Customer Reviews

Singularity

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First I would like to say that my favorite types of games are Adventure, FPS, and RPG's (in no particular order), as I believe this makes a difference when reading one's review of a game.

I can say that this game really surprised me. I went into Singularity with absolutely no expectations, as I had heard nothing about this game. After about 30 minutes into though, I was hooked.

There have been a lot of comparisons of this game to others, and while I feel it does have many similarities to others it does not come across as a cheap imitation either. It definitely holds it's own. Now, having said that, if I were going to state any similarities, then I would say it's like Bioshock and Wolfenstein had a baby together, and they called it `Singularity'. I loved both of those games, and it's like Singularity took those and meshed them, for a new, yet familiar feel. The engine is the same as was used in Bioshock if I believe (the unreal engine). There is more of a FPS-feel than is in Bioshock, as this game has your more typical weapon options (compared to the drill in Bioshock 2 or perhaps the spear gun). This does not mean the weapons are not fun and full of variety. I loved them. There was a gun for everyone (Sniper, exploding darts, machine guns, shotguns, chain guns, pistols, grenade launchers, etc...), and each of these you can upgrade. Not to mention using these in combination with the TMD (your Time Manipulation Device) was fun as well. The flashbacks in time was like your Wolfenstein world, and the present was your Bioshock world (i.e. soldiers and more of a military feel in the 50's scenes, while in the present there were mutants running wild in an abandoned old settlement). The fact that your TMD is a pulsing glove-like item on your left hand only adds to the Bioshock feel, although the uses of the TMD are very different than those of your Plasmid's used in Bioshock (with the exception of the `telekinesis' in Bioshock and the `impulse' in Singularity - or at least that's what I `think' it's called - also similar to the gravity gun in Half Life - you can grab, pull, and throw objects that are far away).

The controls were easy to pick up on. Everything seemed very fluid and natural. I played it on Normal mode and found that there were challenging areas, yet nothing seemed just impossible either. Some areas/foes were much more difficult than others (to me this is how it should feel on normal mode). It had a nice mix of puzzles that took some thinking to pass, but were not ridiculously difficult to figure out (not `puzzles' really, you just have to sort out a way to manipulate the situation/area to proceed sometimes). The really enjoyed the graphics and environment, and I actually liked the gore...it added to the eerie feel of the game. I thought the enemies (the mutated ones) were well designed, pretty creepy critters. The different areas and foes gave you variations so you didn't feel like you were rinsing and repeating each area. It did well keeping things fresh and new. The story was great, very interesting, and the log's you find scattered throughout the world are good reads. They are not only interesting (the notes and recordings), but they really tell you more about the world you're in and help you understand more about the setting and people that were there as well as how things got to be how they are now.

I have to say my only complaints with this game are that I don't like relying solely on the auto-save process. I just like when I can save at any time and pick up from right there (as sometimes I have to quit playing unexpected and it's unfortunate if it hasn't `auto-saved' yet). The only other thing is I wish it had subtitles. If there is anything else going on in the room, I had trouble understanding some of my audio logs and such. I heard someone in another posting complain about the posters being in English (but with backwards R's and such) and that was disappointing to them since they speak some Russian.....but I would like to say I'm glad they were in English, as I speak no Russian nor do I want to try to translate a simple poster while I'm shooting mutants and running for my life. I like the quick-glance, see the sign in `English', and continue on my way. I realize it may not be the most realistic option, but this is a video game and I speak English. I'm not worried that the posters were unrealistic.....for God's sakes, I'm running around with a Time Manipulation Device welded to my arm!!!!!!

I also liked the hidden achievement for finding the `Lost' wheel.....nice and fun touch!!! '

Anyway, I give this game 5 stars overall because I thoroughly enjoyed playing it, feel it has a high replay value, and any complaints I had were small and my opinions only.

Thanks!

1 part Doom3,
1 part BioShock,
add a dash of time manipulation,
shaken not stirred.

About as challenging as Half-Life 2,
About as long as Gears of War 1 or 2,

Worth playing twice.

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.

Length:: 8:31 Mins

My review of Singularity

Singularity is Bioshock mixed with Dead Space.

The movement mechanics are fluid and easy to master. Jumping and running feels natural, shooting is fantastic once you get the hang of it and the time manipulation is just plain fun. The graphics are run-of-the-mill, but the story more than makes up for it. The atmosphere is moody, and the environments are well made, linear enough not to get lost but open enough to feel like you have the run of the world. The dialogue is cheesy but fun, characters are stock but in a familiar way, not boring. The in-game exposition through movie reels and voice recordings are well thought out and clever.

