Breaking
into the first-person shooter genre, or even the third-person genre can be a
tough thing to do. Yes, you have to have terrific physics and great overall
graphics, but there should also be solid AI (artificial intelligence) and a
dynamic storyline that draws you through the game.
Cenega and
Plastic Reality are hoping to put those ingredients together in the third-person
shooter called El Matador. The game’s story revolves around a shipment of South
American cocaine handled by a ‘brotherhood’ known as La Hermandad. Players take
on the persona of El Matador, a specialist whose job it is to take out the bad
guys (the Latin Nacromafia as well as those within the policia ranks that are
working the wrong side of the fence) with extreme prejudice.
GameZone.com
received some demo levels (the three levels clocked in at an impressive 1.27
gigs of hard-drive space) of the third-person shooter and jumped into the fray.
Although there were only three levels available, they were all substantial in
size, with a nice amount of action, stealth areas and many arcade-like features.
In regards
to the latter, you can pick up med kits, ammo, armor, new weapons, and the like
as you move through the labyrinth-like mission maps. A false move, like in Green
Hell (a jungle setting) may result in falling to your death and a level restart.
The other
levels were The City of Eternal Spring (city street action) and Fire On Water (a
battle on the docks with policia support) – each are early chapters in the game.
Game modes include only a tutorial and the ability to load up chapters in the
story. There is no multiplayer.
The levels
themselves were fairly straightforward and action-based. There were voice-overs
and the AI will likely have undergone some improvements before the game is
released. Why? Because you can have support with you who will move with you and
actually crouch right next to a bad guy who is shooting you and not fire a shot
at him. If fragging were possible, a headshot to the bad guy and one to the
hired help would have been in order.
The game
also gave an option of three graphics settings at launch – low, medium and high.
Using the Systemax Wildcat PC meant high graphics settings and El Matador was a
real visual treat. The lighting and shadows were remarkable, as were many of the
animations. Some effects, like first, was a bit pixilated, but the rag-doll
physics appeared to be, overall, well done.
In the
graphics department, the accents seem a little forced, but the dialogue is more
or less what one would expect from a title like this. The musical score fits the
theme and mood of the missions.
The levels
seem rather linear though players will find that they can shoot through
chain-link fences to take out opposition and environmental elements can be used
in tactics. Still, the levels presented were not that difficult to work through,
and the interface was intuitive.
El Matador
likely will not be the third-person shooter that resets the bar, but from the
three chapters seen, this is a title that will pack in the entertainment value.
There were things that did need to be addressed, but this was a preview of the
title and, as stated on the screen, a ‘work in progress.’
The game is
slated for release in mid-August.
