Videogames-To-Flix #21

Strike Back below!

by: Alex Keen Sep. 20, 2006

VIDEOGAMES-TO-FLIX is a JoBlo.com column showcasing reviews of videogame translations of Hollywood films (or games soon-to-become Hollywood movies). With both industries getting closer and closer, and videogames, in general, getting so much more popular, you knew it was just a matter of time before we hit that stuff!

PREY

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Developer: Human Head Studios & 3D Realms Entertainment
Publisher: 2k Games
Systems: XBOX 360 and PC

INTRODUCTION:

Long in development, PREY hit PCs and XBOX 360s this past summer. This first person shooter revolves around alien abduction from an Indian reservation. You play as Tommy, a Cherokee disinterested in sticking around. Despite his disinterest, Tommy is on the reservation when the aliens attack. With his girlfriend and grandfather also kidnapped, Tommy has to fight his way through 20+ levels of aliens and puzzles to save his loved ones.

The story melds FIRE IN THE SKY with some DOOM-style action. Similarities to DOOM 3 aren't just coincidental, because the game shares the same engine. Players familiar with DOOM 3 (as well as most other standard FPS games) will feel right at home with PREY. For better or worse, gameplay and graphics between the two games are similar.

This is a review of the XBOX 360 version because I love Achievements and Microsoft has yet to implement Achievements for the PC. No plans have been announced for porting this game to other next gen consoles, but it might fit quite will on the PlayStation 3. Look for a new expansion pack soon with added multiplayer maps and character types.

GAMEPLAY:

Among the ranks of first person shooters, there are a variety of gameplay designs in use. Some games rely entirely on a run-and-gun philosophy. Players can run from one end of the board to the other without stopping to check on ammo or health. Stopping might lead to death, so why do so? Other FPSs rely on stealth, teamwork, resource management, and/or puzzle solving to deliver a unique experience. Specifically, PREY relies heavily on run-and-gun and mixes in healthy doses of puzzle solving. Players will need to momentarily abandon non-stop shooting to search for visual or auditory clues that reveal where to go.

I enjoyed the frenetic battles for their base pleasure, but can't find much about them to qualify as unique. Tommy battles an endless barrage of faceless alien creatures that rarely provide variety, nor do they present new challenges. The only peculiar gameplay variant is gravity. Levels include multiple gravity defying catwalks that rotate your field of vision and disrupt the standard placement of cross hairs. If you're used to hundreds of headshots, you'll need to adjust your targeting.

The puzzles in this game aren't incredibly difficult nor are they overwhelming. They introduce a much needed break from fighting without being too stressful on their own. Most of the time clues aren't easy to come by, but exploration will help you find your path. Particularly, one puzzle I initially hated became one of my favorite experiences in the game. This Rubik's Cube like puzzle gave no indication of its solution, but trial and error eventually revealed a rewarding experience.

Unfortunately, the final boss fails to challenge either the puzzle portion or the run-and-gun gameplay. If you've played a video game before, you'll recognize the pattern required to end this game. That's a shame because some innovation at the end could have completely changed this gameplay experience.

Gameplay: 8.5/10

GRAPHICS:

PREY delivers next gen graphics for a majority of the game. Levels are expansive and detailed. They live up to scrutiny from multiple angles and variance of perspective. Because this game has 22 levels, some repetition in design occurs. It’s not distracting and should be expected in a game of this type.

Character models are quite good in-game. Enemies are disgusting and off-putting, exactly as they should be. They do look derivative of other games in the genre, but don’t look overwhelmingly unoriginal. My only problem with the character models is during cut scenes. Lip-synch is an important design decision in games and PREY fails to provide an adequate experience. Characters’ lips often don’t match dialogue and are often just flapping away on their own. This is a distracting and dated design flaw.

Overall, the graphics will satisfy your next gen needs and won’t take away from your experience. Some of the human characters look artificial, but fortunately their interactions are secondary. If you can accept the concept of the game, your graphical needs will be met.

Graphics: 8.6/10

AUDIO:

In accordance with PREY’s graphics, the audio in this game delivers the goods. Levels sound like you are on a spaceship and provide great atmosphere. The weaponry and explosions filled my heart with joy and fervor as I slaughtered endless brainless beasts. The designers peppered in a consistent barrage of expletives from Tommy to add to the games intensity. I especially enjoyed this feature and thought their sporadic nature was well planned.

PREY also includes licensed music throughout some levels. The songs were perfectly chosen and well integrated into the game. Instead of just paying for songs, the designers were smart to use music as a plot device all on their own. This might be one of the best uses of licensed music I’ve seen this year.

Voice acting, despite not synching with the character’s lips, is consistently convincing. Having such extensive development time shows that the script and story were well fleshed out for the cast. Both leads, voiced by Michael Greyeyes and Crystale Lightning, sell the story and kept me engaged. However, the true standout here is John William Galt’s performance as grandfather. Galt is inspiring as a performer and in his performance. Very rarely does a character go beyond the scope of a game to convince you to care. Galt does this and does this quite well.

Audio: 8.9/10

FINAL VERDICT:

PREY is an above average shooter that will appease DOOM and QUAKE fans looking for a new fix. The story is a new take on a well established gaming genre (so are the weapons). For the most part, the graphics look and feel next gen. With plenty of support from the voice actors, PREY stands out as one of the most immersive new properties to come out this year. The game is not revolutionary, but strong enough to recommend to the average gamer.

OVERALL SCORE: 8.6/10

STATUS OF THE MOVIE:

Okay, so currently no movie is in development. No one from Human Head Studios will even talk with me about an upcoming movie. However, the company did tease about a screenplay coming in 2007. Check the following story for some rumor and conjecture: Joystiq.com. PREY could make a great movie, but the likelihood of it being some kind of mess starring The Rock is more likely than anything else.

MY XBOX GAMERTAG:

FRIEND ME!

Source: JoBlo.com's Cool Columns