Customer Reviews

Kill Switch: Take Cover, Take Aim, Take Over

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Kill.Switch is not a bad game at all. In fact it is probably one of the best shoot `em ups you can get your hands on. You play Bishop, a sort of Metal Gear Solid's Solid Snake x Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher with more firepower than both combined. In fact that is what kill.switch is - one big free-for-all GUNFIGHT.

The story is actually confusing and told in flashback style (some flashback shots are cinematically realistic). Bishop is an ultra-tech Soldier and who is married to Lynn Takamura - a Neural Interface designer for some weapons tech firm. Bishop was supposed to execute a terrorist called Archer but failed. Archer came back to kill Lynn and to take control of Bishop's neural technology sending him about the globe committing terrorist acts of violence. Eventually Bishop finds a way out from Archer's control and goes to take Archer down himself.

Having said all of that, the gun fighting is first rate stuff simply because the enemy AI is the best seen in any game of its kind. The enemy is smart and moves accordingly. They will take you down by flanking you or sending a grenade in your direction. One or two hits are all it takes and you will go down. So you need to use the environment and this is where kill.switch scores in aces. As you hide behind something you can blind fire on the enemy with several different weapons to choose from or you can lean around the side, sight someone and shoot them. The detail in each level makes this one an essential purchase for the XBOX user. It pushes the PS2's graphics quite a bit (now and again the FPS stalls).

So kill.switch plays like you would expect it too - run around various levels (there are 5 major levels divided into two parts each) shooting the enemy and diving behind boxes as you blow things up. Sounds boring or unoriginal - yes, maybe - but kill.switch does it all so furiously. Once you start firing and throwing grenades and dancing about the obstacle pulling off headshots with some blind fire you will see how enjoyable all of this really can be and for that kill.switch is all golden 5 stars.

However it does have some negatives. The story is simply very hard to understand and makes no sense. The zooms are not very deep on the gun scopes meaning that you do not really get to zoom around and see the awesome sights that they have designed. It could have done with better zooms. It was absolutely terrible that they did not make more objects destructible. You couldn't even shoot up things like tables and chairs. I didn't see a single wall blow out in the game.

In the end I would not really purchase this unless you like blast em ups. If blast em ups are your thing then do not even think twice about this review. Stop now and go pick up kill.switch. It is insane live fire from start to finish. You will get a bang for your buck. However if you are looking for a game that might do something other than that (forget any type of Splinter Cell objectives or Metal Gear Solid coolness) then I suggest you go look elsewhere.

Pros:

- Furious action. Non-stop suppressing fire.
- Amazing enemy AI. The best of any game out there.
- Highly detailed graphics.
- Blind-fire. A very cool option.
- In terms of action this is what MGS and SC want-to-be but are not.
- Cuts scenes are realistic.

Cons:

- There appears to be no screen size adjustment on PS2 version.
- Runs a little slow on the PS2 at times.
- Short. Really only 6 to 8 hours of start to end game play.
- No environmental destruction.
- Extremely limited objectives.
- Story makes no sense.

First off, this is definitely a must buy game, it is difficult from start to finish even in the normal play mode, so prepare to re-play missions often. This is not a run and gun game nor is it a stealth type game. When an enemy is shot he dies or takes deep cover, sometimes depending on the severity of the injury they may retreat. I have run back for health packs and ammo and found injured enemy hiding in different recesses of the level. The AI is very smart and crafty in this game, do not expect them to stand there and get shot, they use impressive cover and concealment and incredible team work. For instance, I was pinned down by 4 enemy, two would alternate suppressing fire while two would advance and cover, they took turns doing this until they could attempt to flank me, once they took position I unleashed a whole magazine using the blind fire, this held them back momentarily giving me crucial time to sight in on the closest enemy. Once he was dropped and the other severely injured from my blind fire, the three started a hasty retreat with their guns a blazing spraying bullets everywhere, to include some into there own previously injured guy killing him instantly. This is a cover, conceal and fire game, think real combat, head down in the dirt, buried behind a concrete barrier, when the moment is right unleash the fury...watch em'drop, watch em' scatter.

This game is incredible. The arsenal of weapons is incredible. I also like that you finally get to be the villain, instead of the ladies man hero. I enjoyed the fact that while it is hard enough to keep you busy, it is not so hard that you will end up throwing your controller at the Playstation two. And trust me, if I don't get mad enough to throw the controller, I can assure you you won't either. I also like the blind fire mode. I have a tip for you about the blind fire mode. You should only use it in situations where you are being ambushed by a ton of enemies. This will happen frequently. You should not use it for five or six guys. Lastly the graphics and controls are awsome, but the music is ok. You may have read that it is not as good as Metal Gear Solid two. That is true. But the game is still good. Also people think it is two hard because you are alone against an army. I do agree somewhat. This game is not for people who are not used to the style of war games, and is not for someone who is just getting a PS2 and doesn't have some experiance with it, but overall I think it deserves four stars.

