Dated looks wrapped in a well-executed plot.
Latest entry from Activision "Singularity" seems to be done with little time at the hands of developers and feels rushed and forced through the second half of the story. The game mixes some good ideas with content explored by other titles in the not so distant past. It builds itself on an idea and a plot it offers but doesn't really shine in other ends.
"Singularity" is a core for an alternative vision of the world where Communist Russia gets a chance in 1950-ies to dominate the planet after discovering a new element E99 which has tremendous military potential. An ultimate weapon - it is extremely volatile and radioactive and resides on a small island at the Far East. After many successful experiments there was a massive radiation leak, many perished and island was abandoned. In Year 2010 its radiation attracted attention of American military which sent a squad to investigate the place.
From this point on the story unravels at a break-neck speed throwing the player from one exciting action sequence to another blending everything in a storyline. It is not without its clichés but even with them I felt that the game gets me somewhere and I am not there just for shooting at enemies and trudging through boring levels. Towards the second half of the game when we know the major players, who we are helping and where the game goes it feels that developers have run out of ideas and twists and just lead us towards the finale. That reflects the atmosphere and level design. And if levels felt linear in the beginning towards the end I was just moving from one enemy post to another. The finale is quite expected - no eye opener - but after making your choice the game immediately offers you to return to the spot before the finale and check one of the other alternative endings.
Visual merits of "Singularity" would've been quite modest even two years ago. It is very monastic in its visual presentation trying to create the basic look of a Soviet research base. The way game "looks" feels dated and bleak. Locations are unmemorable except maybe for fire-sequence with raging flames and crumbling halls. Another rather negative point is that camera is set too close for a first-person perspective so you feel a bit limited in perception of the immediate surrounding locales. Graphics is not an eye-sore but don't jump at you either and are set there to create an abandoned rusted base ravaged by unlucky survivors of an old tragedy.
The range of opponents is very limited and enemies are positioned in different "hubs" of the level. So you are either alone for a good chunk of the level or battling off a whole squad.
If the mutants feel relevant to the setting though visually boring and unimaginative with an AI of the sea urchin your human opponents feel 2D and outwardly stupid. AI is limited to hiding behind objects and running towards player. Sometimes I could stand near the soldier and reload the weapon while he is running around the room looking for me. Russian speech is beyond translation and Thank God a good chunk of players wouldn't understand all this gibberish. The recorded phrases are being shouted completely at random and too often. Developers coughed up two bosses both of whom are quite good actually. I wouldn't spoil the fun but it is clear that the first half of the game was given lots of thought and planning. Second boss sequence was amazing. I even reloaded checkpoint to play it again. Lots of fun. That was the climax of the game, after that the game went downhill.
The game offers an assortment of weapons, special abilities and upgrades but, honestly, they were not as well balanced as in "Bioshock" and easy access to E99 credits, blueprints and weapon upgrades made the game too easy.
Atmosphere is the best thing in "Singularity". Music is just there on the background setting the mood for each segment of the game. Nothing outstanding but adds to the mood of the game. Sounds blend in with environments and are best when you are alone creating the feeling of the danger lurking in the shadows.
While playing "Singularity" I was constantly reminding myself about "Bioshock" and felt the game actually tried to give a little more than Bioschock did. Gripping action sequences during the first half of the game kept my interest, story jumping from one event to another, unlocking new powers - it was all present and well-done. "Singularity" didn't feel as lonely as Bioshock. Even with rushed second half of the game I always felt that I am a part of a storyline. The segment with crane is one example of that. "Singularity" felt more like a movie not a game. Very brisk, well-paced, relevant story-minded gameplay. Perhaps that's why its single player campaign feels so short and watered down towards the end.
Despite its austere looks, lack of boss fights and rushed ending "Singularity" is an exciting game that you want to finish before you go to bed. Its finale is not spectacular but wraps up the story very well. No bonuses for completing the game don't give much incentive for playing it second time.