Advent Rising

TL:DR ===== Advent Rising is the first of an incomplete trilogy of sci-fi action shooter games with a third person perspective and an intense focus on acrobatic moves and psionic powers to support a solid dual-weapon shooter design. It boasts impressive graphics that age well due to stylized design, and voice acting and writing that elevate the game to its status as a high quality, compelling scifi epic that will sadly never be completed. It is well worth playing for fans of the story genre and/or the gameplay genre due to the rarity of a truly excellent storyline, and the smooth and slick controls with integration of firearms and psionics. Introduction ========= Advent Rising is the first of a planned trilogy of space opera games. A unique plot and excellent gameplay were marred by a host of bugs on the initial release, causing the franchise to crash and burn without ever being continued, much to fans' distress. Orson Scott Card is credited as the leading author of the script - he is well known for the novel Ender's Game. Gameplay ======== Gameplay is fairly straightforward. Advent Rising is at its heart a third person shooter, and boasts a decent selection of weapons with mastery levels. Later events in the storyline introduce psionic powers that can be used to devastating effect, first supporting and later superseding firearms as a primary offensive tactic. Advent Rising is also notable for achieving the rare accomplishment of successfully integrating entertaining platformer-style melee combat into a shooter. Levels are straightforward, similar to Halo in their illusory open design with chokepoints to channel the player along a predetermined path. Slim reliance on scripted encounters and straightforward enemy AI lead to a slightly bland experience in the early game, ameliorated by the palette of weapons and psionic techniques that can later be abused to knock enemies about unmercifully. Special note should be made of the acrobatic elements, which combined with efficient targeting aids make leaping and dodging about in firefights not only essential, but highly entertaining to perform. A special bullet-time mode is activated during some acrobatic movements, creating an almost cinematic feel as the player can leap sideways into a room and clear out all the enemies within in midair almost effortlessly. Controls ======= Controls warrant a separate category. The keyboard controls for Advent Rising are malodorous, leading to complete and utter frustration and repeatedly slamming one's head against the nearest hard surface. I cannot recommend this game wholeheartedly to anyone that is unwilling to invest in a compatible gamepad (to my knowledge most gamepads would be supported). This was originally a console title, and this fact clearly shows in this category. Sound ===== Weapon and psionic sounds are quite serviceable, evoking a rather Star Wars-esque feel with the twangy scorching of laser fire and the hum of the psionics. Voice acting is far from sub-par, although the aliens do have more appealing voice overs than do the human characters. Explosions are appealing and the music was very good, keeping up the proper dramatic space opera tone. Story ==== Since Advent Rising actually has a story, it is impossible to describe it in any detail without spoiling it. Suffice it to say Card built upon a rather formulaic Chosen One vs. Unspeakable Evil cliche and made it something unique and emotional. Final Score ========= Advent Rising cannot be faulted for being released in a bugged state or the subsequent lack of sequels. Although this may have been due to the developers' mismanagement, this should not reflect poorly on the game itself. If a player keeps in mind that they will never see the end of the story due to rights holders and copyright restrictions (a thought that might depress some) he or she will find this game to be a refreshing oasis in a sea of stale Space Marine scifi shooters. A resounding 5/5 for strong story and character development, nearly flawless gameplay, and appealing visual style.

Imagine the worst of Max Payne, Halo, Star Wars, thrown into a blender with an overt tryhard Hollywood Soundtrack, composed by a living ego vampire. Meet Advent Rising. The game was so prosaic that even a million dollar contest couldn't move units. It's worse than that. It's bland, boring, and painfully nondescript. It was the student copying notes from the A+ students that got a C-. And this isn't even getting into the vanity that kneecapped this game. By the time this game was released, the Revolution had been revealed, so the big players knew better than to pull absurd decisions such as claiming trilogies before proof or acclaiming themselves as the taker of the throne. (A Halo killer, in this case.) The technical aspects of this game are so buggy that even a merchant in Vangers would tell you to tone it down. That game is literally about bugs. I've already touched on the music, and the controls are as noodly as the character models in the game; so the enjoyment of spaghetti is mandatory. And do hope your favorite color is some shade of aged piss yellow, as the main interface is in that color. Oh, and the game tries to pull a sequel hook, but that never happens. Enjoy never having a resolved plotline involving a Deus Ex Machina.

Once in a while there comes a game that changes everything for you... then, there comes this! Before this I have to say one of my fav games was Jedi Outcast, it had a great story line, and was a blast to play. Then this game came along, seemingly out of nowhere... and wow. thats all I can say, I just loved the plot for the game, and wish they had more! Granted the original PC release was a tad buggy with the religious securom checks ... but that was easily bypassed with a no-cd patch. This still stands as one of my most fav games of all time!

I really wish there was more to this game. It was one of the first games where I really enjoyed the decision making (do I save my brother or my girlfriend?) and felt like it had an impact on the story. Also, the story is an epic, sweeping, incredible ride that ends in a cliffhanger. If someone would pick up the rights to this and finish it, I would be eternally grateful.

If I can sum up my review it would be: just pay the $6 play one of the most original scifi games ever. I would put this game right next to beyond good and evil. They are similar in very many ways. Great story, addictive fun gameplay, incredibly epic soundtrack. Unfortunately too many didn't like it, and it didnt sell. The biggest problem is it was meant for a trilogy, and it certainly is obvious. While the story is self contained, it leaves much to be figured out. As a a young man this game changed my life and made me want to become an artist. Its just a beautiful experience thru and thru, that hopefully if there's any good left in this world, will get a sequel.