Damo, but this is one of few VC-R reviews I disagree with. It's one of the most original strategy games ever to me, and it's helped by a great soundtrack and great gameplay.

Report

Avatar

6. SKTTR Germany 06 Sep 2007, 05:52 GMT

Called my buddy in, downloaded Gain Ground and played it straight for 5 hours and we must say every hour was worth a star.
This game is surprisingly fun. I'm glad i didn't passed on this. It is highly addicting.

if you like fun and easy twoplayer-games, get-ready-go-arcade-action, and 50 varied stages, a bit of strategy and thinking, good music, 20 different party members each with his own special fighting abilities, get this!

One of my best VC downloads.

Report

7. President_Leever Sweden 30 Jan 2008, 14:36 GMT

^ I wouldnt say its easy though, and not very arcadey either since it's mainly a strategy game.

Leave A Comment

Please login to post a comment.