City
Interactive has recently released a game entitled SAS: Secure Tomorrow. In this
game players take part in a British SAS (Special Air Services) operation. The
goal is to track down a well-organized and well-funded terrorist organization
that recently ‘busted’ out their leader within a high security prison. Failure
in this operation is not an option because the SAS is the last line of defense
against the malicious schemes of this terrorist group.
Players will
have many different tools at their disposal to complete their mission. They will
have access to an infrared visor, S10 gasmask, and M84 flashbangs – enough items
to make players trigger happy by just looking at it all. Throughout each
mission, players are allowed to carry up to four weapons at any time. This does
not include the grenades they have at their disposal. The weapons range from
semi-automatics to fully automatic guns that will help players complete any
obstacle in their way. What makes this even better is that each weapon has at
least some zooming function. Sometimes, there is even a full scope to help take
out any enemies getting in hard to reach places.
The computer
AI in this game is not very intelligent. After playing through the first few
levels, players will actually understand how dense the AI actually is. The AI
will actually chase players around throughout the entire level until they
attempt to find them. Some of the most "classic" moments happen when the AI
enemies will actually throw themselves off a roof to their death just to get a
better shot at players. While gamers will applaud the developers for getting the
AI to try to act more human, they still have a long way to go. Even though the
AI is easy, it will still put up a nice fight in certain levels, but it is not
as much as many gamers like.
Good to always have
a backup
After players
have successfully saved the world from ending, they have the option of trying
out the multiplayer options either online or over a local area network. There
are several standard options for players to participate in: deathmatch, team
deathmatch, and capture the flag. As always deathmatch is a complete free for
all, where the gamer with the most kills at the end wins. Team deathmatch is the
same as deathmatch, except players are divided into two teams. One unique aspect
is that if players kill their teammates they will be penalized, which normally
doesn’t happen in a game like this. Capture the flag is also very standard
affair here with no real changes to the standard formula.
One good
thing about the multiplayer modes is that there is rarely any lag in any of the
online matches. As long as players have a decent connection speed they will be
able to play to their hearts content on a fast loading game. The only problem is
the lack of players online, as it might take longer then players are accustom to
getting into a match. Overall the multiplayer modes work well here the main
problem with them is the lack of innovation. The modes are the standard fair
that all gamers expect to see in games of this nature, but there isn’t anything
more than this.
Someone is about to
have a really bad headache.
From the SAS:
Secure Tomorrow loads, players will be able to tell that this is a budget title.
This is not entirely a bad thing. Overall the game looks very clean. It has
spacious detailed environments to do battle in. Even the characters models are
have a nice bit of detail on them. The main problem is that this game has a very
"last generation" look to it. There have been much better looking games released
before this game. This is extremely evident if players observe the character
animations as they seem slow and clunky. They are not horrid, but they are not
quite what players are used to seeing anymore.
The gore
level on this game is outstanding. Once players shoot an enemy they will be
gushing with blood, just like a geyser. There is no dismemberment found in the
game though, which might either appease or displease some gamers. If the blood
amount gets too much for gamer stomachs, there is an option to turn it off.
The sound for
this game is pretty good. Since gamers are playing as the British Special Forces
it is good to hear that all of the characters had authentic sounding accents.
Players will also be glad to know that the painful moans of hurt and dying
characters wound authentic as well. The sound effects are also solid, from the
gunfire to expositions, it all sound very real and will give player’s subwoofer
a real workout.
SAS: Secure
Tomorrow is rated Mature.
The system
requirements are as follows:
Windows XP or Vista (32 bit)
2.0 GHz or greater processor
512 MB of RAM
8X or faster CD/DVD drive
6.3 GB of disk space
128 MB Video Card
Direct X 9.0c
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Gameplay: 6.5
Fans of the genre will feel right at home with this game. The main
problem with the gameplay is that there is no true innovation here, but it will
quench gamers’ thirst who are looking for a tactical shooter until the next big
game for the genre gets released.
Graphics: 7.1
The graphics are not horrible nor are they great, it has a very "last
generation" look to it. To put it in perspective this game would have looked
great back in 2005-2006, but today it looks average.
Sound: 7.5
The sound effects and voice acting is really good in this game. The
music is decent but it is palatable.
Difficulty: Easy
Veterans of the genre will find this game extremely easy to play. For
newer players there will be a few challenges here and there, but nothing that
cannot be overcome with time and patience.
Concept: 5.0
This game really doesn’t add anything new to the genre.
Multiplayer: 6.5
The multiplayer options for this game are decent, but has a very "been
there done that" feeling towards it. The main problem here is actually finding
enough players online to play against.
Overall: 6.5
SAS: Secure Tomorrow is a pretty good game, considering it is only a
budget title. The biggest complaint players will have towards this game is the
actual length of the game, since it can be beaten in just a few hours, and the
true lack of challenge it provides. The multiplayer helps, but it is not enough
to keep players engaged in the game to long periods of time.
