GAME
Psi-Ops
The Mindgate Conspiracy

Format: PS2
Midway Games
£39.99

5 037930 071348
Age Restrictions: 18+
Available
22 October 2004


In order to combat a Psi terrorist movement set to overthrow world order, you, as an elite American Psi-operative soldier, must fight using telekinesis, mind control, pyrokinesis, mind drain, aura view and remote viewing to win a "mind game" against an army of brainwashed terrorist super soldiers and powerful Psi agents...

Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy adds another twist to the third person shooter genre. Not only can you wander around the levels disposing of the enemy via your weapons, or fist, you can use one of five psi powers at your disposal. These include Telekinesis (the ability to lift objects with your mind, remote viewing (allows you to see what is up ahead without fear of being spotted - you can even see through closed doors), mind control (the ability to take control of another persons body), mind drain (allows you to drain your victim of their life force), aura view (gives you the power to recall recent events that have occurred within a given area) and pyrokinesis (lets you create fireballs).

Honestly, you wait around for years for a mind control game and then two come along at once! Codemasters's Second Sight was released a month before Psi-Ops and the two are very similar in style. Personally, I have to admit to being more of a fan of Second Sight - it's easier to get into and looks better. However, Second Sight is also a lot easier to complete and there's nowhere near as much fun to be had.

There are just enough differences between the two games to actually warrant you buying both - and they are both exceptionally good games.

I loved the way that the developers let you unlock your psychic abilities as you progress through Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy - you already have the power, but have lost your memory. As you progress through the game you remember another one of your training sessions that led you to unlock your abilities in the first place. This is neatly transferred into a training level that helps you to master the ability of each power.

Sadly, there is a good chance this game will not get the full coverage and media attention that it deserves. On first impressions it doesn't look particularly attractive, and to be honest there are better looking games on the market, but once you start playing you won't want to stop. It's also probably fair to state that this will have a limited shelf life. But this is one of those games that you will certainly be drawn back to time and time again - even if it's just to play around in the training room with the giant Psi-Ops ball suspended from the ceiling by a chain.

This should become an instant hit, but it probably won't - which is a damn shame.

Ray Thompson

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