Singularity, or: “SIИGULAЯITY” if you absolutely have to. Is brought to us by the video game developer Raven Software. Who is known for their previous titles such as: X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the new Wolfenstein game. I was actually exited by Singularity in the first place. I didn’t really know what to expect because I didn’t know that the game existed until the day it came out. But what I saw on that Very day was a chap of mine who were playing one of the first levels where he picked up a gun that shot controllable bullets.
The only thing that went through my head at that point was:”I have got to get my hands on this game”.
Story & Premise:
In the futuristic year of 2010 (wait, what?) you play as captain Renko of the US military who is sent off on a secret mission to an old Russian island that presumably was destroyed during the Cold War. You quickly realize that the island was in fact destroyed during the cold war. And that the whole place has to hell to say the least.
We quickly find out that the island was a hotspot for a very special mineral called E99 which is apparently only apparent on the little island by the name of Katorga-12. And let me tell you. This stuff is powerful. (More on that later).
On this very island Renko gets possession of an old device called: “The TMD” or: “Time Manipulating Device” Which lets our Hero traverse and bend time as he pleases.
The story can at some points get quite interesting and you will definitely want to play out the campaign to see what it all boils down to. You will see some twists and turns that only a time bending plot like this could pull off. (But it still seems like it’s pulled straight of the Back to the future movies and then crossed with the Red Alert series)
But alas the game doesn’t force the story down your throat and keeps the pacing up. And for once: The story is fairly interesting
I would like to make this segment longer, but then again: “I don’t won’t to spoil the story for the readers”.
Gameplay:
At first glance Singularity really looks unique. It starts out like a survival horror game and ends off like a full head on action game.
The controls are really nice. And since the game is on both Xbox and PS3. There is full on controller support for the PC. If that’s how you want to play the game. The only thing that really annoyed me about the controls is that the sprint function seemed kind of broken to me. But after seeing Gameplay footage from other sources then myself I found out that it apparently works just great. And that I am an idiot.
You find your first gun within an hour of the game and bullets come in a somewhat short supply. You’ll be forced to pick your fights wisely, even on the medium difficulty.
The plot comes down in a nice flow with your own improvements and about two or three hours into the game you get your hands on the main selling point of the game: An improved TMD left by the creator: Dr. (something Russian). And this is when the game picks up.
The TMD is a very interesting device that lets you not only travel trough time in some occasions. But also manipulate the age of E99 infused items, such as Specific boxes, monsters, staircases etc. and in all honesty. I do think that the device could have been used better. And that the game could have had physics system such as Half Life 2.
Speaking of Half Life 2, the TMD also works as a makeshift Gravity manipulating device that lets you pick up certain items that are infused with the mystical E99 material.
Any other part of the game is based upon regular First person shooter mechanics. You point your gun at something. And that something usually dies. So the game definitely got its mechanics right. However that TMD could have been utilized better. Since the game don’t have any noteworthy Physics beside the usual. And since the time mechanic is limited to soldiers and context specific zones.7
As I mentioned before, you encounter a few friendly allies during the assault on Katorga-12. And while they are no Alyx Vance they do help you out quite a bit, and even though you don’t get to see them a whole lot you grow at least a little attached to them… but only a little… since their animations can be a little rough around the edges. And the fact that their voiced don’t always co-operate with movements.
Presentation & Design:
I have to give the developers credit. The game somehow manages to run with near max specifications on an old Media computer. Without any significant slowdown nor graphics flitching.
The Game is powered by the unreal engine and therefore consists of the usual “First Person Shooter” syndrome where everything has to be dirt brown or gun metal grey. But that’s only a bit of it! During the game you get to see both dark and edgy houses as well as gorgeous vistas that foreshadow the future events and reflect on the past. And in some occasions there are actual colors to spot.
The Characters are done with quite a bit of style. Ensuring that the doctor from the 1950′s actually looks like a doctor from the 1950′s… however I don’t get that the special Russian freedom fighter wears casual clothing. And not a combat approved attire… I mean. The island is infested by Zombie like beings. Why wouldn’t she wear something along the like of Renko?
But even though that the areas looks better than others. And the fact that some textures looks very pixilated the game does look overall great. Especially your weapons and the TMD.
Conclusion:
While the game could have used some improvements it’s definitely worth a play trough. And if you don’t get a kick out of the multiplayer you could at least rent it. But I personally would get it so that I could play through the campaign a second time at some point.
It may seem a little weird with the rank of the game since the review sounds a little negative. But the main mechanics works out quite good. There is nothing below average. And the story kicks the ass of most video games stories:
Singularity gets: 74 out of a possible 100. In my book 70-80 means that the game is above average. There are some points that could have been improved. But overall it’s a good experience.
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