Expendable

Review by Hsieh

"Expendable is quite expendable..."

Expendable is a shooter-type game in which you, a muscular commando-type guy (with a big gun that shoots out energy pellets) must attack and defeat the opposing forces of aliens and their robots. It sounds just like a run-of-the-mill shooter, except for one thing - IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, even in the first levels.

Gameplay: 7/10

The game play is actually pretty well-done. You can collect special weapons other than your bazooka-type gun, and some of them help you out a whole lot, considering that there are sometimes SWARMS of enemies. But after the ammo (very few shells) run out (which wouldn't take 2-3 minutes), if you're still stuck with a swarm of enemies, you're dead.

Also, the whole game is extremely difficult (except for maybe the later levels, but that could be your skill improving). Finding this shooter-like game under my computer desk, I thought to give it a try, and, well, I nearly gave up during the middle of the first level.

Controls: 6/10

There are two forms of controls in Expendable - keyboard and using the joystick. On the keyboard, controls are simple - movement is the arrow keys, fire is space, and then you have buttons for strafing. That's great, but when you actually try to use the controls, it'll damper down your opinion about it. I tried to move away from a huge swarm of enemies, but instead I ran around in a circle straight into the enemies. Just trying to use the controls to move hurts you, or at least slows you down.

Story/Plot: 0/10
There IS an intro movie, but it's relatively disgusting. And even if it DID have something to do with the story (if there is one - I can't see any), it doesn't seem to be connected with it.

Graphics: 5/10

The graphics are horrible for a PC game - but it doesn't really matter. Even though your character and the enemies may be blocky and unrealistic, it doesn't distract you and get in your way.

Sound/Music: 9/10
The sound and music are actually one of the best points in the game. Because the graphics are terrible, Rage probably needed something to even it out - and it turns out to be the sounds and music. Not all of the aliens' screams sound the same, and they all seem very realistic. The music is awesome, and the vibes sometimes do send a shudder up your spine.

Replay Value: 3/10
Because this game is extremely difficult in that you can't save and that you have to start all over from the first level, I don't believe anyone would play the game all over again after beating it once.

Overall: 5/10
This game isn't good. If Rage had done something to lower the difficulty by a whole lot, then it would probably be a lot better. But in the meantime, play something else, because Rage's Expendable is truly expendable.