Singularity

      Video Review:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJSSUI1UgeA

 
Singularity is one of those games that takes me by surprise. I did not expect to enjoy this game as much as I did, and sadly, that is partly because the marketing effort was completely absent. Thankfully, I didn't pass up the chance to try this game out, because it lived up to my simple hope of being decent, but also gave me a whole lot more. 
 
Singularity is a first-person shooter developed by Raven Software and published by Activision that focuses heavily on the manipulation of time. If you're like me, you're already sold because time-manipulation in media provokes some heavy thoughts and that's a good thing. The game starts off with the main character, Renko, scouting an island for abnormalities when everything goes terribly wrong and your chopper is brought down, violently of course. Throughout the game you are trying to figure out just what happened, and what IS happening.  
 
The main thing that sets Singularity apart from most other first-person shooters is, first, the developers' attention to atmosphere. When I first jumped out of my seat due to a well-implemented scare, I immediately thought, "Well done game, well done". After saying this, I also must say that it is a shame how the atmospheric scares are absent in the second half of the game. Still, when they are present, it adds a lot to the game overall. 
 
As I said, atmospheric effects are not present throughout the experience, but there are plenty of firefights, and good ones at that. Firefights themselves aren't new and, actually, can become very stale if not done properly. Fortunately, Singularity packs something that makes each firefight feel fresh and new, guns. Each weapon is a blast (no pun intended) to use: from the nailgun, to the time-slowing sniper rifle, and most importantly the seeker which allows for direct control of bullets directly to enemies brains. 

It's a good thing the guns are well-designed, but Singularity does not stop there. Early in the game the TMD or Time Manipulation Device is introduced and it further increases the variety in each firefight. You, as the player, can force push, pull, throw, and blow almost anything up. It really is a blast to use and successfully creates an identity for Singularity in the large pool of first-person shooters. The TMD also diversifies itself by acting as the player's tool for solving different puzzles, and while the puzzles aren't as challenging as they could be, it can sometimes be a nice break from the action. Both the TMD and weapons can be upgraded at scattered upgrade stations as well as unique perks. The upgrade, themselves, don't seem especially thought-out, but it's a welcome addition for replay value.
 
So the guns are imaginative, the TMD is exciting, and the firefights are varied, but Singularity's story was the main part that surprised me. Like Bioshock, the game's story has some twists, but it also gives hints, throws some out, and then introduces new ones in a smooth mind-bending fashion. That might seem like a contradiction, but once you experience the game's story for yourself, you'll probably understand. The game has a total of three endings, and while one or two may feel tacked on, I found one that was especially satisfying and gave a good sense of closure.  
 
Singularity is a game that surprised me. It was unfortunate that the game's online portion was unaccessible due to connection problems, but the singleplayer kept me fully entertained and makes this game a surprise hit.