Easy, fast-paced and fun action. Did I mention addictive?
The game is set in something of a near future and starts off with a rather lengthy text intro. You can easily skip this and jump right into the fray as you won't be needing any of the explanations or story to enjoy or understand the game. You get to choose between a number of typical gun-toting mercenaries (male/female) that have minor differences in their stats and perks - yes, you heard right - this action game has rolyplaying aspects. I will leave it at "aspects", because that is all you get.
You can invest points that you receive for level-ups into your stats, however these only make a minor difference to the gameplay. Do not expect a variable stat tree as in Diablo 2 - this is simple stat pushing. You upgrade your intelligence to use better implants, you upgrade your aim for better aim, etc. As you explore military bases, underground labs, etc. you encounter legions of hostile aliens which you - you'll never believe this - shoot with various real life and fictional weapons. The weapons are fun to use and usable in various patterns (weak pistol, medium pistol, powerful pistol; weak shotgun,...). Aliens also come from small spiderylike thing to big menacing and powerful alien. Now don't go about expecting suspense or air-vent-creeping monsters as seen in the famous "Alien" movies - this is a non-stop action shooter, where you slay hundreds and hundreds of aliens each level. This is amazingly funny and thanks to the awesome graphics also very nice to look at. There are few things less enjoyable than using your newly bought weapon on dozens of slimy aliens. The graphics are not always great, some of the animations seem a little awkard, however this does not really weigh in much. The surroundings are fallout-style-gritty and usually covered in viscera, blood and alien guts quickly. There is nothing like entering a "clean" room and leaving behind a gore-splattered room after killing all the aliens in it.
The sound is also very nice, but nothing special. Most characters you interact with or solve quests for have spoken speeches which add to the atmosphere with the voice-actors doing a good enough job. Music also gets very fast paced when action reached its climax and dozens of enemies come rushing at you, which sometimes gives away traps, but mostly makes you enjoy the action movie feeling even more.
Overall this game is highly addictive and will leave you playing late at night, muttering "just one more level" to yourself as the sun slowly sets in the real world again. Gameplay might get repetitive, but similar to Diablo 2 seldomly gets boring. The game is not that deep, but from time to time it's great to just get out there and Hack'n'Slay ... err ... I mean Splatter'n'Slay. Now get in there, mercenary and splatter some aliens for the heck of it!