At first, NAMCO's new kill.switch appears to be another standard military-style FPS. If you've played either Splinter Cell or Metal Gear Solid, then you probably know what I'm talking about. When you first play the game, however, you will begin to realize that this game is far from "ordinary." The series of brief dialogue-sequences between each mission will come to make the player realize that there is something fishy about the main- character's situation, and that you are really plugged into some kind of network that controls you. As the game unfolds so does the plot and the background and situation of the main character is purposely left unclear. The first thing to become clear is that purpose this supersoldier's actions, governed by his neural-link to an unknown place are hostile, intended as a first step in stirring up a world war, meaning that you're actually the bad guy. The entire sequence of the game itself at first is purposely meant to be ambiguous. Betore every mission a link is established to the character's brain and before he suddenly appears in the drop-zone. There then commences a short half-conversational half-objective dialogue between the deployed character and the boss in his headset or link. Perhaps the most mysterious element of the game, initially seeming somewhat random (althout I am sure it will wind somehow into the actual plot of the game in the end, is a movie (with VERY clear graphics I might add), broken down and shown in parts between missions, of a woman whom I take is the main character's lover. As I myself have not delved very far into the game at this point I cannot tell you where this movie will lead, but I can tell you that this game has a lot to look forward to, and that each cut-off bit leaves you at a cliff-hanger, begging to know more.. Now that I've talked about the interface (which, so far so good, is very clean, satisfying and well thought-out), it's time to move on to the describing of the gameplay itself. Running around nonstop and wreaking havoc, as seems to be the theme of many FPS's, does not seem to be gameplay make-up here, as there IS (for once) strategy involved in beating the levels. Perhaps the most distinguishing element between kill.switch and normal first or third person shooters is the newly designed Blindfire system. What this means is that your character, if bombarded by heavy fire from multiple enemies or a turret, can take cover behind an object, point his gun out over the object and without looking fire "blindy" in the general direction of the threat. This technique, however, can be used effectively for suppresive fire only, since it is very inaccurate. Once in cover the player can choose either to use the blindfire technique, or for more accurate and precise shooting lean out over the object and take careful aim before letting loose. Why use the inaccurate blindfire technique when you can just as easily lean out and aim? Leaning out of cover makes you susceptible to enemy fire, while blindfire does not. Keep in mind that enemies can make use of these same techniques as well. As the game is designed to provide as many objects for cover as possible, you will never be left out in the middle of an intense gunfight with no place to run. Weaponry in kill.switch includes an array of ten types of guns and four different grenades. A few weapons are pre-loaded into your inventory at the beginning of the mission, but the majority are picked off of enemies as you progress through the level. Health and ammo and your HUD are easy to see, and the ammo section of your HUD flashes if you need to reload or are low on ammo. Your health meter is Tekken style, depleting greatly with each hit but also with the potential of regenerating up to a certain max. point (which is also lowered by each hit) if you allow it enough time. Health packs are found on walls throughout the levels, restoring both your current health and your maximum regenerable health. Graphics in kill.switch are average, but are certainly not lackingy. The audio is especially good, with satisfying menu sounds and enjoyable gameplay SFX. Controls are complicated but well thought out- it should take you about 10-15 minutes to master in Training mode. Guns range from assault rifle to grenade launcher to shotgun to sniper rifle. The only criticisms I have for this game is the fact that gun-names are NOT displayed on the HUD while switching weapons, and that the pictures they do show briefly can be somewhat hard to distinguish to the untrained eye. 2 Player would be nice, but it might be asking too much, and 1 Player is good enough for me while it lasts. NAMCO's kill.switch is otherwise an extremely enjoyable experience varying from the traditional shooter. If you are looking for a new action game of its type I would highly recommend that you purchase it. And remember, Take Cover, Take Aim, Take Over!

