A solid game but misses the target. RENT IT FIRST !
Area 51 does a very respectful job, just like most Hollywood movies. It isn't ground breaking and doesn't use the best graphics, but is certainly up there with some of the best FPS games. I was unable to find a MULTIPLAYER part to the game, other than the online option (useless to me) - anyone here know any different? Because of this, the game lacked a bit for me.
The game does so well for a couple reasons; firstly from my other reviews, you might know that I think ATMOSPHERE is very important, and this game does do it well - the eary sounds and good lighting all help. Add this to a solid gameplay setup means a recipie ofr a very good game. The intro and cut scenes are very nicely done. The story is just kind of okay, but hey, what do you guys expect - it certainly does just fine for me. The actual ingame graphics are typical PS2 quality - not bad but nothing special, for 2005 we expect somthing better.
The actual GAMEPLAY is very solid and is just as smooth as the likes of Half Life and Timesplitters. What more can I say? Well, I could complain about the tiny things, like you get stuck on the environment somestimes and the jump is barely worth while. As for enemy AI, the game is only average and I'd expect a multiplayer version of the game to suffer slightly - the movements are predictable to a degree, but they do provide covering fire for each oterh and work as a team - making it harder for YOU, Yeh!!
The selection of guns, futuristic style, are a cool as any. However I did notice a resemblance to some older games. None of the guns seem to be unfair or too slow. Reload and all that is there.
The biggest weapon is your mutant change. You find you are able to morph into a wild beast type thing with the steriotypical super strength and claws. The vision goes all funny and I avoided this mode mostly - however some levels required it.
The levels are quite good, mostly if not all are indoors. This annoys me just a little. Also I noticed a resemblance to some old games, notably Turok 2 or even Perfect Dark when going into the Alien ship bay.
So as great as this game is, it didn't take long to complete. There are no side missions worth a mention; nothing to test your brain. So its a silky FPS game that soon comes to an end. So to have a multiplayer option missing, makes this game have NO replay value, unless you go online - but how many people play this game online? ...... Imagine this game, with huge multiplayer levels, alien space ship hangers or whatever, it would be great. Then to have the story mode with objective that are more taxing like Perfect Dark - this could be a 9/10 score.
A great game that could have done a lot better. Worth a rent, but not worth buying at its original price !!