Game Review and Overview
Abomination: The Nemesis Project for PC is a grim and gritty tactical squad-based game from Hothouse Creations, released in 1999. It drops you into a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly plague has ravaged humanity, and monstrous creatures now roam the ruins. If that doesn’t set the stage for a bleak and brutal experience, nothing will. Combining elements of real-time strategy and squad-based tactics, Abomination aims to put you in the boots of humanity’s last hope. But does it succeed? Let’s dig into the carnage.
The premise is straight out of a dystopian fever dream. A cult known as “The Faithful” is trying to speed up the apocalypse, and you’re in charge of a ragtag squad of genetically enhanced soldiers tasked with stopping them. The stakes are high, the enemies are grotesque, and the atmosphere is relentlessly oppressive. It’s a game that dares you to save the world, but only after it’s already gone to hell.
Gameplay involves managing your squad as you take on missions ranging from scavenging for resources to exterminating enemy forces. Each soldier has unique skills and stats, and as you progress, you’ll level them up, customize their loadouts, and inevitably mourn them when they die in battle (and they will die). Combat is fast-paced and unforgiving, blending real-time strategy with a bit of tactical pausing to issue orders. It’s like X-COM on a bad day, with the tension dialed up to eleven.
One of the game’s standout features is its world map, where you’ll juggle resource management, base building, and mission selection. The plague spreads dynamically, and letting it get out of hand will lead to devastating consequences. The pressure to make the right decisions feels immense, and every victory comes with the nagging thought that you’re only delaying the inevitable.
Visually, Abomination is a mixed bag. The environments are dark and gritty, fitting the apocalyptic tone, but the character sprites and animations feel stiff and dated, even for its time. The UI can be clunky and takes some getting used to, which isn’t great when you’re trying to manage chaos on multiple fronts. The sound design, however, deserves praise. It’s creepy and atmospheric, with unsettling music and eerie creature noises that keep you on edge.
The game’s biggest flaw lies in its difficulty curve and occasional lack of polish. The AI can be frustratingly inconsistent, both for your squad and your enemies. Missions often descend into chaotic shootouts where strategy takes a backseat to pure luck, which can feel at odds with the game’s tactical aspirations. And while the story is intriguing, the narrative delivery lacks the punch to fully immerse you in the world.
In the end, Abomination: The Nemesis Project is a flawed but ambitious game that offers plenty of tense, nail-biting moments for fans of squad-based tactics and post-apocalyptic settings. It’s rough around the edges, and its punishing difficulty won’t appeal to everyone, but there’s a grim satisfaction in surviving just one more mission against impossible odds. If you’re up for a challenge and don’t mind a bit of jank, this cult classic might just infect your gaming library.
PC Game Cheats and Hints
Cheat Codes:
After pressing ENTER, activate the following cheats by entering the corresponding codes:
CHEAT FUNCTION – CHEAT CODE
Win instantly – autowin!
Soldiers are invincible – dolemite
Show enemy soldiers – paul haney sees all
Toggle bottom display – toggle bottombar
Select campaign – set_campaign?