Phasmatis' Singularity Review

Opening Thoughts

                Singularity is a game based on Time, it is central to the plot and game play. The plot centering on Nate Renko a US Black Ops soldier sent in with a team (who die almost immediately… Okay immediately, they get like 3 minutes face time before deathville) to investigate strange readings on Katorga-12; a former soviet research Island.

                The game suffers earlier on due to the lack of the TMD, a device the games plot centers around that allows you to control time. Nothing major, just revert or age items or enemies (you can supposedly revert mutants but the feature did not work once during my play only aging). The bad guys want it, the good guys want you to use it to save the day and the plot roles on from there.

                Though game builds considerable charm in the beginning, setting up this amazing experience, it then kills it by explaining everything (just about) at 1/3 in the game. Afterward the game tries to recapture this charm and almost succeeds before the end but ultimately left me disappointed the whole way.

                You can literally tell the developers were going with a survival horror angle (especially if you remember any old previews from Playstation magazine or X-Box Magazine) but the producers had them change it drastically into something like a hybrid of Bioshock and Call of Duty (which Activision owns).

                What arguably could have been another classic in the horror genre is instead made into something else entirely. That is sad because what is still left of the original idea and concept shows just how great this game was going to be, not that it is bad not mind you, just off.

 

Like: Aging and reverting items, upgrade system, Notes, Tape Recordings,

Dislike: Unbalances that originate with the upgrade system, made to be like Bioshock/COD, Early game without TMD,

 

Game Play

                Like Bioshock (in more ways than one) this game is a rather linier shooter, you go from Point A to Point B killing anything that dares to try and stop you. Yet like with Evil Dead it is in how you dish out death that makes combat fun, after you get the TMD of course.

                Early on in the game it shows how much survival horror the game was going to be with the hint of a need for precise aiming and conservation of ammo. Unfortunately the game goes in another direction so the earlier stages of the game are somewhat of a hassle, especially when you become desperate for ammo when little is supplied.

                To accomplish your goal you can carry two weapons at a time. These weapons range from a E99 pistol to a grenade launcher and just about every staple in-between with a few unique tweaks to the weapons. My favorite being the ability to slow time while sniping.

                Along the way you will pick up E99 tech which you can spend to upgrade your TMD at the Augmenter. This is where a balance issue arrises. After dumping tech into defensive perks I was able to become a walking juggernaut against the Soviet forces. While fun I am unsure if it is for the best.

                Weapons are collected are immediately added to the Weapon Lockers where you can buy ammo for a particular weapon or upgrade them with weapon tech that you pick up along the way. Unlike E99 tech these are rare and harder to find (in most cases. Others right along your path).

                                The TMD once collected will allow you to age anything infused with E99 into a rusted broken form or renew it back into pristine condition. Other powers the TMD possess are a time bubble where things slow down and a gravity control where you can pick up and throw things quite violently at enemies or whatever you choose. All of these are nicely implemented into the puzzles.

 

Graphics

                The game takes place in two time periods, the present (2010) and a couple different times during the 1950s.

                In the present things are old and rusted and a lot of the time broken creating an atmosphere of ruined civilization. Here you will fight mutants who look largely stock. While there may be a few differences they in part look largely the same from unit to unit.

 

                In the present you will also fight Modern Soviet soldiers. They will be equipped with the same fire power that you have (an even fight, surprise surprise). They will come in different armor, the heavy class with armor immune to the pulse attack from the TMD. While in the end credit did reveal a mech like suit that clearly was cut from the game.

                In the past everything is brand new and looks amazing. The floors are not cracked, the walls still intact, and the people not horribly mutated. Here you will fight regular 1950s Soviets who seem to be well equipped for the day, with weapons that will still pose a danger to you.

 

Presentation

                Starting with the manual, I have to say it is a joke. It barely contains any information what so ever so if you need a quick reference you are screwed. This thing makes some EA manuals look good and they are near the bare minimums. It is a total of 8 pages long only 5 of which contain any information and some of those are not that much and barely can be counted.

                The story was solid, despite my complaints of it being changed during development to mimic Bioshock and COD making it in essence Bio-COD. The story centrals around E99 an element found on Katorga-12 and discovered to have amazing properties. Most of the tech is E99 based and its applications were far ranging, even going so far as microwaves.

                Going any further into the story would reveal plot elements and so I will cut off there. If you play the game you will understand why I chose to stop where I did.

                The only problem is the delivery system, aside from the notes and tape recordings you find which bring great depth to the personal background of those involved in this incident, it likes to dump the story on you. This ends up being a major charm killer and it would have been better to spread the reveals out as you progressed instead of laying them all on you at the same time.

 

Value

                The game comes with a decent length single player campaign and a unique but under moded multiplayer where you choose human or creature and fight each other or capture control points. I don’t think the game delivers for a full priced game but comes pretty close. At around 50 dollars this would be a fair priced game.

Fun Level: 4/5

Closing thoughts

                Singularity had much to offer and it is indeed sad that it was changed for what it is now, yet that is not entirely a bad thing. The is decent length, offers good combat, and introduces some interesting concepts but in the end after you get over the “owe this is new” factor the game comes across as just above average.

                In the end the hybriding of Survival Horror and action in the way the game does it, makes it hard to recommend with assurety (something I like to have when doing so). A definite Rent  to all though.

Final Score: 3.6 out of 5

Parental Warning: The game is rated M for Mature for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language. It also contains some mature topics and inhumane treatment of people. You discretion is advised.