X-Squad

Other products by Electronic Arts

Product Details

• Our recommended age: 13 - 17 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 0 months and up
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00004W4VG
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: May 18, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,955 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
In X-Squad, you play a character named John G. Ash. He was at the top of his class at West Point, where he excelled in both marksmanship and urban-combat simulation. Feeling the need to be rebellious, Ash went off on his own and formed a team of problem-solvers, X-Squad.

While it's possible to snap off some curt little orders to your squad mates, their intelligence is a bit too artificial to be of much use to you. Luckily for you (although not for the game), you don't actually have to depend on them to finish any particular level of the game. If you were dependent on their assistance, you'd probably never live to see the sun rise on the game's final level.

X-Squad does make good use of the PS2 controller's two analog joysticks. The left stick controls the general movement of the character, while the right stick is used for turning the character and aiming the weapon.

You'll have fun shooting up enemies, unlocking puzzles, and fragging level bosses, but the game won't provide much challenge. Setting the game's difficulty to "expert" might cause you to break a sweat.

In all, X-Squad is a decent game, but it would have been better, had its story and characters been allowed to percolate a bit longer. In some ways, it's amazing that Sony actually allowed EA/Square to proceed with a concept that must have seemed, at one time, to be rice-paper-thin. But, if you're in the mood for a simple arcade shooter, a fun time definitely can be had here. --Todd Mowatt

Pros:

• Competent design, and reasonable level layouts

Cons:

• Seemingly rushed gameplay offers little challenge
• Uninspired and emotionless characters

Product Description
A squad-based shooter emphasizing independence of team members and variety of environments.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun At First, But Not a "Must Have", November 27, 2000

By	Andy (WI) - See all my reviews

I was one of those people who lined up super early October 26 to get my hands on the much anticipated Playstation 2. I was lucky, and got one. Unfortunately I blew all my money on that and had to wait for my next paycheck to afford a game. The first game I picked was X-Squad. An eye-catching cover, and neat pictures on the back lured my into purchasing it in hopes that it would be much like 007 for a N64. I went to a friends house to play it first, and at first was stunned by the detail graphics. But that was mostly because I wanted them to be good, and I didn't examine them very closely. Once the gameplay started, I had a difficult time controlling my character. After about a half dozen games I finally got the hang of it and can now move around with ease. Its fun to run around, and there is a fair amount of killing to be done, only its not detailed. If you hit a guy its either A) fatal and he drops on the spot ...or... B)a gut shot were he doubles over then after several seconds miracuously heals himself and starts shooting again. The part I don't like about the game is that frequently through-out it the characters have short dialouges, which at first were helpful, but get to be an annoyance since you can't skip over them.

Still, I played the game for hours on end late into the night just to see what various weapons did at different ranges. About 10 days ago I picked up "Smuggler's Run" and haven't touched X-Squad since, its not a hard decision at all, hands down "SR" blows away X-Squad.

So while its fun at first I wouldn't reccomend picking this one up... it loses its "coolness" and gets to be more of a chore then a game to play. There are many better PS2 titles out there.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not great, but decent., November 13, 2000

By A Customer

Overall, X-squad is an average game. After playing for a few minutes, I had to check to make sure I didn't buy an old Playstation One game by accident. The game is not a particularly bad one, it just didn't meet my expectations of the amazing graphics and gameplay that I expected of a PS2 game. The plot is bad, but who cares? If you're buying the game for plot, something's wrong with you anyway. However, it does get slightly annoying when the game pauses for the characters to have their short, painful conversations. Graphics are smooth, but unremarkable. Again, it seems like a well-programmed PSX game. Gameplay is decent. There is a fair amount of shooting, and you do get an ample amount of ammunition to keep shooting. The variety of weapons is good. After completing each section, you can use your points to buy new weapons, armor, and items (energy packs/health packs/etc). During gameplay, you can give commands to your teammates (stay, attack, stealth mode). But the funny thing is, I don't think they listen. They sort of do their own thing regardless of what you tell them to do. They are all pretty good at drawing fire away from you though, so I can't complain. Should you buy the game? No. Not when there are some pretty good games out now, and even better ones which I am sure will come out soon. If you must buy it, buy it used. I think the games will get much better when the programmers learn more what the PS2 is capable of.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Early PS2 Title, January 11, 2002

By	N. P. Stathoulopoulos "nick9155" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For one of the first PS2 games this is a pretty solid shoot-em-up. Granted, much better ones have appeared since, but with the new low price I would still recommended this to someone looking for a solid action-filled game that isn't too difficult.

The perspective is 3rd-person, which might turn some off, but after getting accustomed to the controls this game can be rewarding. One high point is the availability of good weapons that you can earn with more points, making it a good challenge to outfit yourself properly before each mission. For instance, you have 3 different kinds of shotguns, 3 different sniper rifles, and even a massive Predator-style chain gun.

This game features you as Ash, the leader of the X-Squad, which include 3 other members. The effectiveness of the other members is highly dependent on your strategy and leadership during the action as well as your willingness to outfit your team with good weapons. (They all have the default handgun.) You may often choose to hog all of the great weapons to yourself as this is tempting, but equipping the team with shotguns and assault rifles will significantly increase their usefulness (instead of sending them in as cannon fodder). There's the usual shoot-em-up story, which I'm rarely concerned with. This one is serviceable and sets up plenty of violent action.

Big complaint - the lack of a Mature rating. Sure the game is violent, but there is not blood or gore, something Red Faction and Half Life feature liberal doses of.

Still, at the new discounted price, this is worthy for a long weekend of leisure. It's at least a solid rental. Sadly, no 2 player mode. A death match would have been a nice touch.

Not a bad effort from EA, known more for their sports games. Their 007 Agent Under Fire for PS2 is a much better game with more extras.