There’s a wide assortment of gamers
out there that look for particular features within their video games. Some enjoy
the finer aspects of using accessories and add-ons to play games such as
Guitar Hero and Forza Motorsport 2. Others may look for a compelling
single-player storyline to become engrossed by. There are gamers that look
particularly for titles that feature robust online features to play countless
hours with their friends, family and strangers. If you find yourself in the
third category, the online multiplayer gamer, then Section 8 may be right
up your alley.
Section 8 is all about the
multiplayer and isn’t scared to let gamers know that. The single-player campaign
is similar to what was found in Shadowrun and Counter-Strike;
players will learn the tricks of the trade as they master the controls and
tactics of Section 8. Used as a preliminary tutorial to become acquainted
with how to play Section 8, gamers shouldn’t be looking for an
overwhelming single-player experience. Yes, there’s a simple story provided, but
it’s not of the type that is astounding. Players suit up as Alex Corde, a
recruit for the 8th Armored Infantry as part of the 1st Recon platoon for the
United States Imperial Forces. Along the way, players will learn the ways of
Section 8 as they enter into a mini-war with the Arm of Orion to gain back
territory that was stolen. As stated earlier, don’t expect too much from the
offline campaign as it’s not as meaty as the online component and is primarily
there to familiarize gamers on how to play Section 8.
The main reason to even consider
buying Section 8 is to play in the 32-player battles online. Focusing on
teamwork and cohesiveness, the online battles are fast-paced and often hectic.
Immediately upon starting out a match, every player is able to select their
spawning point anywhere on the map that isn’t a captured point of the
opposition. Once the spawn point is selected, players are dropped into battle
from 15,000 feet and free fall to the ground. Seconds before they hit the
ground, each player is able to wrest control of the falling animation and
course-correct themselves to a different position if the surrounding area turns
hostile. This literally means that players aren’t forced into horrible spawns
where a camper is waiting for a cheap kill. It’s a fantastic feature that will
most likely be borrowed in some fashion by many other first-person shooters in
the future.
Section 8 is first and
foremost concentrated on having players work together. Although there are kills
to be obtained, a player’s kill-to-death ratio isn’t the main concern when it
comes to obtaining victory. Players are tasked to achieve a certain amount of
Victory Points (VP) throughout the match to achieve victory. This ultimately
requires players to learn more than being able to fire a gun and pull off
headshots. They must learn how to capture and defend control points, complete
mission objectives that pop up mid-game, heal their teammates and much more.
Section 8 is basically a shooter that asks for its audience to evolve past
the primitive deathmatch modes and better themselves at objectives such as
escort, capture-the-flag, and territorial control.
In one mission, a timer popped up
and asked for my team to chase down an enemy AI-controlled commando who was
being escorted by human players to assault our base. These types of mission are
called Dynamic Combat Missions (DCMs) and play a big part at differentiating
Section 8 from the rest of the standard shooting titles currently offered on
the Xbox 360. There are six DCMs that will occur outside of the normal goal to
control the entire map and they help raise Victory Points too. Many of them are
basic objectives that would usually be included as separate game modes in other
FPS titles such as bombing an enemy base, stealing enemy intelligence,
protecting a VIP.
So as anyone can see, Section 8
offers a wide variety of mission types and objectives within its sole
multiplayer mode. To make things even more interesting, players are eligible to
use vehicles, mech-suits, and call in turrets via dropships. The vehicles that
are available for use include a tank and a convoy. Tanks allow for up to four
players to tag along for a ride and are equipped with a cannon, a missile
launcher, a mini-gun turret, and mortars. The convoys are used as protective
transport and are able to clear through obstructions that stand in its way. As
for the mech-suits, they are heavily armored and come equipped with mounted
mini-guns to shred through enemies standing before it. Lastly, the varieties of
turrets that can be called in include: anti-turrets, rocket turrets and mini-gun
turrets. Along with that, sensor arrays (allowing for enemies to be seen on
radar) and supply depots are provided too. TimeGate Studios, the developer, has
gone to certain lengths to making sure multiplayer fans were taken care of.
That doesn’t even cover half of the
features within the multiplayer function. There are several different class
types that mix up weaponry, power suit buffs in the form of passive modules,
secondary equipment and a lot of other customization. If players are into the
idea of leveling up, well guess what, Section 8 offer that too and clans
to boot! For gamers who are afraid that the servers won’t be full enough to
enjoy Section 8, they shouldn’t worry since TimeGate Studios has
implemented bots into the gameplay to help balance things out.
At the end of the day, Section 8
is an extraordinary multiplayer-oriented first-person shooter. What it lacks is
any semblance of a competent single-player mode for gamers who don’t enjoy
online interactions. Knowing that, Section 8 is a title that should only
be purchased by fanatics of online multiplayer battles.
Gameplay: 8.2
Multiplayer is the one and only asset of the game modes. Players will have
to look elsewhere for their offline affairs.
Graphics: 8.0
Utilizing the Unreal Engine 3, the graphical flairs of Section 8
stand out from time to time.
Sound: 6.8
In comparison to the rest of the game, the audio falters with boring voice
work and a monotonous soundtrack.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 8.5
There’s nothing better than attempting to innovate the genre by meshing many
standard game modes such as CTF, Deathmatch, and Assault into one super-mode.
Multiplayer: 8.5
A brilliant start for TimeGate Studios, Section 8 delivers a dazzling
experience with having players focus on teamwork rather than being a lone wolf.
Overall: 8.1
Section 8 is a remarkable shooter that goes above and beyond its
expectations.
