Alter Echo

"Too much like Run Like Hell"

I was in our local Funcoland outlet buying my copy of TES III: Tribunal, when I saw a box marked ''free'' sitting on the counter. In it was assorted sports game demos, the WCIII: Frozen Throne pre-order soundtrack, and demo disks of some game called Alter Echo. I had seen the game on the shelves, but didn't pick it up (being the roleplaying hardhead that I am), but decided to grab the demo and try it out. I was immediately familiar with the overall feel of the game as it's much like Run Like Hell, but more in some ways

Gameplay: Overall 5/10
Storyline: 7/10
Semi-basic. Newest discovery is a goop called ''plast'' that is psychically shapeable is found. Heck, the entire planet on which it is found is made of it. The best ''shaper'' known goes to the planet to try to make better plast and succeeds. He goes power hungry and plots to wipe out humanity and replace them and all life with ''plastids''. You and two other shapers go to the planet to find him.

Characters: 4/10
Six characters, very little background story or character interaction. When you meet up with your friends they shoot a couple things, stand on a switch or two, then stand at a door while you clear things out. Your enemies are simply that, enemies. They taunt you a couple times, then try to kill you.

Controls: 10/10
Really basic, just how they should be. Three different attack type buttons, guard, ''special move'' which is to stop time and ser a pattern to cause a devastating attack, and two transformation buttons.

Challenge: 5/10
''Puzzles'', if you can even call them that are all just tests of timing. If you've ever played a rhythm game, you're set. Monsters are set to patterns, so if you know how to fight them, you'll beat them, end of story. Boss attacks follow predictable patterns, too (and the final boss is a pushover).

AI: 9/10
General monster AI is perfect. They know when to guard and when to move. Companion AI is decent. They'll move to an advantageous position and start plugging away. Boss AI has no flaws that I've seen and actually put up a fight.

Audio: Overall 8/10
Music: 10/10
The composer did a wonderful job on the music for this game. With the futuristic atmosphere, this game absolutely screamed for something slightly out there. With a slightly techno-trance style, the music fits.

Voices: 6/10
Eh, so-so. The main character and the villains voices were just fine, but the two support characters were slightly monotone and took away from the character.

Sound Effects: 7/10
Much of the character caused sounds had a little too much bass, and were at times too soft. Definitely needs a little balance.

Graphics: Overall 6/10
I don't know exactly how to describe the graphics of this game. They weren't horrible, but at the same time weren't great. And there were no FMV clips other than the opening and a very small ending. Actor graphics didn't quite match the background, either.

Replay Value: 4/10
When you beat the final boss you're allowed to save your game to replay the ending. That's it. Unless you want to play through the entire game again with no changes, you're not going to have any reason to play the game again. Add this on top of the fact that it's a short game, I see this game becoming a coaster for many people.

Overall Value: 6/10
Unless you want to add another third person shooter to your collection, don't bother buying this game. Just rent it.

Side Note: If you've beaten Run Like Hell, you'll notice that this game has an ending that easily sets it up for a sequel, just like RLH. However, not any people have liked this game and I do not see a successful (if any) sequel in its future.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 09/01/03