Prey

Yesterday, I have finished playing this interesting game. It runs on id Tech 4 engine, which is the same engine as used for Doom 3. So game looks good, but its not best looking game of today (of course not, Prey comes from year 2006). Engine supports bump mapping, specular highlighting and also dynamic per-pixel lighting. Engine was modified a little for this game, so it supports other stuff like portals and playing with gravity.


First of all story. I must say, that I was expecting something simple like: they kidnapped me and now I must kill them all. But I am suprised. Everything in the story makes sense. Through the game you live the whole story, but you can find alien radiostationes with transmissions from earth (some creepy live-chat show) and you also communicate telepaticly with final boss through the game. Its both way communication, but you can not pick answers (no RPG choices). Another interesting is that you visit a sacred land few times. Sacred land of Cherokees. Now its good time to talk about main character and storyline. You are very tough guy. You belong to native american clan, but you do not believe in such a "bullshit". And you have a girl friend, but she got kidnapped, as many others from planet, by enemy aliens.

What about gameplay? Well, its corridor fps, but with bunch of puzzle rooms, which I personaly enjoy (like Half-life, Portal,..). First iteresting thing is portals. For example, there is no way out of room you are in, but you can activate portal which is this orange/blue glowing elipse. Enter the portal and you are suddenly elsewhere. Here is example:


(this is from mod, so do not expect custom placing of portal in original game)


Another thing is gravity sidewalk:


Last very useful thing is, that you are cherokee. And because of that you have this "indian spirit mode" where your soul can travel independant on your flesh. For example, you left your body standing on platform, go with spirit to switch to transport you body elsewhere. Most puzzles are based on this three things.

I must say I like this game mostly because of puzzles. But there are few other things you should know about. Weapons. The best alien looking weapons ever. Awesome animation! For example sniper rifle. Look at this. Isnt it cute ? Looking at you ;-)



On the other hand, there is boring and (almost never changing) environment - most of the game you are in the space ship. Stupid AI.

This on belongs to both pros and cons: YOU CAN NOT DIE
Well, you can, but not really. You just travel to land of your ancestors, shoot few mantha looking things, restore your health and continue playing where have you died.

So if you want to play, check out this site: http://srtest.com and see if you can run this older game. I hope you can because I recommend it to you. Try it at least.


+gravity, portal and spirit puzzles
+weapons animatons
+older, but looking game
+low system requirements
+story told through radio
+can not die

-corridor fps
-boring alien-space ship
-stupid AI
-can not die

I give 85/100 (for example Crysis would get 65/100 - graphics isnt everything)