Singularity Review

Game:  Singularity
Year (s):  2010
Company:  dev.  Raven Software
            pub.  Activision
Engine:  Unreal Engine 3
Type:  First-Person Shooter
Game Time:  10 hours, first time, default difficulty


Plot

In the 1950's, the USSR discovered a new element on the island of Katorga 12.  The island was then used as a research and development base until an accident killed the inhabitants.  The base was shut down and abandoned.

In 2010, unusual radioactive readings are coming from the island, and a few choppers of US black ops are sent to investigate.  An anomaly sends you back in time, where you save someone from dying in a fire.  An anomaly then returns you to an altered present, where the USSR has conquered the world.  You must use your military skills and a nifty Time Manipulation Device (TMD) to restore history to its rihgtful course.

Back story is filled in by recovered notes, audio recordings, and ghosts.


The TMD

A short jog into the game, you'll find this item.  It continues to grow more powerful as you progress.  It can age enemies to death in combat, or shove them away.  It can be used as a gravity gun.  It can age scripted objects to decay, or do the opposite to rubble.

For the most part, the TMD is only particularly useful against bosses or in simple puzzles between firefights. 


Other Time Stuff

You move back and forth between the 1950's and the present a few times in the course of the story.  The sniper rifle, while scoped, has the ability to stop all enemies for a brief period.  One sniper rifle alternative allows you to steer rounds in slow motion.


Combat and Upgrades

There are a variety of weapons, but you can only carry two at a time.  Weapons can be upgraded.  You can also upgrade general things (like carrying more medkits) and TMD abilities.  There is a finite number of upgrades, so a second play could let you explore some different powerups. 

Combat is easy.  I blazed through this on default, even against the bosses.


Final Thoughts

Near the end, you can choose to be good or bad.  A second play would allow you to make the other choice here, and see a different ending.  I think it would have been very intuitive for the developers to incorporate several points where you can make a choice, and then you can see how it plays out when you're whisked back to the present.  It's a game about time!  But, they didn't. 

Singularity isn't bad; I had fun playing it.  That being said, it was short, easy, and some of the ideas could have easily been expanded upon for a more interactive, complex experience.

If you need something to do for a weekend and there's a good sale on Singularity, maybe give it a go.  If you miss out on this one, you won't be missing out on much.