Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy

"A game that stretches the mind."

I'd like to start off by explaining some bad points to this game, as there aren't many. First of all, the game is extremely short. I mean REALLY short. I rented it for five days and finished it in three. While we are on the subject, don't buy psi-ops, rent it. Not that it's a bad game or anything, but you can get all there is to get just by renting it for a week. Also, the multiplayer, quite frankly, sucks, it sticks to the story perfectly, both in storyline and gameplay. It's the gameplay that sucks though. Picture this, player one controls the movement, and player two shoots... DeeDee-Deee! That's about it for the overall design flaws. On to the review.

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics on this game are awesome, the only thing wrong with them is the faces. No detail, but the psi power graphics rock, when someone sets on fire or gets his head exploded, it happens. If you don't like violence, stop and buy Tetris now. I don't want to give away anything, so all I'll say is the the game has tons of gore, realistic gunflash, and great overall graphics.

Sound: 4/10
Some people may disagree with me on this, but I thought the sound lacked suspense. I don't like the annoying music like in The Suffering, but the effects on this game were just to much like a slow paced movie. Basically, good music, bad repetition.

Gameplay: 9/10
Smooth and stoic at the same time, the gameplay in this features a kind of level up based story. Where, as the main character, you remember your psychic powers over the course of the game. (Telekinesis, mind control, brain drain, etc.) I won't go into details on what each power does - as that would ruin the surprise - but I'd like to inform you that liberal use of your first ability, telekinesis, is, even in the latter parts of the game, a good idea. Telekinesis helps to save ammo, as well as add some fun to the game. (Ooh look, a meat grinder and a bunch of foot soldiers...) The only failing on the psi-powers is Aura view. A useless waste of disk space which the game could do without. You get it toward the end of the game, and all it does is add to puzzles... I hate puzzles. Except in games like God of War. :)

Story: 6/10

You assume the role of a brain wiped psi-ops agent named Nick Scryer. (Scry, as in to see the future.) If the game were longer and the amount of powers increased, the game would be worth buying. As is, If it weren't for the graphics, the game would fit on a two-disc Playstation one volume. Buy this game for the fun, not the insight. Hehe

In the end I really liked this game, and still want them to make a sequel. Metal Gear solid fans will love it. I'm sorry, I didn't mention that it was a third person shooter, that you could carry multiple guns, and some of the objects are explosive. All of the objects are interactive. Hey, look, a patch of water and an electrical cord dangling in it. I use telekinesis to move a pallet of wood over, and cross safely. Like I said, the game isn't worth the price to buy it. But that isn't because it sucks, but because you could easily beat it once or twice in the a week, a perfect rent, a bad gift.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/21/05