TV can be a complete minefield these days, especially if you’re off the Beeb. While commercial channels carry some truly remarkable programs, they’re often punctuated with the following announcements:- a) Incredibly boring motor insurance commercials that all claim they can get you a cheaper quote. b) Ambulance-chasing solicitors convincing Britain’s clumsiest people that they can get ten grand for tripping up on a matchstick. c) Carol ‘cash magnet’ Vorderman offering debt consolidation loans to bailiff-dodgers already living beyond their means. d) The psychically charged and seemingly ubiquitous Second Sight ad. It’s a wonder anyone watches TV at all. Fortunately, those with a genuine interest in Free Radical’s latest opus can avoid the box altogether. Stay right here and read these words – we’ll see you right on Second Sight.
Second Sight is a stealth action game in the vein of Metal Gear Solid, sexed up with a psychic box of tricks. The game centres on John Vattic, a scientist of some note stitched up like the proverbial kipper. When the game begins, John’s in a right old state. Bald-headed, imprisoned and bandaged, he looks like Jim Bowen after a night on the tiles. Although his brain is a bit flaky in the memory department, it turns out that his telekenesis skills are tip-top, allowing him to escape his current predicament. Thus the story begins..
Giving more of the plot away would ruin Second Sight for people, but the way story elements are woven together is excellent. Vattic slowly pieces his memory together – each flashback being a playable experience in its own right. You might think that the prequel sections would feel somewhat pedestrian in comparison to the psychic present, but the emphasis is skilfully switched. Instead of stealthily sneaking about with the brain a size of Birmingham, the flashbacks are all about conventional combat. The switch of styles works well and the interesting narrative direction prevents either approach from feeling stale.
Controls can seem initially unwieldy, especially as you’re given a lot to deal with very quickly. However, once you get to grips with them they become quite intuitive, particularly the gun combat controls. Free Radical have scraped the best of their experience to get those just right. Headshots are just difficult enough to be satisfying, but just easy enough to be achievable and the sniper rifle is particularly cool. Its a night vision zoom on your heads-up-display which works very well. The psychic powers take more getting used to, but can be managed effectively with concentration.
Production values are impressive, featuring a level of detail uncommon in western games. Some of the sound can grate – the “who am I’ – what am I’” dialogue spewed by Vattic in the opening chapter threatens to strangle the game at birth. Thankfully, things get better. The effects are full of nice touches – guns bang nicely enough and the loopier psionic stuff has an appropriately unnatural twang. The music ramps up when you’re up a certain creek without a certain paddle. The enemies can be particularly clever sometimes, able to gang up on you like bullies after your dinner money – making it all the more satisfying when you pull a machine gun out of your satchel and perforate their faces.
Ironically enough, it’s the little things that keep Second Sight from perfection. The adherence to cinematic presentation is admirable, but the game suffers in the stealth sections when the principal conduit for relating events is John Vattic. Solid Snake could chat up Mei-Ling even when he was alone – Vattic’s often completely on his tod. He really doesn’t shut up in the early stages – you’re more inclined to kill him than help him. Other inconsistencies detract too – your telekenesis ability scares any guard who sees it into shock. However, it also makes you defenceless to your rear and sides in tight spots, allowing one of his colleagues (who can’t quite see you lifting something with your mind) to shoot you in the face and neck area.
These are minor problems, easily counterbalanced by the wealth of good stuff that Second Sight has to offer (including an excellent ending). Free Radical have been historically criticised for producing games with weak narratives. They’ve obviously listened – Second Sight is an example of narrative dictating game, uncovering a decent mix of game styles along the way. The developers should be commended – they’ve listened to their fans, grown as a team and created a game that stealth action fans will lap up. Third time’s a charm.
