Socket (video game)
| Socket | |
|---|---|
 North American box cover | |
| Developer(s) | Vic Tokai |
| Publisher(s) | Vic Tokai |
| Composer(s) | Fumito Tamayama Yoko Suzuki Shigenori Masuko |
| Platform(s) | Mega Drive/Genesis |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Socket, known in Japan as Time Dominator 1st (タイムドミネーター1ｓｔ), is a mascot action platform game developed and published by Vic Tokai for the Mega Drive/Genesis. Players control the titular android duck who must stop The Time Dominator from stealing treasures from the past and messing with the flow of time.
Gameplay[edit]
Socket is a 2D side-scrolling platformer that takes many cues from the Sonic Games such as breakable monitors and Sonic CD's gimmick of time travel. Socket gains more speed and jump height the longer he runs. He also has the ability to kick enemies which acts as his form of defense. Socket has an energy bar, which requires electricity to stay alive. He needs to collect small lightning bolts in order to keep moving through the level.
The game has seven stages that are separated into three different segments. Each of the stages are themed on a specific time period. This shares a similar three-act structure to that of Sonic 1. These segments are known as High Speed Areas, Athletic Areas and Labyrinth Areas.
High Speed Areas are the fast-paced levels that Socket goes through in order to travel through different time periods. These levels encourage a constant flow of speed.
The next segments are Athletic Areas. These are what you would normally see in a regular platformer. There's a balance between moving and jumping than in the High Speed Areas. Both High Speed and Athletic Areas end when Socket finds the nearest Charging Station.
The last segment for stages are the Labyrinth Areas. These levels are designed to be more exploration based with Socket trying to find an exit. At the end of the Labyrinth Area, Socket faces off against Time Dominator within a Boss Fight. After he's defeated, Socket will move on the next High Speed Area.
Plot[edit]
The Year is 2902. The Despicable Time Dominator creates a Time Machine and uses it to steal treasures and artifacts, causing chaos within the flow of time. The Time Wrap Patrol, who prevent this sort of thing from happening, send Socket to fix the flow of time and stop The Time Dominator.
Reception[edit]
Diehard GameFan's reviewers gave Socket scores around 85% and praised its gameplay, graphics, and music.[1]
The game has been criticized for too closely resembling Sonic the Hedgehog.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ "Viewpoint". Diehard Gamefan. Vol. 1, no. 11. DieHard Publishing. Oct 1995. pp. [1].
- ^ "Socket | Genesis | mascot, platformer, Socket, Sonic the Hedgehog, VIk Tokai | Retro Game Age". 23 October 2013.
https://www.destructoid.com/games-time-forgot-socket-time-dominator/
External links[edit]
- Socket at MobyGames
- Socket at Sega Retro. https://segaretro.org/Socket