Red Ocean Preview

Posted on March 18th, 2007 at 8:07pm by Pocketminx

Red Ocean is a straightforward first-person shooter that combines fast-paced, uncompromising action with a unique scenario. The game revolves around an old secret research installation on the ocean floor. A terrorist organization has taken control of the facility and is using it in their hunt for a horrific weapon of mass destruction and they're determined to take out anyone who stands in their way. It starts off as just another tourist diving trip for Jack Hard, when he is hired to retrieve a sunken submarine. Instead he gets caught up in a global conspiracy. The infamous terrorist organization United Arms has discovered a new source of energy on the ocean floor. It is sure to change the world forever - but to what end? The terrorists are planning to use it in the construction of a weapon of mass destruction! Jack soon realizes that it is up to him to avert the global cataclysm.

Well from the 3 levels ive seen the promise of a real good gun fight has been snatched away. Why? I will tell thee right now.

Firstly the graphical side of things aren't that new! Yes the graphics look nice. But thats it. Just NICE. The scenes are all rather gloomly lit to give a sinister feel to the game. But where you have some awesome atmospheric music while the levels are loading the ingame music is far from atmospheric. You get a sort of bumby dance tune that may be there to make the game feel action packed. But it just doesn't work when you are all alone in a dark room.

Then we have the gameplay itself. Jack Hard wobbles as he walks giving you the feeling he has one foot smaller than the other. Or maybe he is flopping round the place still wearing his flippers. This is annoying if you are trying to strafe the screen while shooting as the crosshair sways aimlessly across whichever target you are trying to shoot. This then brings up the issue with the AI of the enemy. As you explore and open a door in the distance you hear "Hey whose there". This firstly gives the element of surprise a kick in the shins as you know the baddies are on there way. Secondly if you stand still as each of the baddies comes running round the corner they amazingly stop in exactly the same spot each and everytime. So all you have to do is pick a spot, wait, aim and fire. There go all the nasty men and thats that. If this is still the same at the time of general release im sure there will be a lot of punters feeling short changed. The only thing "Hard" about the levels I played were the name of the hero.