Please login to submit a screenshot

"Alias should have just stuck a TV series."

Alias

In the past, there have been many attempts at TV-based games. For the most part, they’ve been pretty...well...bad. Can this game overcome past TV-to-game attempts, or is it doomed to the same fate as the others. Find out in my review of Alias.

A game being based on a TV show generally gives gamers the impression of the game being horrible. This time, the TV show that has been turned into a game is Alias. Alias is a hit ABC TV series about a woman working for the CSI, often taking on different personalities. Sort of a double agent, if you will. With it’s high ratings, it was only a matter of time until a video game adaptation would be made.

Story
Fans of Alias will find its plot very similar to the show. However, if you’ve never seen the show before, then you’ll be greatly confused when playing this game. You’ll probably be scratching your head, asking yourself “What in the Hell is a Rambaldi artifact?” Although, if you watch the show, then you’ll find yourself right at home. The game features very nice character models for the cast members and the game even sports the real actors from the show voicing their own character. You take control of Sydney Bristow, the main character of Alias. Many of the supporting characters from the show appear in Alias, such as Marcus Dixon, Michael Vaughn, Marshall Flinkman, and more. Even several of the antagonists appear in the Alias game, including Mr. Spark, Anna Espinosa, and Arvin Sloane.

Gameplay
Alias is part action-adventure and part stealth, a combination of genres mixed many times before. The adventure part has you wandering around the area, often completing an objective. Pretty standard for an adventure game. The main sections of Alias are stealth based. You may think that since it focuses mainly on stealth, that it would be a good stealth game. Well, sadly, this game is merely a simplistic stealth game filled with decent A.I. enemies. The game also tells you how to get through your obstacles every step of the way. The game points you in the right direction and tells you what to do multiple times throughout the game, making the game overly simplistic. Also, the clunky controls and awkward camera cause the game to become a chore at times. While the controls are manageable, there are times when you’ll find it difficult to perform even some of the simplest of moves, such as putting your back against the wall. Splinter Cell, this is not.

Occasionally, the game uses a unique cinematic split-screen view, showing you when a enemy or guard is doing something. This alerts you of incoming danger. Much like other spy games, you are equipped with a variety of gadgets. Each level varies in which devices you have depending on what the mission calls for. However, you are usually told when and what gadgets you need to use when you do, so you really never have to experiment. While there are a variety of firearms you can use to slay your foes, you’re often forced to use hand-to-hand combat. Fighting consists of pressing either A or X. Pressing them multiple times results in executing combos. The fighting, however, feels very clunky. By pressing B next to certain objects, you can grab and use assorted items as objects, such as pots, pans, wine bottles, and many other things. You pretty much need to use weapons in order to knock out your enemies, because hand-to-hand takes forever, especially if you’re ganged up on. However, you’re never really presented with any challenge in this game. This is mainly thanks to the dim-witted A.I. There were times that I was standing in a light room, with a guard facing right towards me, and he didn’t even notice me. I guess villains will hire anybody these days. Even when holding high-powered weaponry, they seem to hesitate to attack you. And, for some strange reason, Sydney seems to have the ability to regenerate her health, Wolverine style. Alias has moments when you need to hack computers, but since the hacking is a simple bout of “process of elimination,” it proves practically no challenge.

Graphics
At first glance, the graphics in the game look very nice. The character models and detail found in the beginning cutscene are remarkably life-like, as each of the characters resemble the ones found in the show, although they don’t perfectly resemble their TV counterparts. However, once you get into the game, it begins to look more average. Sydney and the other main characters have the best looking character models in Alias. The other characters and enemies in it don’t look anything spectacular. The textures found throughout the levels aren’t breathtaking either.

Music and Sound
The game does have almost every character from the show doing their character’s voice acting, so that's a big plus. There is one thing you’ll notice during the talking segments in-game. When talking, the character’s mouth doesn’t move. On top of that, you’ll find little variation in the guards dialog. During the missions, you’re accompanied by normal Alias theme music that you’d find in the show. You’ll find a few licensed songs playing during some of the brawling scenes, so you get some variation there.

Final Thoughts
Alias is just another poorly made game, riding on the fanbase of the TV series. I really can’t recommend Alias to anyone other then big fans of the show, but even then, I’d be weary of a purchase. If you really want the opportunity to play as the Alias cast yourself, then be my guest and get the game. Don’t come crying to me when you’re disappointed with it. Just keep it at a rental at best.

Final Score: 5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 05/02/04