Critical Depth is a 1997 vehicular combat game developed by SingleTrac and published by GT Interactive for the PlayStation.

The Story Behind Critical Depth

Players choose a sub and an arena in single mode to engage in fights with opposing sailors. Critical Depth is a 1997 vehicular combat game developed by SingleTrac and published by GT Interactive for the PlayStation. Each pod gives its holder an extra power.

The game features three modes of play: a mission/story mode, where the player (or two players cooperatively) can battle through eleven levels; a battle mode, where the player captures pods in a selectable level; and deathmatch, where the player battles against the computer or another human in a split-screen mode. However, during the game's development the company was purchased by GT Interactive, so Critical Depth became the first game to go towards the fulfillment of SingleTrac's terms of acquisition. Critical Depth is based on the concept and engine of SingleTrac's original best selling Twisted Metal franchise (a demolition derby which permits the usage of ballistic projectiles), but occurs under water.

How Critical Depth Plays

Four additional characters can be unlocked by reaching certain goals in the game. The game features three modes of play: a mission/story mode, where the player (or two players cooperatively) can battle through eleven levels; a battle mode, where the player captures pods in a selectable level; and deathmatch, where the player battles against the computer or another human in a split-screen mode. The story is based on the disappearance of undersea explorer Douglas McKragen and the discovery of five mysterious and powerful alien pod-shaped objects.

The goal on an arena is to retrieve all five pods, which are scattered throughout the level, and find the escape gateway. A variety of weapons and upgrades are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage as well as each sub having their own exclusive "special weapon". Twelve different factions enter the sea to find out more about these forces and uncover their mystery, each for its own reasons.

Why Players Still Load It Up

A variety of weapons and upgrades are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage as well as each sub having their own exclusive "special weapon". The goal on an arena is to retrieve all five pods, which are scattered throughout the level, and find the escape gateway. The game features three modes of play: a mission/story mode, where the player (or two players cooperatively) can battle through eleven levels; a battle mode, where the player captures pods in a selectable level; and deathmatch, where the player battles against the computer or another human in a split-screen mode.

Players choose a sub and an arena in single mode to engage in fights with opposing sailors. GameSpot and GamePro both noted considerable draw in, while EGM and GameSpot criticized the frame rate and IGN cited ugly textures and pixelation. To be honest, the whole thing feels like an early '96 PSX game, and certainly doesn't compare to the likes of Twisted Metal II".

Critical Depth — Frequently Asked Questions