Breakdown

"Nothing less of a masterpiece"

before i start i would like to state this is by far the best offline game ive played since halo.

This game is very right when it says u are immersed in this world. This games backround has you(Derrick Cole) waking up in a science center somewhere in Japan. After going through some of the games training(teaching you how to shoot) you are thrown right into combat fleeing for your life trying to discover who you are and whats going on. This game had me addicted from the first waking up from the coma. Everythings in first person view creating a better atmosphere for playing. Everything and anything u can pick up is in first person allowing u to see ur hand movements pick food up(Hamburgersand soda), remove ammo clips from guns, even strange encounters with a white cat(if youve played the game youll know). After gaining the ability to fight the T'lan(alien race you must fight against) i was instantly suprised of how many combos u can do which is one of the major things wrong with this game, most of the game your going to be fighting the T'lan which involves u only using your punching and kicking combos. but after a few fights ur going to be able to use all the combos and it gets repetitive to keep fighting these guys. Fortunately the good people at namco added a nice section of the game where u gain new abilities which comes in a little later in the game these new abilities ive seen unlock new combos but i cant say there are alot of them, ive only seen one which involves a new skill your able to preform which has you launch into multiple punches and charges and energy ball in your right hand and then punching the enemy with your hand causing in some cases instant death. Aside from some repetitive fist fighting the games story is GREAT this possibly one of the greatest storys in an xbox title ive seen.

Review out of 5 *.

Story-*****
Greatest aspect of the game. A true master piece that will have you questioning reality.

Characters-*****
Each and every character you meet has a purpose and carries it out flawlessly through the story.

A.I.-***
Not my favorite aspect of the game. Alex seems more like baggage you have to carry around than an actual help.

Playability-*****
With combat and a immersion through first person this game is solid, fun, and replayable though you dont gain anything through completeing it on higher modes(or so i think...)

Difficulty-*****
This game is very VERY difficult at times leaving you to fight multiple enemies(around 6) with only your fist.(btw Solus fight should get 5 *'s all its own it was very difficult and took me 10+ tries to beat him)

Sound-***
Great soundtrack but some of the time it feels like voice-overs are flooded out by loud backround music. Other than that nearly all the tracks match the mood there played in especially the ending track, it fit the ending perfectly(TrustCompany-Take it all).

Graphics-****
Not perfect but great none the less

Overall- 4/5
This game is very massive and immersive. Awsome story, characters, fights, and sounds this game will have you playing non stop.

now if you havnt bought this game go get it, its great i bought my copy off ebay for $23 worth every penny favorite game in my collection btw if u think i like the game because im a fighting game kind of person i prefer RPGs and Action Games. Now go buy it and expierence greatness.

Good day and happy gaming... Go and buy it =p

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/13/04