Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 9
Sound: 8
Replay: 3
Multiplayer: No

Namco has really not been doing too great with their recent console releases. Their arcade games like Tekken and Time Crisis are always good, but they have been in quite a slump recently. They seem to be imitating the successful games of other companies rather than come up with original ideas of their own. Dead to Rights is a prime example of this. It's Max Payne except not as good in any department. This has caused a lot of gamers to frown on them. Let's see if they can finally come out of their slump.

Well, I have to give credit to them for coming up with an original idea. The basics of this game are touched on by many games, but this game truly does a good job with what it is designed around, and that's using cover. However, Namco still came up short on the overall package. They made a game that is a lot of fun when you just start, but the game doesn't change, and it ends up becoming very boring. The enemies stay the same, they don't change over the course of the game. Very few weapon changes. I mean, levels change and look different and all that but this game just gets old fast. It's the same old thing over and over again, and that definately isn't a good thing in a game.

Honestly, when I first booted this game up I thought it was amazing. I thought it was severely underrated and it deserved a lot more credit then it was receiving. However, as I progressed through the levels I soon found why this game had such low sales and low review scores. It starts out fun, but the fun dies away and the lack of change makes the game just feel as if it is dragging on forever. One way to beat each mission, no allies to help you out, no boss battles, no ability to fight in vehicles, I mean there is just nothing that changes as the game goes on. It's as if the developers just got lazy and decided to leave the game as it was at the beginning and just design new levels. That just doesn't work.

First, let's talk about the gameplay. It blows you away at the beginning and then gets old fast. This game is designed around using cover. If you don't use cover, you die. Simple as that. This game does a good job of using it too. The main character can be pressed against walls, creep along to the corner and then peek around. See an enemy? You have a couple choices. Simple pressing fire will make the character stick his gun out and simply blind fire to prevent any damage to your character. This is a good addition and works fairly realistically. Blind fire is in no way accurate and the character simply moves his gun back and forth spraying the whole area with bullets in hopes of killing the enemy. This is only useful if you have low health, however, because actually hitting the enemy is tough to do by blind firing.

There is another option, and that is to lean around the corner, but still keeping partially covered of course, and then being able to fire accurately at the enemies. This is definately the suggested option. Be aware that the enemy uses cover as well. They do tend to be pretty stupid at times though. They like to poke their heads out, so if you are a good shot then give them one to the head and they won't bother you any more. When firing, there is a good deal of recoil and firing in short bursts is definately recommended. There is another form of cover as well, and that is objects on the ground like cars, slabs of metal, couches (steel reinforced? I'm not sure how else they would stop bullets...), etc. These work similarly to looking behind walls except by pressing the sneak button you crouch under the cover and then there is the option of either pressing up and partially standing up to take accurate shots or simply pressing fire to raise your gun up and blind fire.

There is a decent variety of weapons in this game. They range from American automatics like the M16 to Russian made AK's to sniper rifles. Each have their own distinctive feel, rate of fire, accuracy, etc. A few have a grenade launcher attached. This is definately useful in taking out enemies hiding behind cover. All of the weapons tend to be fairly realistic. It takes anywhere from 1-5 shots to take down an enemy depending on where you shoot them. Sniper rifles take them out in 1-2 shots. There are grenades as well. Theyare the standard grenade that bounces off walls, the sticky grenade which is useful for sticking to walls, etc, and a flash grenade. Honestly, I have never seen a flash grenade made so successfully in any game before. Using a flash grenade is incredibly useful in this game. Enemies within it's radius will be paralyzed for a few seconds, holding their ears, screaming, and even firing off blind shots into the air. Be careful not to be too close when it goes off.

The visuals in this game are quite impressive as far as character modelling goes. The main character is very detailed. You can see the pouches of ammo and grenades strapped to his belt, etc. The character is just very well modeled. Everything is in the right proportion. The chest sticks out a little indicating a bullet proof vest. The movements are incredibly smooth. Whether pressed against a wall, creeping around while crouched, ducking behind a car for cover, raising an arm to blind fire at enemies, to pulling out a grenade and chucking it, all the animations move smoothly. The enemies look good as well, however they all look the same. Same color of clothes, same look in every way. None are built smaller or bigger. So they look good, but the lack of variety is unimpressive.

The levels and environments are modelled fairly well. The levels are quite vast and the objects in them generally look pretty. The developers did a good job as far as bullet holes go as you can see them in walls, cars, etc. The environments change quite drastically level to level. Some are based outside in deserts, some based inside in room to room and underground combat, and some are outside. The weather definately effects the gameplay as rain makes seeing the enemy very hard at times. You will have to rely on muzzle flashes to spot some enemies because as I said, the levels can be quite vast and enemies can be above you as well as around you. My only complaint with the graphics are the explosions. They are quick and fade away much too quickly. They don't look good and they don't last.

As far as sound goes, this game is solid mostly. The guns all have unique sounds that sound very close to their real life counterparts. Explosions sound loud and gunfire is rapid and it really feels as if you are there. Bullets pinging around your head will definately make you want to use the cover. All of the grenades sound good. Especially the flash grenade. If you get too close you will be hearing nothing but bells for quite a while.

The voiceovers are done well. The mission start has a good briefing. The main character's voice is strong and masculine, just how he looks, which is good. There is a good deal of dialogue from the enemies while in battles. They will be screaming things like "Take Cover!" when they are under fire or when they see a grenade. There are also announcements over the speakers about intruders when someone pulls the switch on the alarm. The music is also solid. The music adds to the tension and overall the sound sets a good atmosphere for the game.

There is no replayability in Kill.Switch, plain and simple. No downloadable levels for Xbox. No multiplayer. Let me tell you, this game is perfect for some massive multiplayer online levels or cooperative. Namco made a serious mistake by not including either. This game is single player only, very linear levels and storyline, and with no unlockables. Basically, it's a quick one time through and then it's done for good. So, I suggest giving it a rental, beat it, have fun with it, but don't purchase it as there is no replay factor here.