Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy

"A Game to Satisfy Your Psionic Needs"

Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is a Third Person Shooter with a fairly new addition. And that addition is Psionics.

The graphics that come with this game are done well. The characters models are detailed, but could've been better. Frankly, the best looking part of this game is your various Psychic abilities. The aura that forms around whatever you're using Telekinesis on something, or the fire from Pyrokinesis, all look astounding. In fact, the developers probably spent so much time on the Psionic abilities; things like Character Expressions were pushed aside. Not that I'm complaining, as most of the time you'll be seeing the Psychic Portion of the game, not the models. And best of all, there is no Frame Rate issues, or at least, none that I have seen. The lighting, even when not using any Psionic Powers, is done on a level that matches some current games.

As I have said in a few other Reviews, the sound in the game is synchronized, though there are a few parts where you'll get the sound late, or not at all. The voices are dubbed over nicely and the various sound effects (Again, from your Psionic Powers, you'll be hearing that a lot throughout this Review.) blend together with the music for an overall great effect. Some of the music, if you even realize it's there, can get repetitive though. Other than that, the Voice Acting is dead on. (For the most part.)

In Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, you use a blend of Guns, Melee, and Psionic abilities to obliterate your foes. There are numerous ways of attacking, and killing. Things that range from hitting an enemy with an explosive barrel through Telekinesis, or draining his Mind until his head explodes. There are also a few other ways using combos. Such as, igniting a box, then hitting an enemy with it, or picking an enemy up with Telekinesis, then shooting him as you throw him around. The AI is overall... Slow, but enough to know what to do. Don't expect them to crouch around a corner, then duck left and start firing. Most of the time they'll just stand there shooting at you, allowing you to kill them with ease.

However, they do have some idea of what strategy is. To the point where you still need to keep aware of your surroundings. There are plentiful ways that you can use your Abilities, whether it be to solve a puzzle, kill something, or just for fun. Throughout the game, you'll get about 6 different abilities. All unique and can be used in some way or another in the course of the game. There are bosses, some of which are hard and difficult to figure out how to beat, while others are just plain obvious and pathetically easy. And you can't forget the best part, the Rag-doll Physics are amazing.

The story of this game is simple. You are Nick Scryer, a soldier who lost his memories, and his powers. The objective of the game is to regain your memories and Psionic Powers, and to stop a General who wants to rule. It's fairly cliched, but still complex. In fact, I think they didn't give enough details, sure we learn who the bosses are, but what's their story? Things like this should've been added, but generally, it's something you're used to. But hey, you'll be more focused on what's going on currently, rather than what's going on in the backdrop.

There is little to no replay value in the main game itself, nevertheless, there are some mini-games and extras after the main game is finished. Plus, there's a little room called the Psi-Training Room. In this mode, you're in a single room, any powers you've acquired from the main game, boxes, explosives, barrels etc... And most of all, buttons along the walls that will let you spawn any non-boss enemy. So if you just want to hone in on your skills, or just feel like torturing a Scientist; this is the room for you.

Graphics: 7/10.
Sound: 8/10.
Gameplay: 9/10.
Story: 6/10.
Replay Value: 7/10.

Overall: 7/10.

Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is for the person who wants to fully experience overwhelming Psionic Abilities. Or, for the sadist who just likes to randomly brutalize things.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/12/06