SCORES
Gameplay 8.4 - Graphics 8.9 - Sound 9.1 - Presentation 8.7 - Replay Value 7.4 - OVERALL - 8.4

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POSTED BY DEREK RICCIUTO - DarkRider007@hotmail.com
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THIS GAME ROCKS. if you love shooting games like me then this game is for you. This isnt the old runnin and gunnin game. its better. objects(broken down cars,poles,couches) are your only allies. objects in the game will save your life! so you need to take cover, take aim, and take over-kemoz review peace

if you want the best strategy-shooting game thats the best ever you should start saving and finding a job for the money to afford this game.i am 13 and i love this and i know anyone 8-45 will too.if you like hiding behind cars,poles,couches,blown up stuff i dont know,etc.and shooting or chucking grenades at your enemies with bullets whizzing by your face this game wont be any disapointments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More of an old school game. Not a whole lot of story, which I think is good. Just lots of solid gameplay.

If you want a straight-forward action game, then this is a very good one.

Move, shoot, and find cover. Better than Metal Gear or SOCOM.

At First Glance kill.switch may look like your standard shooter, but
there is alot more to the game. The A.I in the game is outstanding
they will throw grenades, use cover and blindfire just like you.
The story is very well done and the FMV's are very cool. The
Graphics are nice but not amazing. The only problem I had was
the length of the game, its was only a couple hours long. Also the
level design could have been better, its basicly "Get to the end of the
level"

Overall its a great Third-Person-Shooter with some cool features and
a pretty neat story.

When I first bought this game, I thought it would just be an average, run-of-the-mill military shooter. Man, was I wrong... It started out simple enough, with a basic training simulator. As I progressed on, I quickly mastered the easy-to-follow controls. Then, they introduced the "cover and fire" technique, and I was impressed. It seemed especially realistic when I felt the recoil, and the element of blindfire. Ready and waiting for some action, level 1 began. I fought through the first few levels, amazed at how intelligent the AI was. "Take cover or be eaten alive by bullets? That's just like real life!", I found myself thinking. At first I expected the AI to just stand there and get shot (i.e. the Ratchet and Clank series), but they worked as a team, switching off between laying down suppressive fire and advancing. They utilize every technique which you are given, PLUS they have teammates. I soon learned how the health works, by depleting quickly and then refilling to a set max, similar to Call of Duty 3. Then came level 3, one of my favorites. I quickly ran into the level, then sensing an enemy presence I took cover behind the first crate, and exactly as I did this, shots came out of the window in front of me. I took the enemy out, and advanced around the corner. As I kept advancing down the street, each few feet triggered a new wave of enemies, each with impressive technique. As I turned and hid behind a truck, a helicopter came out from behind a building and swept over me, unloading with machine guns. I then realized this was no ordinary game; it was an experience. when level 4 came, it was sort of fun to see 2 guards having a conversation about someone dying on a tanker "just like this" when they were on guard duty (A nod to Metal Gear Solid 2). From then on, the levels got progressively tougher, causing me to have to restart several times on certain levels (the one where the tanker is about to explode, the first Aztec temple level and the 2nd to last level, just to name a few). In fact, I had to get my brother-in-law to help on the last Aztec temple level with the intelligence base (even though I think I was the one to beat it in the end). The story is intriguing, revealing one part at a time with each passing level. Although it is complicated, by the end you start to see the whole picture, and it hints toward a sequel. This game is excellent, has clean and crisp sound, and it feels nice to be the bad guy for once. A multi-player feature would have made this game even better, but I'm assuming if they make a sequel, it'll have two-player. Another thing I would have liked is maybe including a rocket launcher in the arsenal, and maybe another sniper rifle, or a type of handgun. The graphics are impressive with silky-smooth animation, and the weapons you do have are powerful. Now, let's break it up into Pros and Cons:

Pros-

Impressive AI
Great Graphics
Clean Sound
Good maps, scenery is amazing
Awesome gameplay, feels like you're right in the battle
10 Great weapons
Intriguing story, with a mysterious plot that makes you want to know more
You get to be the BAD GUY!!
You feel unstoppable, like superman with a gun
Well-thought controls
Plenty of levels

Cons-

Lacks a multi-player feature
Could have used more weapons, and greater diversity of weapons
No playable vehicles
Limited replay value

Now, onto the scores

Graphics: 8.5
Gameplay: 9
Sound: 9.5
AI: 9
Story: 7.5

Overall: 8.7

BUY THIS GAME!! Don't hesitate, try it out! You won't regret it, and if you don't like this game, you can always "trade it in" at Game Stop.

i love this game!
that being said, i found that the duck and cover while firing blindly doesnt get boring. this tactic not only saves ur butt more than once, but become necessary in some missions.
i can see the devlopment took the time to make sure all the wepons work and the movents are smooth. i like the fact that my guns have to reload and arent like some titles where the default gun doesnt have to reload. Also the game make u think and gets harder as u progress, which is cool.