Inversion Game Review for PlayStation 3

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The action game Inversion features the revolutionary Gravlink weapon where players use gravity against invading enemies and destructible environments to save humanity.

The Hype

Don’t just defy gravity. Command it.

An exciting new third person shooter from NAMCO BANDAI Games America and Saber Interactive with vector-shifting gameplay that has players shooting from the sides of buildings and fragging opponents while upside-down. Developed by Saber Interactive, INVERSION puts players in the middle of an invasion by an unknown enemy utilizing advanced gravity-altering technology. Players must fight back against this mysterious new threat, take hold of their technology and command gravity to save the world.

In INVERSION, players take on the role of a young father and husband, Davis Russel, who finds himself thrust into war when his peaceful city is invaded by an unknown enemy. With his daughter missing and conventional weapons and tactics all but useless, this ordinary cop and his partner Leo Delgado will rise up to heed the call of duty, master the fundamental forces of gravity and save the world.

INVERSION combines strong third-person shooting and cover mechanics with powerful gravitational effects that make the battlefield a dynamically-shifting environment,” says Carlson Choi, Vice President of Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “Movable cover can be manipulated and destroyed, and vector shifts can move the entire map sidewise or upside-down, making every encounter unique and engaging. INVERSION throws the world of shooters on its head.”

With his daughter missing, Davis must work together with his partner Leo Delgado to take command of this advanced gravitational weaponry to save the world. In addition to the complete single-player campaign, INVERSION features a comprehensive set of multiplayer modes, including gravity-defying maps and modes for up to 12 players online, as well as a full 2-player cooperative mode.

The Reality

In this sci-fi, action third person shooter, players control police officer Davis Russel and his partner Leo Delgado face a mysterious enemy, the Lutadore, who wield gravity defying weapons and powers. Of course, multiple crises ensue (kidnappings, destruction, terror, and mayhem) until Davis and Leo turn the tables on his foes using these new weapons.

The traditional weapons are purposely basic…very basic, so players must get on the gravity gravy train to succeed at this game. The familiar assault rifle, shotgun. flamethrower. pulse rifle, pulse shotgun, rocket launcher, grenades, and sniper rifle get the job down to a certain extent.

The focus here is gravity power that thankfully presents more weight than an occasional gimmick amid the familiar weapons arsenal.

The common sense Gravlink lightens loads to strategic advantages in “low g” then pounds down the g forces with “high g” powers like a shockwave (pressing the L2 and R2 buttons together). Players must progress past the beginning stages to grab this coveted tool, which also requires selection before manipulating objects.

The Gravlink lets players create their own cover, take out multiple enemies with one object, or bring heavy objects down on baddies below. This great power brings great opportunities that require considerable player skill. Enemies can still shoot when in the Gravlink’s grip, so players can never sway the proceedings entirely in their favor.

These gravity powers entice players with the potential for even more variety and strategy that benefits special power seekers instead of the regular shoot ‘em up weapons users. Developers provide minimal hints in the form of blue or red flashing colors on key objects as players trek through this fictional world, named Vanguard, constantly scanning for objects in the environment to use. Sometimes enemy strength forces shortened searches, so players must often improvise.

Gravity powers requires great players skill then reward them with mobile cover, exploding barrels, shields, improvised bridges created for debris for accessing areas. Even more creative options would be nice too. Like cramming a barrel full of hand grenades then using the gravity to hurl the barrel in just the right spot for some major enemy disruption and entertaining destruction.

Enemies can literally get the jump on players with vector shifts where their movements and trajectory originates on several different planes in the game space. Tactical advantages abound in these scenarios with plenty of room for future game mechanic expansion, especially in problem solving.

The main campaign mode contains 14 specific sections for single play or cooperative play with an online partner. Partners require help when critically wounded, which adds some extra drama to the story as well as the challenge of completing revivals in time to avoid losing progress.

Players  sustain considerable challenges when encountering bosses, ruthless guards, eroding cover, and the large Lutadore who never really get a detailed background with the basic storyline, which contains many clichés. Survival amid tragedy is the obvious theme here while developers add a few plot twists amid many meaty cutscenes (press select button to skip them).

The multiplayer modes include co-op and competitive gameplay options. The graphics could use some enhancements, but the solid level designs reflect the formidable themes well. Multiplayer events can support as many as 12 players and include deathmatch, team deathmatch, hourglass (a team king of hill variation), assault, the highly challenging king of gravity, grav control (advantages from kill streaks), gravity slaughter (using grav powers), and survival (four players against constant enemy waves).

Also available on Xbox 360. Players can also try the companion The INVERSION Project app for iPhone and iPad.

Review: Inversion

Where to Buy: Amazon.com and other stores

Price: $59.99 (SRP)

What I Like:  special gravity powers, highly destructible objects and environments, cooperative and online gameplay options, ability to create your own cover from enemy fire

What Needs Improvement:  more original story elements with fewer clichés, closure on story points, more creative incorporation using basic weapons/physics and the special gravity powers

Source: Copy provided by publisher

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