Gaming Target - Xbox: Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy

Written by Kyle Williams on April 01, 2003

First Impressions: A thinking man's action game?

With the sheer volume of video games that have been released we are starting to run out of creative - read that as unique - twists on the traditional gaming genres. Or are we? Midway has just announced what could be the first genuinely original take on the action genre, outside of "bullet-time," in the last few years. ESPionage should be hitting shelves this fall and will put you in control of Nick Geller, an elite American Psi-Operative, and his array of psychic powers.

On a mission to take down a terrorist movement, you will need to use all of Nick's talents to compliment his traditional handguns and automatic weapons. And boy, he is going to have quite a few talents to pull from. Along with the more traditional telekinesis and mind control, Nick will be able to use pyrokinesis (control fire), leave his body to plan attacks, kill enemies by draining their mental energy, and will be able to see things that aren't visible in the real world. These psi-powers will allow players to explore all sorts of unique solutions to situations that would normally be handled by going in with guns blazing.

Of course, ESPionage isn't going to completely abandon the gameplay elements that have made action games successful in the last few years. In addition to Nick's psychic abilities, he will have a full arsenal of firearms available for him to pull from. Not every situation is going to be handled by going in head first, either. On occasion you will have to guide Nick around the hurdles in his path and fall back on the stealthy approach. With each mission having multiple paths that you can follow to success, you will be able to take any of these approaches that you want to in order to bring the army of super soldiers to their knees.

Watching the gameplay movies that Midway has posted on their website shows just how well the psi powers will complement Nick's more traditional weapons. Nick will be able to pick an enemy soldier up with his telekinesis and then shoot him with his assault rifle. Then, just for good measure he can drop a crate on him. The possibilities that these extra-sensory powers open up seem limitless. Hopefully they will be as easy to call upon as a handgun.

ESPionage is shaping up to be a solid visual package, too. The psi powers are all accompanied by fantastic effects and stunning realism. Throw a soldier against a wall and, BAM, he leaves a giant bloody splotch on the wall. Light a guy on fire with your pyrokinesis and he will run off screaming like a little girl. If all of the animations and level designs hold up to the standard that is being set by the psi effects then the game will be a true sight to behold.