X-Squad is essentially syphon filter run through a graphic overhaul and prettied up more than Jennifer Lopez at an interview. The game is set arbitrarily in the year 2037. You are the leader of 'X-Squad', Ash, and your initial objective is to find out what happened to a research facility which has recently ceased communication. What's this? There is something more than saving a research facility?!. As you would expect , the initial problem turns out to be larger than anyone could have thought and thus the X-Squad is the only group who can put a stop to the eventual mayhem known elusively as "Project: Medusa". And thus, the story is developed through missions involving many locales and objectives. Plot-wise, X-Squad something of a Metal Gear Solid meets Tomb Raider; high-risk conspiracy fought with a large arsenal of guns and handy item.

While Ash is the character you control, you are also charged with controlling the actions of your X-Squad team. Enter: Maya the voluptuous brainiac and Melinda the voluptuous marksman whom both prove the age old video game rule that if a woman is carrying a gun, she will be decked out in the most revealing yet practical military gear available. There's also a large man named Judd, but he's no way as interesting. In order to draw on these members, Ash must enter into communication range with them at several points in the mission (read: you only get help when you need help). Once you have their attention you can order them to perform any one of the five main commands; follow, attack, spread, and stay. These decisions are only available when the plot calls for another member to be accompanying you. Still, it is a fun touch to the game.

This, and other in-game actions are done quite well with the easy to manage control system. There are many menus and choice to keep tabs of, but operating back and forth between your options is pretty straight forward and easy to get accustomed to. Reading the instruction book also helps, although I know many would hate to admit that. Moving Ash requires getting used to the touchy analog controls. You can strafe, walk, roll, and jump - its just a question of whether or not you really need to do these things and if you have the memory needed to execute these combo-esque maneuvers. The same follows for weapon control, while very much the same control to platform games in the past, X-Squad requires some patience and attention to instructions in order for complex moves to become natural. During the game, it is common to participate in all out gun play and the next moment to be picking people off in sniper mode - both very fun when you can get it

Unfortunately, camera operation is something which drags this title down. Manipulated with the right analog stick, it is often a session of frustrating fine-tuning to get the camera going exactly where you want to. Leave it alone and it will remain static behind you, sometimes not showing what logically should be seen in your position. Its not so much that its done bad, as much as its another thing the player has to keep in mind when already there are so many small nuances in the game. It would have been nice for the developers to just perfect an automatic camera movement, instead of putting the responsibilty on the gamer...which it appears they have done here.

Visually, X-Squad is truly a next generation title. The days of arcade-quality games being unachievably is long over. With high definition characters and objects, X-Squad could definitely stand its own in any arcade. Even the animation (real-time cut scenes included) appear clean and well designed. It seems that Sony is opting more and more to replace FMV with animated scenes using in-game graphics and X-Sqaud is an example of how effective this can be. My only trouble with the graphic engine is that at times it seems a little too generic and pretty. Some environments and items seem too recycled from room to room and overall the graphics are a little too clean to pull off the 'dangerous and dirty' atmosphere you are suppose to be playing with. And in terms of environments, there are many to visit during the course of the game -- each one sporting more and more visuals to drool over. All things considered, I would say X-Squad excels in this area the most.

Voice and music are done well, but sometimes the acting reminds me of being trapped in a large zombie-invested mansion. It's not so much that the voicing is dull, more so bordering on melodramatic and cliche a little too often. The music, sparse as it is, sets a good mood and changes its pace dependant on the on-screen action.

For the pure sit-down-and-play enjoyment, X-Squad is a good time waster. There are few attempts to vary the genre by adding the control of a Squad, but for the most part the game feels much like those in its genre on the original PlayStation. Above all, graphics seem to be the clear attraction in this title and probably the main reason it was released in the first batch of games. Fairly challenging and altogether a decent game, X-Squad should be given at least a try by PS2 owners before something much better comes along and buries it.

· · · Agent Smith