Singularity

by ACTIVISION

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003M2V2KA
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 29, 2010
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,815 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #93 in Video Games > Xbox 360 > Action > Shooter

Product Description

Platform: Xbox 360 | Edition: Game with free Graphic Novel

Amazon.com Product Description

Singularity is a first-person shooter developed by the legendary Raven Software and utilizing the power and flexibility of the Unreal 3 game engine. Set in an alternate present of 2010, players take on the role of a US Air Force pilot who while investigating an extreme radiation signature, stumbles upon a top secret Cold War era Soviet program, run amok which not only causes monstrous mutations, but also threatens to alter nature of time itself. Speed up time to reduce enemies to dust. View larger. Or gain from turning back the clock. View larger. Classic FPS gameplay. View larger. A revisionist Cold War storyline. View larger. Story In the dark, Cold War winter of 1949-50 Stalin, the brutal leader of the Soviet Union, had two super weapons: long range missiles and the atomic bomb. But even if his teams of forced labor managed to build a missile powerful enough to carry an atomic payload, Stalin still faced encirclement by the United States and the Strategic Air Command. He knew that he needed another advantage over the United States, one that would ensure Soviet security and superiority. Then came the chance discovery on the remote island of Katorga-12 off the wild Kamchatka peninsula, of a previously unknown material, Element 99 (E99). E99 became the new source of Stalin's hope: a new energy source of unparalleled power. Unfortunately, the new element also yielded a new kind of contamination risk. But these were acceptable risks to Stalin - anything for the advancement of the Soviet people. Even so, on September 21, 1950, driven to complete the project, and in violation of the safety protocols, a Russian scientist, Viktor Barisov, personally triggered a device powered by E99 that caused a catastrophic event that affected the entire island. What happened next is unclear. However, there are reports that Stalin's final dying order was a handwritten scrawl to quarantine Katorga-12. And so the knowledge of the island remained buried...until 2010, when intelligence reports in the west confirm activity on a remote atoll in the Russian Federation's shadow. The world has no memory of Katorga-12. No concept of what may be on the island off the southeast coast of Russia. It is deemed that the world can't afford another Chernobyl - or worse. America's answer is to scramble a stealth flyby of the area. They need recon - and they need it now. Gameplay and Weapons Action in Singularity is a mix of combat mission gameplay and puzzle-solving. Combat is against both modern and 50s era Russian forces, as well enemies mutated through exposure to E99. In this players have their choice of conventional weapons including: pistols, shotguns, machine guns, sniper rifles, rocket launchers, etc., as well as as few Sci-Fi weapons very specific to the game. These include the TMD (Time Manipulation Device) and the E99 pistol. The TMD is a gauntlet, which players acquire early in the game that can be integrated with conventional weapons. Its main function though relates it its ability to alter time within a small specific area. The major examples of this are: Reversion - The ability to alter encounters by rewinding the history of an item or entity to the time of your choosing. This can be used to repair broken items, render enemies harmlessly embryonic, etc. Aging - The ability to alter encounters by fast-forwarding the history of objects or entities, rendering the former rusted and worn and the latter decrepit with age or simply dust. Stasis - The ability to freeze time and thus dangerous situations in order to gain an advantage. Impulse - The ability to propel objects frozen in time in a targeted direction. Chronolite - Functionality that allows the player to look back to a time associated with a place, person or object. Players can also utilize the TMD in conjunction with the E99 pistol, a gun that shoots bullets infused with Element 99, to hit targets unreachable due to distance and otherwise indestructible cover. In addition, to the TMD's combat uses, it is also indispensable as a tool for solving the spatial-oriented and other types of puzzles that players will face on the island of Katorga-12. Multiplayer Singularity contains multiplayer gameplay options, that just as in its single player campaign, integrate conventional combat tactics and weapons with the time manipulation elements. Key Features An engrossing storyline blending Cold War history and science fiction elements. An arsenal of first-person weapons, including conventional firearms and upgradeable, time altering gadgets. Mission progressing puzzle-solving gameplay. Advanced graphics built on the Unreal 3 game engine. Multiplayer gameplay options. Xbox LIVE support including LIVE Achievements.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of nowhere comes some fun., June 30, 2010

By 

Eric B. Silva "Voice Over artist in training!" (Manchester, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Singularity with Bonus Exclusive Graphic Novel (Video Game)

This game got little to no advertisements and has been delayed far too many times for people to care by this point.

