Disaster
Report
What
would you do if disaster struck around you? Embedded journalists
from around the globe are facing this question and much more as
war rages in Iraq, and here is your chance to become a reporter
in the middle of a crisis. “Disaster Report” pioneers
a new genre of video games by answering the ultimate “what
if” and asks you in turn “what now?” Taking the
role as, Keith Helm, a newspaper reporter looking forward to starting
at his new dream job, life changes swiftly and unexpectedly when
a disastrous earthquake hits Stiver Island. This man-made island—a
pinnacle achievement of human ingenuity—falls to ruin and
the only thing on your mind now is survival. Every choice you make
can either bring you closer to freedom or place you in greater peril,
and everywhere you turn you’ll ask yourself, “What now?”
So begins your adventure…
Disaster
Report comes as a fresh wind to the world of videogames. Many companies
focus most of their resources on creating new chapters in past game
series or just stick to the core genres that sell well. Disaster
report tries something new by working on a new genre: taking the
eerie feel of isolation from tasteless horror games, adding the
open puzzle feel of the “Tomb Raider” series, and mixing
in the creativity of engaging the gamer like never before. Most
games have a basic goal laid out for gamers to achieve, but this
one is different. Sure the goal may be to survive and get off the
island, but hey, you’re a reporter, remember? Why is the island
falling apart?
What you do while you’re roaming the island
is the key to the game. In 1999, “Run Lola Run”, an
innovative film from Germany, swept U.S. audiences by presenting
the same adrenaline pumping concept. Like Disaster Report, the movie
showed that every choice you make can have a direct effect on yourself
and your environment. Movie-goers were presented with several breathtaking
endings on how Lola’s dealings with her crisis of replacing
stolen mob money affected everything—including her boyfriend
and strangers, and with Disaster Report the same idea of making
choices rings true with 5 different endings that gamers can achieve.
Graphically,
Disaster Report brings the importance of draw distance into play.
Many games compensate for the “distance problem” by
making every object and/or piece of background that is usually only
a short distance away from the camera look foggy, but that can’t
work here. If you need to figure out the best place to run to get
away from falling debris or if you come to a cross roads, then you’re
going to have to be able to see pretty far away. Disaster Report
is one of the few games that come to mind which handles this issue
very well. When advancing, graphical flares like characters blinking
and clothes becoming more tattered as you press on in your quest
add to the realism of what’s going on. Later in the game,
check out how you appear to grow facial hair as it would be impossible
to shave considering you have no time!
Sound actually deepens the realism of your adventure
and is a nice break from a continuous soundtrack droning away. The
silence of walking alone down a road can be interrupted suddenly
by roar of a violent aftershock. Most will feel it all adds to the
thriller sense of the game.
Control
is great in the game; your character moves smoothly with the analogue
thumbstick and the “bracing” move is smart because it
stops you from getting knocked off your feet. The "shout"
feature you use to get someone’s attention is also a very cool.
During the course of gameplay, Keith will encounter other interesting
characters and at some points you’ll begin playing a game
of “follow the leader”, but like things in real life,
it can be a headache getting your friend to keep up, and in this
case staying alive.
Disaster
Report is a game that hasn’t gotten all the notice but is
a great surprise for those gamers always looking for something new
and fun. It’s no wonder that the game is getting great buzz
from gamers around the ‘net. Using your wits in a life-like
situation makes for an “edge-of-your-seat” experience
because you don’t know what will happen next and you have
to take chances. Your surroundings also shift with every shake,
so you’ll have to get inventive with the items you find, while
monitoring your health and taking care of your constant need for
fresh water. The game is very much a keeper and a sequel (like Keith
becomes a war correspondent) may already be in the works. Who knows
what doors it will open in the world of videogames, but in the meantime,
I got to make sure my emergency supplies are up to snuff with the
emergency tip guide in the game manual exclusively in Disaster Report!
For More Information
and Screenshots and to Order your Copy, Visit Disaster Report Online
Today: Click
Here |