Product Reviews

Blacksite's plot is based around the much-discussed Area 51 site in the Nevada desert. You play as Aeran Pierce, a Delta Force soldier who experiences some strange occurrences in Iraq that come to a head when aliens invade the small Nevadan town of Rachel.

The alien invasion forms the main body of the game, and although the plot is intriguing and the graphics impressive, you never have a sense of being fully submerged in this world. This is largely due to failings in the AI, both of your comrades and your enemies. Controlling your squad is designed to be simple, with a single-button approach that lets you assault doorways or

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attack specific enemies. However, they often carry out these commands awkwardly, remaining outside doorways and unable to engage their targets. Incoming enemies won't dive for cover in the realistic manner of foes from Call of Duty 4, either, and usually prefer to engage in a suicidal and tedious stand-up gunfight.

Another bone of contention is the lack of variety both in terms of weaponry and enemies. A few more opponents, with different attributes that require a different tactical approach, would have helped immensely. For example, you'll spend most of the game using your standard-issue assault rifle.

The game is a little over-concerned with ironic commentary about the American military, particularly in its dialogue. This is amusing at first, but it becomes grating in the latter stages and also acts to undermine your sense of immersion.

Blacksite is genuinely innovative in bringing a political slant to its storytelling, as it draws comparisons between American foreign policy and the alien invasion. But with the recent successes of Call of Duty 4 and Crysis, the first-person shooter genre is a tough place to compete, and Blacksite simply doesn't feel polished enough to deserve your attention.