| SEAMAN REVIEW |
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ESRB Rating: Teen
1 Player
Supported Peripherals: Standard Controller, VMU, Microphone (included)
Online Playable: No
Reviewed by: thoppe
This game is one of the definate "must-have" titles for any Dreamcast gamer. As the somewhat comical name suggests, Seaman (chuckles and snorts in the background of the Sega DC Gamer U.S.A. offices as I type this) is the main character/creature of this game, and it is your duty to rear and raise him from egg to adulthood. A real wisecracker in the truest sense, Seaman (more laughter) exists in the virtual world of your television and the cyber-aquarium therein. Reacting to your voice, he "learns" to understand you, and within a few days, to converse with you.
Take good care of Seaman (snort, snort, chuckle) and you'll have a new friend, but neglect him and he will be sure to fill your ears with his witticism and attitude. While caring for Seaman (more guffaws) you must solve the puzzles hidden within his viquarium, help Seaman (even more laughter) evolve to his terrestrial form and then aid him in accomplishing his ultimate destiny...
While more of a bizarre aquarium simulation than an all-out game, Seaman (giggles from Damien that quickly subside due to my annoyed glare) is one of the best titles to be released here in the U.S. this year. You will find nothing like it on any other system, and that alone shows Sega's determination to make the DC stand out from the rest.
This game possesses quite a few good qualities, including but not limited to one of the most advanced AI's (Artificial Intelligence) seen to date, good albeit not flashy graphics, superb ambient sounds, simple and easy to learn controls and the free microphone peripheral included free in the packaging.
Seaman (snicker, chortle) is a constant "work-in-progress" as you are playing it, and provides the player with a realism, albeit bizarre, rivalling that of a real pet. Also, due to the nature of the game, players are provided with many many days of enjoyment (This is not a game which is played through in one sitting!). Seaman (more laughter from the peanut gallery) has a witty sense of humor, and it is often used to convey an educational lesson or wisdom. Finally, the occasional puzzle presented in the game provide an interesting change of pace, and place the player in a situation where they must think out their next move.
The nly drawbacks I found with this game were the oten lack-luster (boring) background graphics and the sometimes "sketchy" voice recognition system (which got frustrating at times), but the game as a whole more than made up for it. Seaman (snicker) should definately be considered as a permanant addition to be proudly showcased in any Dreamcast gamer's collection.
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| SEAMAN | 
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| OVERALL RATINGS |
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GAMEPLAY: 8/10
DIFFICULTY: 7/10
CONTROLS: 8/10
GRAPHICS: 7/10
REPLAY VALUE: 8/10 | | OVERALL: 8/10
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