|
By Dan Blomberg on August 10th, 2001
Introduction Well the PS2 will definatly see a slew of survival horror games, but Extermination is supposedly an "Action Panic" game. Yet the game was made by some of the creators of Resident Evil, you know that little game that started all the survival horror popularity.
You play Dennis Riley, of the special forces. You are sent on a mission to investigate a military facility in the South Pole, where strange happenings have went down. Apparently there have been creatures, resembling cockroaches, that cause viral infection in people, who will die in a few hours if a vaccine is not administered. But the game is basically what Syphon Filter and Resident Evil would combine together to make.
Presentation The menus usually stay easy to go through, but sometimes can get a little messy.
The first thing I noticed was a moving camera and no prerendered backgrounds. You do not have to swivel to change your facing direction, which is a big plus when you are surrounded by tons of little cockroach-like monsters that spit green goo. I never noticed any slow down during my playing. The game, while not often, offers small puzzles.Graphics & Sound While lacking sometimes, the grapics are usually very good, and small effects like the way the water moves while you run in it, really give a sense of realism. I must mention this because it really makes my friend mad, and this game finally puts it there, is that while in first person view you can actually see your feet. One thing I don’t like, is that with the PS2s power I really like to see glass effects like when it breaks, and the glass in this game won’t break, while a small detail, I think it would add alot to the realism.
Well the sound isn’t bad, but the voice acting is cheesey at times. The music very well fits each situation.Gameplay The mix of the Syphon Filter feel and the Resident Evil type of plot is very well done. Very neat things like hitting a switch and seeing a train coming at you at 70 MPH and having to get out of the way set this apart from just being a Resident Evil rehash.
Dennis has a wide array of interchangeable parts on his gun, so there isn’t any need for a new whole gun, just the right part for the right ammo. Dennis also has a vast array of moves he can do, which includes combo attacks, hanging from ladders and shooting, jumping from a ladder to ledge and many others.
The game uses a portable battery pack and save terminals to save (like using Ink Ribbons eh?) your game.
While there are its fair share of puzzles, they’re usually not too tough to figure out, but there are a few brain teasers in there.
Sometimes you might find it a little hard to get right on one of those little boogers, but once you do you get to see them die....which is pretty neat.
Lasting Appeal This game may not be the best in the survival horror realm, but remember its an "action panic" title. But the game isn’t bad, but probably won’t have much replay value for most of you.Conclusion If you can’t wait for Resident Evil Code: Veronica X or Silent Hill 2, this game should hold you until then. If you don’t buy this game, rent it. |