That right there is what I expect most people to be thinking. Well good news! The game is actually great! The gunplay is excellent and the setting is actually pretty tense and creepy. I like the story so far myself but I see many don't care much for it. If you don't care for the story that should be fine because this is an excellent shooter that has many explosive moments and (so far) has been a thrill ride of fun and destruction. I'm so surprised about this game because I really did not intend on buying it. I read about it a long time ago and it seemed awesome but by the time I saw it being released it seemed very meh. Well luckily that isn't the case and I highly recommend this game.

As far as Multiplayer goes it is a mixed bag. I find it to be very fun but I can see it not exactly being the highlight that people would like. One team plays as humans and the other as Mutants. There are different classes for each side and they all have different abilities such as Healing, teleporting, puking, controlling the enemy team, and just plain strong. It is very different but quite a fun distraction if you take the time to try it. The only thing I've seen that seems annoying is that a lot of the games I've gotten into have been one sided. Either one side totally destroys and wins the game or the other. Not too often is it a tie or close game. There are also only two modes to play and they may not keep your attention too long. One other downside is I've noticed some lag in the games when in the larger (12 people) games. Not so bad because it doesn't always happen but it's noticeable and could be a turn-off.

So all-in-all I have been having an excellent time with this game that came out of nowhere and I recommend it if you've been craving a violent well-made FPS with some fun (if maybe not long-lasting) Multiplayer to boot. Definitely an excellent distraction while waiting for other great games. It's just sad it has gotten so little hype and attention because I can see this being a great series.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Singularity review, July 1, 2010

By 

Joshua R. Plevell (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Singularity with Bonus Exclusive Graphic Novel (Video Game)

When I first heard of Singularity last fall, I was pretty happy since I like science fiction style FPS games. Well, after a delay or two the game came out and I am pretty happy I bought it.

PROS:
-Eerie atmosphere (akin to FEAR) that can, and will, keep you on edge
- unique enemies that each take some thought as how to defeat
- A pretty good science fiction/alternate reality story (I won't spoil here)
-Good gunfights, some thoughtful weaponry
-Good multiplayer, unique because it isn't just another "soldier v soldier" match, instead it is creatures v soldiers
-On normal, the campaign is probably 8 to 10 hours long, so it isn't short by any means, maybe typical of fps lengths.
-It is similar to the Bioshock/System Shock 2
-I enjoy not knowing what situation will come next in the campaign, keeps me on edge
- Campaign jumps between the year 2010 and the 1950s

CONS:
-AI needs a little work, but puts up a decent fight (I'm on normal)
-Not too many multiplayer modes yet
-No subtitles or place to reference previously found notes and tape recordings
-tape recordings
-fairly linear story (I don't mind at all, but some people want a more sandbox style FPS, I guess)
-Iffy Russian accents
-Unfortunately, too many backwards "R" letters, and many of the films or posters are written in english, but using Russian Cyrillic characters to spell which seems lazy or cheesy to me since I know a bit of Russian.

It may seem like there are a lot of cons listed, but really they are nothing major and more of just personal taste for me. I really enjoy this game and intend to play it for quite a while. If you like atmospheric FPS games then go and buy this. Ideally you should have pre-ordered as it came with a free copy of the 360 game "Prototype", a 1GB usb memory stick, and a multiplayer skin for the regular price of an Xbox 360 game.

2010/7/02 EDIT:

-Beat the game, 3 possible, great endings!
-Multiplayer is fun, but not too many people are on, so play while it's up at all.
-If you're into Achievements, they are fairly straightforward in this game and you could get all 1000/1000 with a little dedication.

This is definitely better in many ways than the recent Wolfenstein game put out by Raven last year and a lot more fun. You should buy it.

21 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dictionary definition of a game you should rent!, July 13, 2010

By 

M. Fulkerson (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Singularity with Bonus Exclusive Graphic Novel (Video Game)

Singularity is a pretty fun game while it lasts. Its controls are very tight, and an FPS game is more or less defined by this standard. It's an interesting game from start to finish despite there being many drawbacks to the game in general. Most people have complained about the archaic graphics in this game, but I didn't really mind that at all. The graphics in this game are definitely not breaking any ground - even for a game that came out two years ago it would still look dated - but the action is so well staged it doesn't matter. The voice acting is absolutely terrible, and the story is as washed up as humanly possible, but who cares. As long as you get to blast monsters into limbo that should be enough to keep any gamer interested. However, there are several things about the game that needed some major polish before being released, but in the end, Singularity is a good time.

The developers of Singularity understood that the fundamental reason why people play a first person shooter game is to shoot enemies in the face, and you get plenty of opportunity to do that in this game. There are some great weapons to use throughout the game such as the "Seeker" where you can control bullets to go around corners that finally, when they meet their destination, tear the unlucky victim to shreds. As morbid as this sounds, the violence in Singularity can be very satisfying. There are lots of slo-mo's, close-ups, and limbs flying around, and it can get pretty chaotic. To me, that is the sign of a great FPS. Action needs to be the main focal point, and this game rarely disappoints in that aspect.

