Escape The Void
If you went into your local video game shop, had a little wander around and then removed a title named Dark Void from its comfy shelf position, you would be forgiven for thinking that what lies in store will include mostly intense intergalactic action. With a figure clad in a seemingly high-tech space suit hovering in a dramatic fashion above a purple shaded, out-of-this-world environment plastered on the front cover, it is easy to assume that the game will take this setting and deliver more of the same throughout. Initially, your thoughts will be confirmed, but as you work your way through Dark Void, the feeling of getting something you didn't expect starts to creep in, but to what effect?
The first level throws you straight into space combat and any connotations you may have came up with on viewing the box art are more than confirmed. You're flying around an open area with your jet pack, shooting down numerous UFO's that are attacking you and a comrade. After winning the aerial battle, you find yourself in an uncompromising position with an extra terrestrial being, before swiftly flashing back to a prologue detailing the events leading up to this period. Will, our main character is busy setting up a flight with his co-pilot. When the cargo arrives, he is reunited with his apparently old flame, Ava. On their journey, they encounter some unusual happenings, including entering the Bermuda Triangle and being attacked by a nifty UFO, which causes the party to crash land on a remote island.
Emerging from the tragic wreckage, Will and Ava seek help to get off the undesired location and find it in the form of an anonymous guard. After heeding his warnings of some unwanted company, the two watch as he is attacked by a metallic alien life form. From this moment on, you become familiar with the game's enemies and reveal an engaging plot that takes you to a village, where other survivors worship beings known as Watchers. The first prologue episode separates you from Ava to learn the game's basic ground combat skills. Your weaponry range is not the largest ever, but it does allow easy selection with quick upgrades available in-between episodes and at selected artillery chests. Aiming could be better, particularly as long range attack is poor - enemies move very quickly and aiming is unsteady at points. The robot-like aliens can also take a lot of damage before they are downed so upgrading your weapons is essential. Shooting from cover is very effective, however, and you will find yourself using it a lot as you work your way through the initially jungle set game.
So what we have is a main male character, a female accomplice, and a jungle-like setting where you have to shoot your enemies in a third-person view. Remind you of any other console shooter? That's right, Dark Void does initially draw comparisons with Naughty Dog's epic Uncharted series. Everything from Will's voice (naturally, given that both he and Nathan Drake are portrayed by Nolan "I'm in loads of games" North) to the tension building backing music smack of the successful series, only you're shooting robots rather than people. Even quick time events exist, confirming the thought. Of course, the overall quality is not as great as the PS3 exclusive but nonetheless, no other game comes to mind when playing. Now, at this point it should be noted that no mention of a jet pack has been made since the introduction to this review and that is for very good reason. You don't actually get one until a few hours into play. However, the plot covered in this time doesn't require it and it makes it all the more exciting when you finally do get your hands on one.
The magical moment comes when you visit the aforementioned village and, after being told to basically bugger off, one of the natives named Tavi introduces you to a chap named Nikola Tesla, who shares the common goal of escaping the threatening island. It is when you are given the task of collecting different parts of fallen aircraft that you get introduced to the pack and the rest is history (well, future if you haven't played it yet). Controlling your pack is easy but at the same time hit and miss in terms of results. It is easy to over or undershoot your target position and the lack of control options doesn't allow you to recover from any mistakes. This is until you gain access to a suped-up pack that gives you far more control over your flight activity. Activated by using the jump button twice, you can then boost and turn the power off to help you conduct a safe landing.
