Written by: Ian

 

 

 

Multiplayer focused games have had a rocky road of late. Original titles like 'Quake 3' sold fantastically, but then games like 'Shadowrun' and the latest 'UT' underperformed compared to expectations.

 

Also, it seems that increasingly gamers are unwilling to pay full price for games that include a sub-par single-player which mimics the multiplayer, but with bots. So, therefore, it’s with some trepidation that I approach the latest multiplayer focused title to hit consoles- "Section 8" from Timegate & Southpeak.

 

 

The story for the campaign is pretty short, and whilst it’s reasonable, showing you the main heroes and bad guys well, it fails to really explore anyone’s aims or purpose, or the reasons behind the conflict in the first place. The quality of the script and acting is OK at least, and there’s nothing wrong with the plot other than it being a somewhat generic sci-fi game with yet more space marines- but, it’s presented well enough that you’ll probably enjoy what you see.

 

 

You can tell that the single player in Section 8 was somewhat of an afterthought when you see the main menu for the first time. It’s third in the list after multiplayer and instant action. However, once you get into the campaign, you can see that at least a modicum of effort has been expended.

 

 

There’s quite a few pretty high quality CGI sequences that accompany the missions, and the story itself is OK. However, there’s just 8 short missions, and as you get an infinite number of lives, there’s no reason not to play on hard really. The game itself isn’t overly difficult as a result, and I finished everything within about four hours. To be honest, more effort could have been made, as it does, once you actually start playing, just feel pretty much like some more scripted training missions. It would have been easier to flesh everything out with more missions on each map too.

 

The only really innovative aspect to the game is the method of spawning when you die- you literally get rocketed out a spaceship and hurl towards the ground. You can technically aim where you like on the map, but if you aim for enemy AAA, then you’ll probably get sliced to bits before you even hit the ground. You also have a choice to make- hit your brakes early and risk taking more damage and getting back into the fight slower, or smash into the ground, but with the disadvantage of being temporarily stunned, and thus vulnerable to enemy fire.

 

 

Instant action also probably won’t appeal to many people. I wouldn’t recommend anyone without a gold subscription getting this game, as instant action is basically another name for multiplayer, but without the option to include other humans. There’s a couple of modes where you have bots team up against you, but they’re a bit meh, and you probably won’t come back to instant action once you’ve wrapped up the achievement points.