Gaming Target - PlayStation 2: X-Files: Resist or Serve

Written by Tony Kennetz on March 25, 2003

First Impressions: The series was canned, but the license still means big bucks.

The X-Files television series was responsible for many things. It spawned ten seasons on the Fox TV network, it gave birth to a movie, spread the phrase УThe truth is out thereФ to millions of people around the world. Then there was that other thing it inspired, the lackluster, mediocre and (insert bland adjective here) X-Files: The Game for PC and PSone. It is undeniable, that point-and-click affair that didn't even included Fox Mulder or Dana Scully was simply inexcusable. Even so, it managed to sell half a million copies, an amount some good games do not manage to move. This was enough of a reason for Fox and Sierra to green light another X-Game. Luckily, this one looks like it will live up to the series' high-standards.

The story will be classic X-Files (it will even be written by members of the show's writing staff), featuring Mulder and Scully following leads on an alien landing that will take them around the globe to prevent a complete infestation. Sound promising? It should, especially considering how dull the first was.

Resist or Serve is not going to be one of those dull games that just ask you endless questions to determine how things will go down. Instead, it will be a survival horror title in the complete Resident Evil sense of the genre. Believe it, with a license like this it should work great. Many elements have been emulated in the creation of this new X-Files game from other genre favorites such as (you guessed it) Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Producers and other members of the development team have said they hope to take the best elements from these games and make them better. Among them are a strong but slow moving plot and stationary cameras. Hopefully, this game can rip features off so well that we just do not care that it is like robbery.

Gamers will have a chance to take on the roles of both Mulder and Scully here. The word on the street is that Mulder will be the more run and gun character, while Scully will take the more sophisticated role of the puzzle solver. This is where things start to get interesting, and quite frankly, more like the X-Files TV show. Then gamers take on the role of Dana, they will be able to perform autopsies on dead enemies to gain clues on puzzles and their nemesis' weaknesses. However, this isn't simply telling Scully to do it, you actually have to use the tools and cut up the cadavers yourself. It's a compelling idea, but how it is put into play will determine its worth to the title.

Visual images are always key to a game of this genre. This may never be more true than it is here. X-Files fans know all about gory images (even if some of them have been brought down into network TV-safe levels). There will be no shortage of blood, guts, or weird looking one-eyed beasts in this game. Based on early screens, we'd say there's little doubt Resist or Serve will pull in a well deserved M rating. Wouldn't and couldn't have it any other way.

The X-Files: Resist or Serve

First Impressions: The series was canned, but the license still means big bucks.