Madness Inc. is quite simply a brilliant game. In basic terms it is an extremely

 difficult (and ultra-violent) side-scrolling shoot 'em up with beat 'em up elements thrown in. You control the game with both the mouse (used for weapon control) and the keyboard (used for moving about the screen).

There are many aspects that make this game so much better then almost anything else. The graphics and animation are simple and yet ooze class at the same time. Considering how simply everything on the screen seems to be drawn, it is amazing how impressive such simple graphics can be. This may sound morbid but seeing an enemy shot in the head or the stomach with the various weapons can be absolutely hilarious. The sound may not quite live up to the graphics but it is more than adequate for this game with very satisfying weapon noises and explosions. It won't take you long to be totally immersed in this violent world (providing you're not adverse to mindless violence).

The biggest highlight of the game is the game play, which stands head and shoulders above almost anything else I have played. As stated above, you use the keyboard and the mouse for control. I must warn you that this combination will never totally stop frustrating you, as it seems to be designed to make the game all the more challenging, and more then does its job. Keyboard / mouse combinations are usually used for first person shooter games, so it is extremely hard to get used to this combination in a 2d side-scrolling game.

What does make the game play great however, is the hilarity of the over-the-top violence and the many practice modes which you can choose to play the game with. There is a matrix mode, a zombie mode, a throwing knife mini-game, a 'shoot the laser' mini-game, a free-for-all practice mode and after you have practiced for days, the real game (you'll need the practice - believe me). There are lots of weapons to pick up and use including baseball bats, knives and all manner of small and large guns. Within the game itself, between levels you are able to gain new abilities such as increasing the power of the bullet-time ability included in the game.

What all of this adds up to is one of the best freeware games you will ever play, providing you have a decent sense of humor and do not mind extreme violence. I can't recommend this game enough. Those who don't play this are really missing out on something special.

dow.....

http://www.acid-play.com/file/madness.zip