Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy

"It could of been a classic!"

Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is one of the most innovative games I have played in 2 years. The complete use of the controller, and the ease of said use is amazing. The psi abilities in the game are a lot of fun to use, and the different strategies you can employ make the game a challenge. This game could have been a classic if.........read on.......

Story - 6

Let's see, you are Nick Scryer, and somehow you have forgotten everything. You are captured by The Movement, and there used to be an organization called Mindgate that you were involved with. Yada, yada, yada, it really isn't a very well done story line, as there is a stereotypical General (read, bad guy with world domination in mind), and his cast of bad evil doers, who all know, and don't like Nick. Luckily, the game play is so well done, that the weak story doesn't ruin the game.

Graphics - 9

The graphics are extremely well done. The ability to look around with the right analog stick on the fly is awesome. The explosions rock the screen, and the way enemy soldiers react to the various disposal methods of Nick are wonderful. FMV's are well done, but sometimes a bit long as far as the boring story they portray.

Control - 9

This is so close to a 10, but of the one small complaint....Nick would sometimes slide up against a wall (like he was sneaking) at the worst possible times. This wasn't from a button push, just if you got him too close. I died several times due to this. Otherwise, Psi-Ops has the best controls I have ever played in a game!

Every button does something unique, and I mean every button. The psi abilities are mapped out well, as are combat options. It was very easy to do what you wanted, when you wanted to do it. The aiming reticle was well done, as it was easy using telekinesis on an enemy during a full run, or mind controlling a soldier from a hundred yards away.

Game play - 7

There are 8 different chapters, each being broken down with checkpoints. You can save at each checkpoint, not on the fly. I died several times right before a checkpoint was reached, thus having to go back through a huge level again. In this day and age, saving anywhere should be a part of any action game. The maps are also horrible, as the "you are here" icon is always in the middle of the room, thus indicating you are "in" that room, but no more detail then that.

But, oh does killing hundreds of soldiers in a multitude of different and vile ways make up for Psi-Ops shortcomings! You can shoot them, you can bash them up against walls, you can mind control gas barrels into them, you can make the other soldiers shoot them, you can drop stuff on them, etc. Using your psi-ops, you can invent ways to solve puzzles, or get past levels. This was some of the most fun game play I have had in a long time. Unfortunately, this game is also incredibly short, I clocked in at 5 hours 15 minutes, so with dying, I played for about 8 hours.

Replay Value - 9

Due to the short game play time, and the all out fun of the game, I believe the replay value is high. I rarely replay any game, yet I have finished this game twice, and I am thinking of doing it again a third time. There are also several mini games if you collect a certain power up during your original game.

Rent vs. Buying -

At the time of this review, Psi-Ops is going for $19.99 in the stores. I still suggest renting this game if you have an 8 hour time slot to kill, since even slow players will be done with it by then.

Overall - 8

The game play is so fun and addictive, that Psi-Ops could have been a classic. The short playing time, and the outdated saving system made it come up short for me. It is still a blast to play, hopefully the sequel will be much longer!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/08/04