A new chapter in stealth and espionage gaming is being written. Released in the summer of 2004 Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy (formally known as ESPionage, which personally I thought was more catchy) is literally going to blow your mind!
Midway created Psi-Ops, and it looks like it will inject something new into the action/stealth genre. The game combines the usual weapon based action will all new psychic mind powers. The game's release date was put back after a trip to the computer gaming show, E3, and as a result more time has been spent on improving the graphics and making the controls easier for gamers.
Within the Psi-ops world you take control of Nick Scryer who is an elite psi operative. Scryer has to battle a super soldier army called "The Movement" who are a powerful psychic terrorist organisation trying to overthrow world order. Psi-Ops is set across eight huge levels, which are within four district compounds and features a non-linear, open-ended game design. On the way Scryer will encounter six bosses with their own unique psychic powers. Also as you progress through the game Scryer's mysterious past is revealed and with it, his connection to "The Movement's" leader.
Psi-Ops is the first game of its genre to integrate weapons combat and psi powers. Scryer has access to the usual handguns and automatics, which still play a big part in the game (for all you gun junkies out there). However, it is the new powers that give the game an edge. You have powerful psychic abilities, which include:
Telekinesis - The ability to lift people and objects and then toy with them by holding them, moving them, or (the fun part) throwing them.
Pyrokinesis - Allows Scryer to launch a wall of fire at enemies (toastie!)
Mind Control - Enables you to control enemies (knowing the brains of evil henchmen this won't take much effort)
Remote Viewing - The ability to go "out-of-body" and will mean you will be able to plan attacks by seeing through doors (nice trick) and also get information you wouldn't be able to obtain in physical form adding to the stealth element.
Mind Drain - Allows you to take psi powers from enemies, which leaves them lifeless and brain dead (sounds like my ex-girlfriend! Ouch!)
Aura View - Gives the ability to see elements that are not visible in the real world.
Using these new capabilities with traditional action/stealth methods opens up a completely new level of gameplay. It also offers multiple ways to complete the game and hopefully will add to the replay value.
Dave Burton, Director of Marketing for Midway Europe, says, "Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy provides a hugely entertaining experience that opens up unique and creative combinations of the way gamers can play the game."
We can only wait and see...or is it think...or both, oh forget it, I just want to burn stuff and throw chairs around!
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