Devastation

• Platform:   Windows 2000 / 98 / NT / Me / XP
• Media: Video Game

The story sounds like the rest: You play Flynn Haskell, the leader of a local chapter of the resistance who's charged with defeating the surrounding enemies and becoming the leader everyone knows he can be. The game's based on a heavily modified Unreal gaming engine and the majority of gamers will recognise the interface straight away.

The graphic detail allows for rag-doll deaths and the sort of interactive features we have come to expect from the average first-person shooter, such as the ability to pick up and throw chairs. You have over 30 weapons to keep you occupied, including a trusty knife and the odd bit of 2x4 that you find lying around. Those wanting more than the 25 hours offered by the single-player game can choose from four different multiplayer modes.

This is nothing special but if you are looking for a first-person shooter to while away some time then this will suffice--just don't expect it to be the next Half-Life. --Jason Denwood

Product Description
Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth where survival and dominance are all that matters, Devastation is an action, team-play-oriented first-person shooter. Developed by Digitalo and powered by the heavily modified next generation Unreal Engine technology, it pits teams of rebelling street fighters, gang leaders, mercenaries and ex-military fighters against overwhelming armies of high-tech corporate troopers.

Fought over 32 massive photorealistic levels based on real-world textures, the game includes 20 single-player and 12 multi-player maps set in four environments. It features incredible Hollywood-style explosions and amazing particle physics including explosive headshots, flowing water, stunning weapon effects, realistic fire, ragdoll deaths and blood. Next generation AI gives enemies micro-behaviour and a heightened awareness that makes them seem almost too real.

A dynamic tactical component allows you to decide how much control to exert over non-player character team-mates. Give individual commands or none at all to co-ordinate an eight-person attack or just go in guns blazing.

In the completely interactive environments, everything can be used, destroyed or manipulated. Set traps with garbage or use broken bottles to slash your way to victory. The choice of 30-plus weapons includes machine guns, swords, handguns, sniper weapons and incredible Rat Drones that allow players to "become" weapons.

The objective-based single player campaign calls for special skills including stealth, surveillance, computer hacking and sniping. Go head-to-head or mix it up with co-operative games in both Arcade and Simulation settings.

• PC & Video Games > Games > Strategy > Military