C-12 Final Resistance - PlayStation

Rumoured to be the last development from Sony's Cambridge studios, C-12: Final Resistance hits the shelves carried along on a mighty wave of propaganda. After a couple of brief teasers of C-12 on free demo discs from certain PlayStation magazines, hopes were high for this game, so has it surfed the aforementioned wave or drowned in its own hyperbole?

The storyline concerns alien invasion of Earth and central character Lieutenant Vaughan is sent to wage war against the extraterrestrial forces, which have taken to capturing humans and enslaving them, turning them into half-human, half-alien warriors. At this point, the more cynical amongst you may be thinking that the last thing the rickety old PlayStation needs is another 'alien blaster' game. How many more does one really need? The answer is at least one, because C-12 actually proves to be worth the wait. The visuals, whilst looking distinctly old-school, are gloomily atmospheric, and the soundtrack is as unsettlingly creepy as anything delivered by any Norwegian Black Metal band you care to mention.

Controlling Vaughan is easy, and his agility and abilities are plentiful. The way the developers have worked a first-person mode into what is notionally a third-person game is very nicely done. Weapons and gadgets have to be searched for thoroughly and are pretty much essential to your battle, so leave no stone unturned as you make your way through the post-apocalyptic setting. There are regular communications from your 'eye in the sky' to keep you informed of your progress and a real sense of involvement as you solve puzzles and enter into combat.

If C-12: Final Resistance really is the last shout from Sony Cambridge, then they've gone out with a winner. Let's hope the developers' obviously fevered imaginations can bring us more of this kind of stuff sooner rather than later.
more