At E3 2009 in Los Angeles we got to check out a ton of interesting titles, one of those was the futuristic first-person shooter titled Singularity, from Activision. Being a totally new IP and utilizing gameplay mechanics we love and hate in unique ways Activision is stepping up to the plate of originality. Backed by their development company Raven Software, famous for Hexen and Jedi Outcast, Singularity looks to be one of the few surprise hits of 2009. Taking place in present day with a newly capitalist Russia Singularity revolves around Nate Renko, a U.S. Air Force recon pilot, a time manipulation device (TMD), and a mysterious island with a violent past. Some of this sounds familiar but Raven is focusing on the story elements. So far, Game Informer reports, they are keeping quiet; however, they did offer a few morsels. A top secret cold war project that went south (as most do) destroying and island in the process and sending the rest swinging back in forth in time is unearthed.
They haven’t told why you are there but there are plenty of Russian soldiers and the Island is prone to shifting from present day to the 1950’s when the accident happened. Gameplay is built around the TMD attached to the protagonist’s left hand. Instead of everything being affected at once by the player with shifts of time, the TMD interacts with specific objects laced with E99. The premise lends itself to promising gameplay. Your TMD is capable of four different abilities that affect enemies and your environment. With the age ability you can fast forward locks and supports crumbling them into rusted dust. When focused upon your enemies they are reduced to piles of bones. The “revert” power works like a rewind button. Broken bridges are repaired and, taking the high road, enemies are not turned into babies but “placental reverts that live a horrible, tortured, existence for a few minutes before dying.” The stasis power pulls objects out of their timelines and holds it in front of you.
When combined with the last power, impulse, objects can be picked up, restored, then flung back into the faces of unsuspecting foes ala Half-Life 2’s gravity gun. The impulse power lets you shove objects and outright kill weaker enemies. Using these four powers players explore and fight their way through the strange island. The TMD won’t be your only weapon against the Russian guards and anomalies. The standard FPS fare of pistols, sub-machine guns, and shotguns make a welcome appearance in your right hand. Currently, they don’t relate to the time mechanics but Raven’s affinity for the genre, they won’t be tacked on either. To further the complexity of the island and its past strange creatures have made it home. Zeks and Phase ticks are the only two sci-fi creatures revealed but it’s possible they won’t be the last. Zeks are “possessed bodies of hapless victims that pop in and out of reality to attack.”
Phase ticks live in hives and act like the “flood infection form,” exploding upon contact. These creatures attack everything human which includes the guards. You can lead a group of guards to a phase tick hive and enjoy the show. Be wary, if the AI is aware of the nest they may flank you right into it. With the TMD there is also the possibility of time sensitive creatures but only time will tell. Raven wants to focus on the story through exploration and in-game cinematics. Breaking away from the current trend of regenerating health and limited weapons Singularity offers a bit of the retro. You have a health bar and can carry as many weapons as you find. Using the TMD players can search for health, ammo, and back-story fragments. Like Doom 3 notes, audio tapes, and film reels give the player insight into the events that transpired. You can also use the TMD to revert blackboards and view any writings throughout their lifetime.
The developers stated that Singularity would have “over two dozen in-game movies” in the hopes of delivering a powerful story inside the unique gameplay mechanics. At one point you must use the TMD to restore a large ship to pass through it. After restoring the massive beast you race through the hull as it decomposes. Jet streams of water burst from rusting bolts and walkways decay beneath you. All while you battle Russian guards and anomalies pulled through from the restoration. Activision is taking a risk with Singularity and from the looks of it we may be the ones getting the reward with its strategic combat, fresh gameplay mechanics, and time sensitive puzzles. With Raven at the helm and the interesting information provided thus far we can be confident that Singularity is going to be good. How good? With polished screenshots and a hopeful 2009 release date the wait, hopefully, won’t be too long to find out; stay tuned.
