Segas Xbox premier titles
are looking really fun. Gun Valkyrie is an action/shooter that puts you in control of a
super tough soldier fighting to save the world from those who might misuse technology. The
plot is pretty straightforward sci-fi stuff: In a retro-future (something like the
Victorian era meets Neuromancer), a scientist, Dr. Hebble, has made a series of
technological breakthroughs. These advances, of course, accelerate beyond his wildest
imagination, and they ultimately result in the creation of a new form of energy that could
either save or destroy humanity. To insure the former and repel the latter, the Gun
Valkyrie unit is formed, an organization of scientists and warriors who work to protect
the new inventions and police their use. The fit hits the shan when Dr. Hebble disappears
and big, ugly monsters show up everywhere.
You
control a character (presumably female is shes a true Gun "Valkyrie") who
looks a lot like Oni with a helmet and jetpack. Eight weapons are at your disposal, and
you can perform jumps, hover maneuvers, and spectacular aerial dodges thanks to your
jetpack. This variety of maneuverability is important, given the fact that the areas you
explore are expansive and complex. You can interact with (read: blow up) most of the items
in rooms, which can help you take out the loads of nasties that invariably infest the
different corridors, warehouses, and labs you explore.
The
visuals are a good enough reason to check out this game. A unique shading technique has
been used, giving the game a distinctly Anime quality. The shading is excellent, and the
colors are incredibly vibrant. In addition, the power of the Xbox allows for extremely
high polygon counts, resulting in wonderfully smooth graphics, and excellent particle and
light effects, which make every shot and explosion that much more satisfying.
Gun
Valkyrie is fast-paced and fun. The control allows you to control your movement and the
direction you face separately, which in turn allows you to lay waste to enemies in an
unprecedented fashion. The jetpack adds a new twist to the standard run-and-gun
third-person adventure game, and the levels are truly huge. Youll spend time
searching each corner for a new corridor or tunnel to lead you to another large area. The
action hits hard, and keeps hitting.