| VGLN.com
PS2 >> Previews
>> article
Disaster Report
by Jolex Del Pilar
Wednesday, November 27 2002
Irem's new adventure game tries to break new ground with a unique plot, and interesting gameplay. Check out our full preview.
 |
|
|
Title:
Disaster Report
|
Platform:
PS2
|
Publisher:
Agetec |
Developer:
Irem |
#
of Players: 1 |
Genre:
Action/Adventure
|
Origin:
Japan
|
Expected
Release:
January 14, 2003 |
Grapevine:
If I were to compare it to anything on the market, it would probably be best described as a cross between Resident Evil style gameplay and ICO for the PS2. |
In the ever expanding videogame universe, there have been a multitude of villains created for countless games. Some of them range from the comical like the "Pooh Boss" from Conker's Bad Fur Day to the powerfully evil like Kefka from Final Fantasy III or Ganon from Zelda. However, I can't seem to recall a game were the main enemy was mother nature, at least until now.
The basic plot of Disaster Report has you as a reporter who gets stuck in an island city in the middle of a horrific earthquake. Many of the main structures as well as incoming and outgoing routes are destroyed. It's your job to get out of the city alive.
Disaster Report isn't your run of the mill adventure game. If I were to compare it to anything on the market, it would probably be best described as a cross between Resident Evil style gameplay and ICO for the PS2. It has the exact same inventory system as Resident Evil, as well as the whole "conservation of resources" element, and also has the same puzzle style of the famed action/horror game, less switches though. It's like ICO in that you have to traverse fairly large stages, sometimes accompanied by a friend in which you must take care of. This friend can sometimes help you out in your quest too.
From the beta version we received from Agetec, the game seems to be progressing well. The stages are looking very detailed at this point in development. The first stage has you on long suspension bridge. Unfortunately, the earthquake has completely destroyed the bridge leaving only certain sections up while most of it has crashed into the sea. Getting off this severely damaged bridge is a harrowing and dangerous experience that requires you to sometimes navigate unstable metal beams, and crumbling walkways. The excitement is increased by well timed structural failures of the bridge that you manage to escape most of the time.
This is a precarious situation....
One of the interesting gameplay elements is in how your health is handled. While you still have the standard “hit point” bar, you also have another meter, the thirst bar. While you may take damage from falling rocks or not “riding out” seismic tremors that constantly pelt the island (more on this later), you can also take damage from dehydration. This is a valid threat I suppose in any disaster in which you are cut off from fresh, clean water, and food. Fortunately, they are many fountains, and bottles of water to be found throughout the city, make sure you fill up at each of the fountains since some of them are spread far apart. Occasionally, an aftershock may hit the island city, and if you aren’t riding it out (accomplished by pressing R1 to get into the bracing position) then you may lose health as the aftershock knocks you on your butt. Falling debris is also a worry that you must contend with when these aftershocks hit.
Occasionally you will run into people who need help. I’m not quite sure if these people constantly change or if you are coupled with a certain person for the whole game, the beta didn’t go that deep into the game. However, the one companion that was in this early version was an attractive female, can’t go wrong there! Although you don’t utilize your partner much (hehe....) she has her uses (...haha...). Sometimes when you need to get over walls that cannot be climbed alone, you can lift your partner up over the wall, and then she can help bring you over the wall. This is just a simple example in gameplay of how partners are used.
Disaster Report seems to be shaping up to be a fine game. Although it isn’t due out until early next year, with it’s unique plot and setting, as well as some engaging gameplay elements, it would be worth your time to take a look at this one when it hits the shelves in 2003. Until then, your only alternative is to live in California to experience the adventures of earthquakes everyday of your life.
--- Jolex Del Pilar “He ain’t afraid of no ghost!”
|
