WinBack: Covert Operations

"One player or Four, WinBack is a BLAST!!!!"

Intro:

First off, let me tell you this: Winback was good on N64, played well, and was overall good. It did, however, lack any graphics power, sound quality, and overall polishing to become a ''truly'' good game. I originally played this game on my friend's N64, and we loved it to death. Now that it is on the PS2, I get to take it out for a second spin-and this time, second time's truly a charm

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics have been improved and have been touched up from the N64 version, and the game looks really, really good. The once blocky characters have joints--joints! (you have no idea how the fact they have joints make me happy) The backgrounds have been cleaned up, and the game just seems to run smoother. For a first generation PS2 game, the graphics are simply stunning. Lighting details, bullet trails, shadows, and the entire background scenery have been redone with care and make the game look like it belongs on PS2.

Sound: 9/10

The sound in this game is superb. The fact that you can switch between Japanese and English dubbing is enough to raise the sound rating an entire point, in fact, I'll do that.

Sound: 10/10

There, that's better. The music, when it comes on (which is when your health is in the yellow) gets your adrenaline going, and you just know that the next hit may be your last. It adds to the entire atmosphere, and while people may complain that the lack of music all the time may make the game boring, it really helps. You'll need all the silence you can get when sneaking around, hearing for soldiers.

Controls: 10/10

The game's controls are 100% responsive in all areas, don't feel stiff, and aren't too sensitive. The controls are easy to learn, but take a while to master. You use one button to raise your weapon (a la Resident Evil) and aim it with the analog stick. You can use another button to ''capture'' an enemy in your sights (auto-targeting), and another button fires. One button is used to fire, roll, stick to walls, and do all actions. Easy, huh?

Gameplay: 10/10

My only gripe is that you can't move or strafe while shooting. I quickly realized that this is not needed, for you can duck and pop out of corners to stealthily shoot and hide. The game has 3 different endings, 31 levels ranging from open areas to industrial warehouses, and the game has key moments that will decide whether or not you will reach the ''best,'' ''good,'' or ''bad'' ending. This game has great one player replay value, which is great for gamers like me, who live far away from me and I am the only child in the house.
The combo of great controls, awesome sound, and an enthralling story make for a very great experience. This is a perfect blend of action, strategy, and stealth--a perfect game for people who don't like the too-stealthy approach of MGS2 (like me), or the survival-horror games that have gotten way too cliche (also, like me).

Story: 9/10

Speaking of story, this game has one. Basically, the story is just there to provide a reason for forward progression, why you are shooting people and infiltrating places, and why you are where you are in the first place. Basic action stuff here, but hey, when you have a great action game on your hands, a story is there to provide a backbone. This game's story is just that-a supporting structure.
The story is basically this: a group of terrorists have taken over a weapon that can destroy buildings in one shot. The group, the ''Crying Lions,'' have destroyed a Space Center using the weapon, and threatens to use it again if the government that you work for (I have no idea what it's name is...) doesn't withdraw from the country of Sarcozia (I think that's its name). Of course, they don't comply and they decide to sneak S.C.A.T. (the strategic covert actions and tactics team, i think that's what it stands for) in the inner workings of the ''Crying Lions'' and stop them from launching the satellite again.

Replay: 10/10

The game has great single player replay-it has regular story mode, max power mode (which gives infinite ammo to all weapons), and 3 different endings. Much replay by yourself. And, OH MY GOODNESS the amazing single player bot mode.

Multiplayer speaking, this game has deathmatch in spades. 2-4 players can play an enthralling game of kill-each-other in a wide variety of settings. The multiplayer Bot Mode is great, with up to 6 computer bots playing along with your human players. Lots of fun, and lots of mulitplayer games.

Features: 8/10

The game falters here, with only 5 weapons: Handgun, Silenced Handgun, Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, and Machine Gun. It's kind of disapointing, but it's all you need to win the game. They made it so that you get the bare-bones weaponry. Oh yes, you also get C4 but it's only used on occasion to blow open walls...
The lack of weapons, while disappointing, doesn't take away the fun of the game at all--not by a long shot. It's not enough to detract from anything, and at the same time it also provides a challenge-using what you start with to make it through 31 levels.
I gave this game an 8 because I took 1 point from the weapons, and 1 point from the fact that it doesn't really add innovation to the action game genre. Everything in here has been done before, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't play this game. The features in this game are so well executed that, even though everything has been done before, it still makes the game more enjoyable, since you are probably already familiar with all of the game mechanics.

Buy or Rent?
If you want a medium-paced action game with a little stealth mixed in, buy this game. If you liked MGS2 but wished there was a little more action and a little less stealth, get this game. If you didn't like MGS2 because of the fact that the entire game focused on stealth, you should also get this.
If you are a casual action fan, I recommend that you rent it first. If you don't like it, it's just 5$ lost, and hey, if you like it, you can probably find it for 30$ or less now.

Even though this was a first generation PS2 game, it is still one of the better PS2 games out there.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/27/02, Updated 05/27/02