Alter Echo

It is very hard to find a unique game anymore, everyone always copies off good gameplay formula and ideas, and this is seen from Mario Brother’s games to Grand Theft Auto series. THQ decided to throw out conventional game mechanics and try for something new. The game that they created is called Alter Echo, and while it will not blow your socks off with anything revolutionary, it will provide a few hours of enjoyment.

The story behind the game is as follows: In the year 2580, Mutiplast is found, which allows special psychics, called Shapers, to create anything that the mind can think of. Multiplast is such a huge part of everyone’s lives that corporations hire Shapers to make everything from toys, cars, and even new kinds of clothes. Not all Shapers have the same abilities; some are more creative and powerful than others. Paavo got to be the most famous Shaper because his understanding of Plast was something of a “legend” and his talents were always in high demand. Due to his reclusive nature, Paavo soon had his death faked so he could work freely without anyone butting in on his creations, and starting working from Midas Post. As time past Paavo created something better than normal Multiplast, and he called it EchoPlast. Due to the high pressure and exhaustion from creating this new Plast, Paavo went insane. It is now up to you, Nevin, to go to Midas Post and obtain Paavo’s research materials and detain Paavo before he can cause any harm, but is it to late?

Nevin can morph between three distinctive forms throughout the game: Sword, Gun, and Stealth. This is the biggest enticement in this game, because players can play it through any way they want, and take advantage of each of the forms strengths to beat the enemies the quickest and most effective way. The Sword form is the fastest form that can target up to five enemies at once, and is the best for short range combat. The gun form is the best form for picking off enemies at long distances, but it can only target up to four enemies at one time. The stealth form can only target one enemy at a time, and you can go invisible to sneak past turret guns. Players can perform certain moves that combine morphing and attacking at the same time, which will create some devastating damage.

One of the most important moves players can do is Time Dilation, which allows players to alter time and take on a lot of enemies at once. Once Time Dilation is activated the camera will go to 2D board and the goal is to hit each of the “target icons”, in one combo. To do this there is a timer and players have to hit the right button at the correct time to connect it. Even though this move is extremely powerful, it is very easy to mess up, and at times it is faster to kill the enemies in one of your other forms.
Scattered throughout some of the levels there are Sync modes, which is a direct connection to the EchoPlast’s nervous system. This allows the players to actually alter the environment that they are in, to their benefit; an example of this is making a bridge to connect a gorge.

Alter Echo is extremely unique looking, from the psychedelic levels to the character designs. The whole idea is the planet is living so the developers had to make each of the levels organic looking, with lots of pulsating things going on to show this. The developers did a good job at this, but most of the graphic power goes to the animations of the main character. Since the character morphs between three different forms, it had to be instantaneous, and the developers succeeded in this. Nevin can change forms within the blink of an eye and the game continues without any hitch.

The music and the sound effects really fit this bizarre game. The music has a very techno-ish beat to it, make makes the wacky levels seemly come to life. Sound effects used really fit in the overall feel of the game as well, from the laser shots fired to the sword hitting the enemies. The voice acting is also decent, it never gets on your nerves, and the actors really got the whole “sarcasm” lines down pat!

There are few complaints I had about this game, but the first one is the on-going tutorial mode, it seems like every time players go into a new area, Echo comes in and explains what to do or gives hints. That was fine for the first few levels when players are getting accustom to the game, but later on it just becomes highly annoying and really distracts from the game. The biggest, and unfortunately, most unforgivable flaw in Alter Echo is the repetition. Every level is the exact same premise: go in; kill enemies while utilizing Nevin’s different morphing powers, and repeat.

Alter Echo is rated T for Teen for fantasy violence.

Gameplay 7.2
My biggest complaint about this Alter Echo is the repetition. The game has a new take on this genre, but all the battles are the same, and it gets old real fast!

Graphics: 8.2
The game looks decent, but it really doesn’t use the Xbox full power either. There are some nice effects thrown in from time to time, but it is nothing that you haven’t seen in a million other games. THQ outdid themselves with the character animation and the morphing between the three forms.

Sound: 7.0
The voice acting in this game is actually decent. The sound effects and the music really fit the entire theme of this game.

Difficulty: Easy
Alter Echo is extremely easy, I was able to beat it in no time. The only thing that might have proven to be a challenge is the boss battles, but they were on the easy side as well.

Concept: 7.9
I have to give THQ credit for trying to bring a new game into the world, with a unique spin. Having the main character have three different controls and moves that he can perform is a great idea, and made the game seem like it lasted longer.

Overall: 7.3
Even though this Alter Echo has a unique idea, the repetition kills it completely. This game is a good rental but nothing more.