GamersInfo.net

German publisher CDV brings us this fantastic "what if" tale blending authentic equipment and weapons with a slightly sci-fi story. This great story, when combined with some cutting edge technology, advanced rag doll physics, realistic combat and an Advanced A.I. combine to make a fast-action first person shooter.

Let me begin by stating that the build I played is some months old may have been altered by the time the game is released. This does not however detract from the beauty of the game. The graphics are phenomenal! The lighting, environments and character models all tied together to make some fantastic levels that being you in to the action. The game starts out and is interspaced with amazing cut scenes that further both the story and the settings. In addition to the cut scenes, two other elements of the graphics really tied the game together: the first was the amazing environments - ranging from a fortified prison to a U-Boat - that really draw the player in to the game and go along way toward drawing them in to the story; the other element is the detail on the character models from the helmets to the pouches the equipment is realistic in not only its detail but in its composition. All these pieces fit together to form a complete whole and go along way toward furthering the player's enjoyment of the game. Not only did these features further my enjoyment they give this semi-historic game a more realistic flair.

Graphics are not all this game brings to the table. There are several core features that make this something special, the first is the realistic combat system. When first entering the game I expected enemies to behave as they do in most first person shooters - you shoot them and they stay down. UberSolider gave me quite a rude awakening. As I entered the first level, I shortly found myself traversing though a hospital as Karl where he had been recovering from his resurrection. He is rescued by the resistance and starts his fight for freedom. As Karl escapes armed with only a pistol, he comes upon a room with several scientists and other patients; as the scientists realize what is going on they order the patients to attack. Like many seasoned players this encounter didn't seem like it would be much of a challenge at first, and as I shot the patients and they went down I was not disabused of this notion. It was not till I was moving in on the scientists that I realized I was being hit from behind. This furthered a feeling of paranoia throughout the game as you never were really sure that an enemy was truly dead.

UberSolider adds to the FPS genre a realistic combat system where chance can be come a factor; that beautifully aimed headshot could in fact miss as it glances off the helmet of the target. I loved this additional bit of chaos factor of never quite knowing if your shot at that solider behind the bunker really took him down or if when you turn that corner they'll be lying in wait.

A.I. becomes more and more advanced in gaming and while no game has brought a human level of intelligence to a game yet (and for this I am thankful), games have become more realistic with the enemies at least considering self-preservation rather then just charging blindly forward. While the A.I. in UberSolider is by no means perfect and some enemies do seem suicidal (some act this way intentionally), many now will take cover behind objects making them much harder to kill. Perhaps my favorite thing the enemies do is cover each other. An enemy might run from you and as you chase them around that corner - bam! there are ten more waiting, all firing at you.

Finally we get to some of the features that give the game both its unique sci-fi feel. These are the gameplay elements that make UberSolider not just another World War II shooter. These are Karl's Temporal Shield and the Wrath Reward system - supernatural elements that are at the players control and can be used to make Karl something just a bit more then a good solider. They truly make him an uber solider. The Temporal Shield will form a temporary shield around the player that will stop bullets and help Karl though some situations that might other wise be suicidal. This feature is not unlimited though and when gone can leave you exposed so you must be aware of what you're doing or you could end up in a worse place then when you started.

This does however tie in to the Wrath Rewards system. This system has two types of rewards - the first is the Fury Reward. When the player gets 3 or more headshots in a row it will increase the power of the Temporal Shield. This becomes very helpful at higher levels. The second reward of the Wrath Reward system is the Rage Reward. This reward will increase your health slightly for every 3 consecutive kills you manage with a knife. The use of this is obvious and a few increases of this sort early on can go a long way toward increasing you're survivability later in the game.

UberSolider did hold some disappointment for me though, and this was it's lack of a multiplayer capability. While not everyone loves multiplayer I find that for me it's something that really brings me deeper into a game. Now, that said, it's not the end. There is the possibility that the released game will have a multiplayer or even that it could be patched in at a later point. Add to this that the single player game is not only entertaining but of such a length that a player isn't losing out on much. In fact, it is one of the better single player games that I have had the pleasure to play in recent years.

The copy of UberSolider I received was by no means complete. And, with several more months until release much can change. But, it's current incarnation it was one of the best shooters I have played this year and could turn out be one of the best released this year for PC. I found myself having a hard time putting it down at times and ended up late to work several times when I stayed up playing to the wee hours of the morning. I, for one, not only look forward to see what the final product will look like. I know I'll be purchasing this game when it's released.