The sound is great in this game as well. Some levels have a very high level of detail, and you can hear grunts and screams coming at you from all sides. It really helps build a tense atmosphere during some of the levels, and because the graphics are pretty average, the sound makes up for it in spades.

I've seen comparisons of this game to Bioshock and Half-Life, and those observations are not unwarranted. The dark atmosphere and 50's vibe are reminiscent of Bioshock, as are the randomly placed voice recorders that you find as you venture through the game. Hearing the distant and disturbed voices on the recorders is pretty much a straight lift from Bioshock, but it didn't distract me from the story at all. There is also a gravity gun which is more or less a take from Half-Life. Not a big deal, but it still shows that the Singularity developers were more interested in action than originality. Which brings me to my list of complaints.

First of all, the AI in Singularity is the worst I have seen in a game in years. It's really really bad. There was an instance where a bad guy was standing right in front of me, took a shot at me, stood there, looked at me, turned the other direction, and calmly waited for me to blow his head off. This kind of thing happens throughout the game. There is absolutely nothing difficult about this game whatsoever. Sure the action is great and you get to blow apart the baddies, but after a while you need at least a little bit of challenge. Another annoying thing about the AI is that the Russians you're about to kill will stand there and scream at you, repeating the same expressions over and over and over again. If the AI is going to bellow at you and completely blow their cover in order for you to adequately kill them, at LEAST give them more dialogue.

When I mentioned before that the violence is satisfying in Singularity, it can also be shabbily detailed and out and out lazy. For instance, when you shoot an enemy in the left arm, his left arm will fly off. Stands to reason. However, his head and his legs will also go catapulting into the air. If you shoot a guy in the left arm, why would his right leg and head pop off? I know, I know, this is a silly video game to begin with, but what I'm trying to say is that each time you kill someone, the exact same dying animation will show with each and every kill. Short on ideas, I say.

Another area where the developers really failed was with the time manipulation idea. This concept is always awesome in theory, but Singularity proves that it's yet another lame attempt at an ancient gimmick. The only time you get to manipulate time is to turn old boxes and staircases into their former selves, turn new locks into future dust, and occasionally go back in time to shoot a few bad guys for a few minutes before rushing back to the future. The time travel idea was more of a distraction than an engaging plot point.

Something else that was laughable about the game was the all English voice acting. I realize that this is a game produced by English speaking individuals, but when you have a tribe of Russians who are dedicating their very souls to bringing down the evil Western influences, and speaking English while they do it, it takes a considerable amount of believability and authenticity away from the story. There is an unintentionally funny scene in the game where you view a Russian propaganda film about the evil of the West being spoken entirely in English. Err, really? Why even bother trying to integrate a story when stuff like this is going on? I would have had more respect for the game if it just glossed over aspects like this and given us a few more hours of blowing stuff up. It's pointless to add scenes like this when it adds absolutely nothing to the big picture. This really is the fundamental problem of the game: it can't decide whether it wants tell a story, or just be a kick-a** shooter. If it had dedicated itself to one or the other it would have been a much stronger experience.

The biggest disappointment with this game is its length. I finished this game in under 7 total hours on my first play through. While that's not a crime in video game circles, it certainly doesn't warrant a purchase price of 60 dollars. If ever you were to rent a game, Singularity would be it.

There is definitely more wrong with Singularity than there is right. Raven has been developing this game for over two years, so to see such a mediocre result is genuinely surprising. I read a few reviews from fellow Amazon customers citing a laundry list of negatives concerning this game, yet still awarding it five stars. Five stars represents a perfect game. How can one hand out a five star review to a game that has so many clear flaws? Singularity has many problems, and any conscientious reviewer would be irresponsible to give it five stars.

That doesn't mean Singularity doesn't have great moments as well. As a weekend rental, I would highly recommend this game. It has enough tight gameplay, cool weapons, and over the top violence to satiate any fan of the FPS genre. Just don't expect to still be interested once that weekend is over. I realize that rating a game for length can be a touchy subject, but I feel that paying 60 dollars for a game that only lasts a few hours is extremely excessive. Moreover, if you're going to blatantly borrow from games like Bioshock, you better come correct and at least do your best to match one single aspect of the game you're emulating. Otherwise, you're just another imitator trying to cash in on a somewhat tired idea.

What Singularity lacks in originality it makes up for in exuberance and a love for old school game play. It's not about to light the gaming world on fire, but sometimes that's just fine.

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