This is a fun game. The world is designed well and the story beats are close enough to keep things interesting. Sure, it's a mix of a lot of better shooters, but the setting and story make it original.

Singularity was fantastic. Period. A mix between Resident Evil and Metroid Prime, you find yourself shooting your way through mutant-filled landscapes, upgrading weapons and abilities along the way. Keep your eyes open - lots of hidden powerups. My only complaint: I wish the game lasted longer. It took me one solid weekend of playing "Normal" mode to conquer. You will not be disappointed. Bring on the sequel.

I bought this game to hold me over until the next Call to Duty, Gears of War, or Halo comes out. It was a solid play. Kind of like a Mass Effect with some more first person shooting. It is part simple puzzle with FPS. Not strong on either but was fun to play. The FPS was not great but not bad. It was a fun play. I passed it on to my grandson to have after I completed the game. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a little puzzle and some first person shooting.

Story:

You are Captin Renko, part of a team scrambled to see what's going on with an abandoned Soviet Research station that appears to have a malfunctioning nuclear reactor that has suddenly become active. Upon you arrival you find that the base appears to have been completley abandoned with no signs of life. Suddenly there is EMP blast that knocks your copter out of the sky. When you wake up you find yourself seperated from your squad on the other side of the island.

As you make your way toward your squad commander you encounter strange visions and find mysterious notes that indicate that the researchers there had discovered a new type of element that promised to unlock a source of unlimited power. Suddenly you hear another explosin and look up... only to find your self in a burning building. On your way out of the building you come across a wounded scientist, doing the right thing you pick up the scientest and carry him out of the building to safety. Then you look around again and find your self back in the ruined building you just left.

The only thing you don't know is that you just changed history. The world is now ruled by the Soviet Union and they want to know why there is two U.S, which hasn't existed for 40 years as far as they know, soldiers snooping around one of their abandonded bases. An unexpected ally rescues you from the Soviet forces and tells you that your the cause and the solution to the new time line and tells you that you must find a device called the TMD if you want any chance at putting the timeline back to the way it was. Little do you know that the ripples you caused by changing the time line go further and deeper than you ever imagined...

--------------------------------------------
Time Played: About 10 hrs

Graphics: Great

Control: I didn't notice any real problems. There are some segements where the aiming can be a little clunky when the screen is shaking all over the place. Only real issue I had is a level later in the game where you have to keep the targeting reticule over a critter to knock it off a train with a energy beam. I know what they were going for but it was still super annoying.

Gameplay: Different. It never got old turning enemies into to dust or playing around with the time abilites.

Story: The concept is different, the setup is great, the clues scattered throughout the levels keep you guessing at what is going on and then at the end... your given three ending that don't really go anywhere with what you have found out. Personally it would have been nice if they had added another ending or two that let the player think their way out of the coundrum their given at the end of the game. But other than that it was defenitely worth playing to the end to see what happened.

I would recommend this to anyone who liked the bioshock games, mass effect, or any other shooters that have a interesting story to go along with their gunplay. m.a.c

Singularity's Multiplayer Experience is the best I've ever seen. The enemies
are always near at hand waiting to be killed or kill you. The maps are full
of twists and turns that allow you to gain an upper hand. The weapons are
perfectly balanced and make killing monsters fun. The controls are dead simple
to learn. You can pick up the multiplayer and be throwing exploding barrels
at troops inside of one minute. How's that for immediate gratification.

It's a shame that millions of people are playing games online that are a lot
less fun. Too bad for them. More fun for me!!! Singularity Multiplayer
Extinction is the best.

The playing field is tilted so that you're always going uphill or downhill.
Downhill leads to the beacons you must light. Uphill leads back towards the
troops you must kill. So you always know which way you're going. Brilliant!
The person who thought of that was a genius.

Usually each map has two spawn points that can be lighted up. Naturally huge
fights break out around those all the time. And keeping the beacon lit when
six people are out to stop you is a real accomplishment.

I can't recommend this game highly enough. Just wish we had more maps and
more players and more support from EA.

This game is like a mix of fallout 3 (older scenery, old - comedic cartoons and clips), bioshock (tape recordings, futeristic arcade-like guns), and call of duty (fast pased, thrilling, fps action). This game is fit for just about anyone who calls themselves a shooters or action fan. A game to replay and go back on for some old fashioned fun.