Singularity (PS3)

Singularity


Company: Raven/Activision





"Great Scott, Marty, we've made a time machine."
"You mean to tell me Doc that we made a time machine out of Russia, that's heavy."
"Not as heavy as the convoluted plot of this game."
"Look on the bright side Doc, at least its not another lame zombie game."

Time travel, one of the most unused plot devices in the video game world. There is so much you can do with it. But ever since Max Payne, we've been content with just slowing down time. Singularity aims to stop all that with their new survival horror FPS.


You play as Renko, the strong, silent "Gordon Freeman" type soldier for the US. You hear news that Russia (one of the most used enemy governments in video game history) built an island, Kotorga-12, in the 1950's to do experiments on an element called E99. An explosion on the island caused all experiments to cease and the plans to go under. But in 2010, strange radioactive lights are found over the island and America sends in Renko.


Shooter games that involved Russia in 2009-2010

4. Call of Duty: Black Ops
3. Singularity
2. Goldeneye
1. Modern Warfare 2


The game is a blend of different techniques from popular games. If you took the gadgetry of Half Life 2, the smooth shooting mechanics of the Call of Duty franchise, the puzzle solving skills of Portal, and the bullet impact of Unreal, then there's a good chance that none of this game will throw you for a loop. The real treat is that the enemies are not zombies or hell demons. You fight mutant creatures that have time-infused powers. This requires you to use your time freezing powers in order to stop them. Some enemies need to be forced through a time push to prevent them from disappearing, while some enemies need to be put in a time stop bubble that gives you free reign to hammer on them. All this is done through your limited TMD which gives you these powers. One of my favorite powers is turning a baddie into a mutant and having it attack its own people.


The game is split into 2 types of combat: mutant fighting, which is more like Resistance and soldier fighting, which is more like Call of Duty. For guns you have your standard rifle, pistol, shotgun, chaingun and grenade launcher varieties, which can all be upgraded. You can also upgrade perks for healing, defense and your TMD powers. All these things revolve around and blend into a story that is more bells and whistles than actual substance--but you will have fun playing it nonetheless.


But the game is not without faults. Singularity is a survival horror game, but I was only truly scared three times during the single-player campaign. The game starts off wonderfully with a great background story, atmospheric elements and an eerie undertone that would make Silent Hill fans proud. The middle of the game loses that and replaces it with puzzles and shooting mechanics. The story only has about four places where actual plot is laid down and explained. Like most shooters, the only way to end a threat is to drop a huge bomb to fix the problem. Character development and atmosphere seem to die down immediately after they're established.


Games where setting off a bomb fixes the threat:
1. Resistance 2
2. GRAW 2
3. Halo
4. Singularity
5. Medal of Honor




The graphics are a lower quality than Medal of Honor or Call of Duty: Black Ops. Some of the facial and clothing textures are bland. The environment is clean looking and well fleshed out. One odd thing you will notice is that the Russian soldiers sound like angry French Homer Simpsons on crack.

Ultimately, Singularity is a smooth and enjoyable ride, from start to finish. It really shines in some gameplay elements, but those are few in the game. Other than that, I would not mind saying that this IP would make for a great sequel.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Time travel has always been of great fascination to me and I am glad Singularity decided to explore it. According to Einstein, it is scientifically impossible to manipulate time. God on the other hand has traversed that realm. He has seen both the beginning and the end. He knows all the paths we can take and how our decisions alter reality. He is always present with every human, and yet His presence is very personal. God always uses his omnipresent ways to show his care for creation. He watches over time, interferes with it to present Jesus to the world and even guides it to show He is in control. What effect does God's power have on you?



Content: M rated, for massive gore, profanity and violence

Pros

+ Good blend of shooting and TMD mechanics
+ Sequel potential
+ A smooth thrill ride overall


Cons
- Not the prettiest game
- Intense moments are at the beginning of the game

B

MMA (PS3)

MMA
PS3, EA 

If there is one thing EA studios is good at it's taken someone else's idea and trying to beat them at it.  They haven't had an original idea since Mutant League Football, but they sure are good at improving ideas.  Here is the proof.
Tony Hawk = Skate (EA)
Call of Duty = Bad Company (EA)
Guitar Hero = Rock Band (EA)
The latest new venture for EA is attacking THQ's UFC license with a brand of their own.  MMA is a non licensed cage/ring fighter with a few tweaks and whistles.  The game is an honest effort to bring MMA fans to EA, but you have to ask yourself if its really worth the hurt thumbs.
TALE OF THE TAPE
MMA has one big mode that acts as the single player element of the game.  You create a character and then you are shipped off to Elite MMA  to be taught by Bas Rutten.  From then on you train through different mini games, get into matches and climb your way up the contracts to become the best MMA fighter.
SIZE UP
How is the fighting compared to UFC Undisputed 2010?  These games have so much controls, stances, positions, modifiers and strikes that you cannot make a realistic one without making things complicated.  So far, all the MMA type games involve heavy use of the right stick, which seems impractical.  In MMA you control all your strikes with the right stick.  The trigger buttons modify kicks and blocks and the face buttons clinch, grapple and reverse.  MMA is complicated, but its easier to understand than THQ's adversary and eventually you get it with enough tutorials.  What I find is that these games turn into button bashing and stick waggling when it comes to the ground submission.  No matter how well your controls are mapped out, you are still aimlessly killing your thumbs to get from a dominant position to a belly to side.  Sometimes it just gets frustrating getting knocked to the floor and knowing you will have to wriggle your way out.


Career mode is the meat of the game so that leaves Quick Fight and Online as the other two modes.  Quick Fight unleashes the unimpressive combatant list, which includes Ken Shamrock and Bobby Lashley into the mix.  Other than that I was wondering where Kimbo Slice was.
Online is by the most impressive of all the modes.  EA created a live fight television show for other players to watch including live commentary.  If you rank up enough your matches are included on the show.  It is pretty cool to hear real commentators use your sign-in name and treat your character like a living athlete.  I have to say that I am impressed.
Graphics are very similar in character models to Skate. The models are lifelike and the blood looks real.  Overall, I think EA is exceptional at making realistic looking games.  It is required by law that all Mixed Martial Arts games have long load times and EA lives up to that rule.  Music includes all the cheesy rock you can handle, plus one Linkin Park song.
Overall, this game is a lesson in less is more.  EA focused all its energy on presentation, nifty TV show broadcasts and all the licensing that remains.  The effort is well received, but this game is a nightmare for any controller.  It takes great fascination and patience with MMA to truly enjoy its great production values.  MMA fanatics need only apply.

SPIRITUAL POINT
Many people have misconceptions about MMA sports.  To an outsider it seems like its just two guys ripping each other apart like animals.  But there is much respect, honor and discipline incorporated into the sport.  It's more like a very physical puzzle where two athletes struggle to overcome their opponent's size.  I have always felt the same way about my relationship with life.  Life is always a combatant facing against you.  It's sizing you up, looking for an opening and trying to get you into a submission.  But I have learned that even when we tap out or get knocked out, we return to God to train a little bit more for the next bout.  Nothing prepares me for life more than knowing that God gives me unlimited chances to face life's challenges and the wisdom to do it.  But probably the greatest advantage is knowing that Jesus already won the hardest match against life in a battle 2000 years ago.
Pros:
+ Broadcast Online
+ Good looking graphics
Cons:
- One mode
- Frustrating controls
- Fanatics only
C-