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Platform: PC
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Restricted Area Hands-On
Restricted
Area is a stab at the action RPG genre made massively popular from the
Diablo series. The controls are fairly basic, the battles happen in real
time, and the focus appears to be on taking down as many enemies as
possible so that you are able to build up your character to more
efficiently take down as many enemies as possible. Despite the seeming
pointlessness of this, the hands on experience was both fun and
addictive. I've always been a sucker for improving upon something and
building it up. Whether it is adding better parts to a PC, or improving
automotive performance, I enjoy the satisfaction of making something
better than it was before. At the heart of its purpose, an RPG appeals
to this nature in people. That, and the fact that reaching level 99 and
bashing the snot out of a whole line of monsters is loads of fun. Throw
in a good storyline, and the game can at least serve to entertain, if it
is not earth shattering. Of course, I'm sure the developers would likely
argue that the game will be earth shattering.
Having
the opportunity to test the first few hours of the game really left a
couple of distinct impressions with me. First, the game's simple
graphics somehow manage to have a really luscious and detailed
appearance. To me, the game looks great from the fantastic cutscenes to
the game menus. As you'll see from the detailed features listed below
from the developer, the game has its own engine that was developed for
it. These all serve to set the cyber punk mood that the game is going
for. The game takes place in 2083 where corporations are the real law
and pollution has spawned dangerous areas filled with mutants. You pick
one of four characters in the single player campaign. There is no
convoluted character creation as you will likely want to play the game
through each of these four characters as each one follows roughly the
same storyline, thus revealing different plot points. Although I only
got to play through a snippet of the story, it seemed like a promising
and interesting tale. The skill upgrading allows for a lot of decision on how you would like to play. There is a skill matrix such that when you upgrade some base skills after you reach the appropriate level for a pair of skills, you will gain the opportunity to learn a new higher level skill. These can range from greater defensive capabilities to the ability to handle new weapons. Of course, |
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you will also be able to upgrade your base attributes such as strength and intelligence. A large part of the game is also the cybernetic implants that you can equip, and the items you will find and be able to use.
The other impression that I received was that the game was truly action oriented. Through a very simple interface, you are given the chance to clear out some mutant infested areas. The |
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only
thing that remains to be seen from this is if this simple gameplay can
hold a gamer's interest for the duration of the storyline. There are
some minor strategic points in doing battle, but these are more twitch
reaction skills than true strategic elements as the game is action
oriented after all. The remaining feature set does look full as it
includes multiplayer co-operative play, and unlimited subquests and
levels. If the game can indeed be interesting for its entire duration
with the simple game play elements, Restricted Area could be a sleeper
hit. Features: Action-packed Cyber-Punk RPG which brings you into a dark and fascinating world comparable to Matrix and Bladerunner.
Four totally different characters with unique skills, each with a detailed back-story, progress independently through the same narrative; the story is revealed from various angles.
Complex roleplaying system: Each character has access to misc skills and to unique skills related to its characterization: 75 skills with 10 levels (750 skill levels in total). Uncountable number of weapons, Cyberware and Bioware to boost your abilities.
Dynamic dialogues adapted to the situation and the player's actions.
Unlimited computer generated subquests and levels.
Cooperative Multiplayer mode.
Takes advantage of IRIS, the fastest and most powerful engine ever written for an isometric game, which took over two years to create and which has been created especially for Restricted Area. Innumerable visual effects, for example dynamical lights and shadows, rain, fog, smoke, dust, fire, water, explosions and reflections.
Advanced combat system for fast-paced action with shooter elements. Environment effects combat. Imagine light, shadow, distance, height level, weather and movement of the target affect the chance to hit.
Advanced AI with group tactics that reacts on your “visible strength” – the perceived strength and condition of your character, like the weapon in his hand.
- Mark Leung (May 7, 2005) |
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