Blacksite - PS3

Review of BlackSite: Area 51 - PS3

Released in 2007, BlackSite: Area 51 is a first-person shooter developed by Midway Games and serves as a follow-up to the 2005 title Area 51. Set in a fictional Nevada town, the game centers around an elite military squad sent to investigate a government cover-up involving extraterrestrial life. Blending military action with sci-fi elements, BlackSite aims to provide players with an engaging, action-packed experience, but it falls short of delivering the kind of memorable shooter experience that players expect from the genre. Here's a detailed review of BlackSite: Area 51 for the PlayStation 3, covering its strengths, weaknesses, and overall appeal.

Strengths

1. Engaging Story Premise The storyline of BlackSite offers an intriguing concept, as it combines military action with UFO conspiracy theories. The game's narrative revolves around an elite military unit tasked with investigating strange occurrences in the town of Rachel, Nevada, near the infamous Area 51. As the plot unfolds, the player encounters government cover-ups, alien creatures, and strange occurrences, creating a tense atmosphere of mystery and suspense.

   The game's plot and setting are highly reminiscent of sci-fi films like The X-Files and The Thing, appealing to fans of government conspiracies and extraterrestrial lore. While the story isnt groundbreaking, the setup is solid, providing an interesting backdrop for the action.

2. Solid Gunplay and Combat Mechanics At its core, BlackSite offers a fairly solid first-person shooter experience. The gunplay, while not as polished as other contemporaneous shooters, is functional and delivers the expected thrills. The shooting mechanics are straightforward, and players can engage in intense firefights against both human enemies and aliens. The combat system includes a variety of weapons, including assault rifles, shotguns, and alien tech-based guns that offer satisfying visual effects and destructive power.

   The game also includes a cover system, allowing players to hide behind objects to take cover and return fire. While not as refined as other shooters, the mechanics work well enough to provide an engaging combat experience.

3. AI Teammates and Squad-Based Action One of the key features of BlackSite is the inclusion of AI-controlled squadmates, who assist you in combat scenarios. You can give basic orders to these teammates, such as telling them to follow you or engage enemies. While the AI is not flawless, it adds an extra layer of tactical depth to the game, allowing for more dynamic and strategic encounters. Squadmates will also interact with the environment, assisting in gunfights and helping to complete objectives.

   This squad-based element adds variety to the gameplay, as you can rely on your teammates for backup in tougher battles and work together to outmaneuver or overwhelm enemies. The games co-op nature, though limited, provides some enjoyable team-based moments.

Weaknesses

1. Lack of Polished Gameplay While BlackSite offers solid shooting mechanics, the overall gameplay is not as refined as other titles in the genre. The AI, though competent, can be frustrating at times, especially with the lack of nuanced tactics from squadmates. They can sometimes fail to react appropriately to enemy movements or fail to cover key areas, which can lead to unnecessary deaths or frustration during firefights.

   The cover system, while functional, often feels clunky, and players can find themselves getting stuck behind cover or unable to move smoothly from one piece of cover to another. The lack of polish in these systems