Advent Rising review

For once, the storyline takes the driver's seat in an action game

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Wonderfully paced plot

  • +

    Game gets better as it goes

  • +

    Vast outdoor areas

Cons

  • -

    The "flick" targeting system

  • -

    Choppy framerate

  • -

    Will we see the rest of the trilogy?

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Most video game plots stink. For every brilliantly penned epic like Half-Life, there are dozens of True Crimes whose narratives wouldn't impress a sixth-grade English teacher. That makes the science-fiction actioner Advent Rising a particular treat - it delivers both power and plot.

Orson Scott Card (author of the sci-fi classic Ender's Game) spins humanity's survival against a race of aliens (the Seekers) hell-bent on their destruction because they believe humans to be the most powerful creatures in the universe. At its heart, Advent Rising is a third-person “save humanity” shooter (you can play in first-person, but you won't want to) with light role-playing elements, but the cutscenes advance the plot and lend a greater adventure-y feel to the campaign.

Unfortunately, things start very slowly when all you've got are your two fists and a series of tedious training exercises to complete. But, like a steam-powered locomotive, once the wheels grip the tracks, it's a thrilling ride that's nearly impossible to stop.

As you move from one epic outdoor set piece to another - somewhat reminiscent of Halo, including the occasional vehicle - you'll pick up new weapons that improve in damage and accuracy the more you use them. Eventually, as a host of friendly aliens (the Aurelians), tasked with protecting humanity, help you unlock your species' untapped potential, you'll learn to pull off Matrix-style moves like a slow-motion cartwheel strafe and gravity-defying punch-and-kick attack, and even shoot energy blasts from one hand while unloading a pistol with the other.

More info

GenreAction
Platform"PC","Xbox"
US censor rating"Teen","Teen"
UK censor rating"",""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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