» Review: Singularity

What if the leaders of post-WWII Russia invented a weapon that would potentially allow it to dominate the world?

That is the premise of Singularity, a first-person shooter with the added bonus of time manipulation and the ability to move objects thrown in for good measure.

But first, the storyline.

The discovery of the element Katorga-12 by Stalin’s scientists in the 1950s leads to super-powerful but unstable Element 99, which promises to provide the Russkies the advantage they need in the Cold War.

Russian scientists construct a bomb with the element, but triggering the E99 device on a remote Russian island causes unknown problems.

These events lead to a covert investigation by U.S. Special Forces, led by Cpt. Nathaniel Renko.

But a mysterious energy pulse causes the mission to go wrong, transporting Renko back to 1955.

Aided by a rogue Russian scientist, Renko equips himself with the Time Manipulation Device, an arm attachment that allows time and matter manipulation.

Bouncing between 1955 and the present, Renko must investigate the destruction caused by the bomb while defending himself from both Russian soldiers and those affected by the detonation – mutants. These mutants are able to shift between the time periods, enabling them to kill at will.

The TMD allows Renko to move objects and also to age or “un-age” objects. For instance, situations might require that you return an object to its original state in order to use it or to retrieve ammo. Safes can be aged to shatter the door and allow access, while old containers can be revived to use as stepping stools.

The TMD can also be used on living things, either mutants or soldiers. The mutants can be forced to remain in the current time period, making them easier to kill. You can also disintegrate soldiers or even turn them into mutants to attack other soldiers.

The weapons are standard issue FPS – pistols, shotguns, rocket launchers, etc. The TMD adds the needed edge to combat. The mutants – from the fast-moving Zek to the skittering little Phase Ticks – offer a challenge.

The game is strictly linear, but can be confusing at times, with the maze of hallways and seemingly alternative paths. Fortunately, you can activate a “Chrono Ping” at any time that can point the way.

A multiplayer mode offers two gametypes – creatures vs. soldiers and extermination mode.

Creatures vs. soldiers is your typical team deathmatch. Extermination mode is more of an objective-based gametype, with one side activating beacons and the other trying to destroy them.

Graphically, Singularity is not cutting edge. It’s not bad, it’s just reminiscent of games earlier in this generation of consoles. The action flows well and does not encumber the storyline.

Singularity is a welcome diversion in an otherwise slow summer of videogaming. It’s not perfect, but it does enough things well enough to make it a definite rental.

Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Rating: Mature

Manufacturer: Activision

Score: 7.5 timewarp chilies