Many science-fiction writers have given it due consideration and even Cher flirted with the idea in the late 80s, but only Raven Software are able to provide us with the experience of being able to turn back time. At its core, Singularity is a straightforward first person shooter. However the ability to manipulate time is integral to both its storyline and gameplay.
The plot revolves around Katorga-12, an island that the Russians used to conduct experiments in the 1950s. After scientists attempted to form a singularity, it blew up Chernobyl style. Cut to 2010 and you’re a part of a Black Ops team sent to investigate radiation that has been emitting from Katora-12. Within minutes, the helicopter which is flying you to the island spins out of control and crashes. You awake to some nasty surprises including the revelation that these experiments have created, wait for it, mutant monsters. Will they never learn?
Once on the island, you begin to experience time shifts, during which you see ghostly figures from the past arguing about the morality of the experiments or fleeing for their lives after the explosion. At one stage you walk into a school classroom and you watch as the teacher instructs her children to hide under the desk in readiness for an explosion. When you snap back into present time, you see the charred bodies of the children still under those desks. This is a much more engaging method of storytelling than the old note left behind scenario or, as is now almost as common, audio recordings. Unfortunately Singularity doesn’t completely break the shackles of video game conventions and throws in its fair share of notes and recordings as well.
Fortunately, the graphics provide as much information about the story as those tiresome notes. This is especially the case as you seamlessly shift from present time to 1955. The environment changes from a run down, dishevelled wasteland of greys and browns to the sterile white and pastille surroundings of the Katora-12 before it all went to hell.
Once you obtain the Time Manipulation Device (I guess the place blew up before they had a chance to give it a decent name), you can completely transfer back to 1955. Unfortunately Singularity is, in some respects, a very linear game and you can only travel back in time when the narrative cues you to do so. The lack of autonomy is somewhat disappointing when you consider potential of the Time Man… let’s just call it the TMD.
Throughout the earlier levels you use the TMD to ‘age’ or ‘renew’ objects to solve puzzles, reveal information or uncover hidden supplies. You can also use the ‘age’ or ‘renew’ functions to devastating effect against your enemies. Eventually you gain the power to create bubbles which manipulate time or turn enemies into blind monsters who will attack anything that makes a noise (including you unfortunately).
Although there is not a huge array of weapons in Singularity, the combination of guns and the TMD, provide you with enough gameplay variety and, let’s say, satisfaction in finishing off your enemies.
You have your standard first person shooter fair including a nifty sniper rifle which has the capacity to briefly slow time. All of these weapons and a few others are ‘stored’ in a series of magical lockers. Once you pick up a weapon, it will be conveniently available to collect or upgrade in any of the lockers throughout any of the levels. This gives you the freedom and enjoyment of trying new weapons without risking losing your favourites.
There are a couple of exceptions to this locker storage bonus and they are the ‘special’ weapons. If you’re anything like me, you’ll come to depend upon, and perhaps even love, The Seeker. This high powered rifle allows you to shoot its explosive ammo and then guide the bullet in slow motion. You can then watch your handy work as it slowly destroys your enemies. The sweet memories I have of blowing off an enemy’s head and watching the blood gush out is….sorry, I must remember to cut this section out of the review.
There’s a decent variety of enemies. You have numerous Russian soldiers and a bunch of grotesque mutant monsters. Each class of soldier has a particular type of gun and capabilities. Each monster has its own (sometimes disgusting) way of damaging you. One such mutant is the Revert. Vomit is its weapon and, let me tell you, it’s mighty powerful and more than a little ‘ick’.
The multiplayer is somewhat limited, and certainly not populated with a large number of gamers. However, I did enjoy the opportunity to play some of monsters that caused me such headaches during the single player campaign. There are only two modes of multiplayer in Singularity. One is Extermination (renew or defend your beacons) and the other is Monsters Vs Soldiers (a team death match style encounter). Both modes have you playing with either a team of monsters (in a third person perspective) or a team of soldiers (first person). There is joy to be had as you vomit on your opponents or lash out at them with your claws. However, once you play all the monsters, your interest in the multiplayer mode begins to wane. Like most games, other than bigger titles such as Halo or Call of Duty, there is probably not going to be a great deal of longevity in the multiplayer facet. Raven Software has understandably opted for a smaller niche multiplayer mode, rather than trying to complete with the aforementioned.
The selling point of the Singularity is the single player campaign. The solid story, which allows you to experience all three ending one after the other, provides an engaging backdrop to some fun first person shooter action. Those who enjoy the combination of powers and weapons in games such as BioShock will likely get something out of Singularity. The time travel element provided a really strong basis for the game, but Raven could have done so much more with it.
