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The U.S. Army has received a distress signal from Area
51 where a viral outbreak has just shut down the research
facility and the automated quarantine procedures have locked
all scientific and military personnel inside. A small Special
Forces unit including specialist Ethan Cole of the HAZMAT
(hazardous materials) division is sent to investigate. As
Cole, players delve into the massive levels within the confines
of Area 51, only to discover a deadly mutagenic side effect
of the virus that controls the minds of those infected, as
well as an ancient alien colony buried beneath the facility.
Cole must solve the enigma of Area 51 before the viral mutagen
is released and irrevocably mutates all life on Earth...
Most
of you will already be aware of the rumours surrounding Area
51, and the fact that it doesn't supposedly exist (if the
US government is to be believed). This game opens at the same
start point as the original 1994 Coin Op - right in the thick
of the action.
Shortly
after an unusual viral outbreak has occurred deep within the
confines of the facility, you're sent in to investigate the
disappearance of numerous scientists, shooting your way through
five massive levels. There's no telling what sort of biologically
altered enemies you'll face, in was has to be one of the best
looking PlayStation shooters I've ever seen. If you want to
get technical, there's bump mapping, specular lighting and
z-buffering to the max, but in English, it just looks really,
really great.
Game play is broken up in new ways also, with players meeting
up with another squad of soldiers in the middle of a battle
with a swarm of mutants. Pinned down, as the enemies continue
waves of attacks, players will have to arm a pair of giant
gun turrets and prepare them for use. After these turrets
are ready to go a pair of soldiers will take charge of them
as and you can enjoy watching a few waves of mutants getting
mowed down by the awesome firepower of the turrets. Then you
get a chance to man one of the turrets, unleashing the most
impressive display of firepower that these mutants have and
will ever see.
The
lighting really does play a part in the later levels, with
dark corridors and empty rooms only brought to life by the
reflection of fire from the walls, making a deeply immersive
experience. Oh, and did I mention that David Duchovny provides
the voice for the main character in the game? It's probably
because his voice is the same in every single role he plays.
If you can imagine someone falling asleep while reading a
script, you're pretty close. Otherwise, the audio in the game
matches up to the visuals, with different sounds for each
weapon, extensive team audio, and a more than adequate supply
of screaming mutants.
While
the multiplayer part of the game could've done a little more
than provide another game mode, the single player experience
alone is worth the price, and I'm sure you'll enjoy a few
hours exploring the worlds most secret underground base...
Allegedly!
Gareth
Williams
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£29.99
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£36.99
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£32.99
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