End Game - PS2

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Also for: Xbox
Viewed: 3D First-person, Gun game Genre:
Shoot 'Em Up
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Cunning Developments Soft. Co.: Empire Interactive
Publishers: Empire Interactive (GB/GB)
Released: 31 May 2002 (GB)
13 Jun 2003 (GB)
Ratings: 15+
Accessories: Memory Card, GunCon 45
Features: Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only

Summary

Taking the best elements from Time Crisis and Virtua Cop from the lightgun genre, End Game, developed by Cunning, is Empire’s latest attempt at the gun-wielding arcade game.

Set in the near future, in the continent now known as the United States of Europe, citizens have immersed themselves almost entirely in a world of virtual reality. The company behind the technological masterpiece, EuroDream Technologies, is about to update this digital world, but the sharp-minded Jade Cornell suspects an evil wrongdoing within the company is about to come to light. You must assume the roll of this feisty redhead and undermine EuroDream’s sinister plans, whatever they are.

That’s quite an involving plot for a light-gun shoot-em-up, we’re sure you will agree, but that’s where End Game’s strength lies. Arcade-style shoot-em-ups are notorious for their short-lived, weak plots, but End Game captivates the player with a more involving experience. Players of this game aren’t just shooting their best to reach the next stage of the game, they want to see what plot twists lie around the next corner.

The game itself, featuring fully rendered 3D environments, but with a fixed position and point of view, offers little in the way of originality. But it doesn’t strive to be something it can’t be. It’s a plain shoot-em-up, but a good one at that. EuroDream’s henchmen come at you from every direction and become more ruthless as you progress. Holding position in each safe spot, whether behind a wooden box or a car door, you must emerge fully loaded and take out as many enemies as possible before reloading for another bout. Defeat all bad guys within the area to proceed to the next. Boss fights are more challenging, but focusing on one individual is often easier. You simply have to figure out their attack pattern and use every opportunity to fill them with lead until they hit the floor.

Just point and shoot, it’s that simple. End Game has been on the cards for a while now, and the finished product is clearly worth the wait.