Review: BlackSite: Area 51
I feel bad for Blacksite: Area 51. Sure, it's not a great FPS title in by any means but it is a solid and enjoyable shooter that will no doubt get lost in the shadow of great games like Halo 3, Bioshock and The Orange Box.
The Truth Is Out There
And truth be told, Blacksite deserves to lurk in the shadow of those giants as it doesn't quite reach the lofty bar that's been set for the FPS genre. The plot is rather generic--you're a Delta Force commando who has to clean up the mess created by some eggheads at a secret government research facility--and while your NPC comrades are likeable, their battle skills are seriously lacking. This becomes a big problem during the based levels where you're forced to drive and rely on their near-sighted gunnery skills to take care of enemies.
Popcorn Flick
That said, the gunplay, which follows the standard FPS formula of 'see bad guys, shoot bad guys,' is solid and fun; it's also bolstered by an interesting morale system where, if you perform well, your comrades get a small boost to their own skills. But let your team get into dire straits and their abilities take a small penalty. It's not revolutionary but it is an interesting system that rewards skilled gunplay.
At the end of the day, Blacksite is a decent enough FPS title that's the gaming equivalent of a summer action blockbuster: it sure as hell won't win any Oscars but it delivers just enough thrills to make you feel like you got your money's worth.--Tae K. Kim
PROS: Unreal Engine visuals shine. Good, solid action. NPCs are actually likable.
CONS: It's story won't 'wow' you. NPCs battle skills are lacking.
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