Psi-Ops is set in a near-future environment dominated by technology and order. Players take on the role of Nick Scryer, an elite American Psi-Operative soldier who must combat The Movement, a fierce terrorist organization set to overthrow world order. Scryer must fight a deadly horde of brainwashed super soldiers by using his Psionic powers including - Telekinesis (lift and throw people and items using mental powers), Pyrokinesis (throw walls of fire), Mind Control (take control of another character's body) and many more. The only way for Scryer to stop The Movement and its Psi agents is to use his psionic powers and beat them at their own "mind game."
In all, Psi-Ops features seven “powers” which players can possess which help them to get through the game, these include:
- Psi Powers - The first and only action/stealth game to integrate weapons combat with extensive and unique Psi mind powers including:
- Telekinesis - The ability to lift people and objects and hold, move or throw them in any direction.
- Pyrokinesis - The ability to launch a wall of fire that ignites everything in its path.
- Mind Control - The ability to take control of enemy bodies.
- Remote Viewing - The ability to go "out-of-body" to see through doors to plan your "attack" and/or get information you would not be able to get in physical form.
- Mind Drain - The ability to drain Psi power from enemies, which results in death to the victim.
- Aura View - The ability to "see" elements that are not visible in the real world.
Thankfully though, these powers aren’t just gimmicks. To complete the game, players will need to use all of these powers to their full advantage. Boxes, chairs and tables can all be lifted up and thrown anywhere around the room.
The demo we went “hands-on” with today was relatively short-lived but left us very excited about the final game. The demo consisted of a training level that gave us full power and let us practice all the moves. The two most prominent powers throughout the game appear to be the Pyrokinesis (fire) and Telekinesis (moving objects), though for those who like to play their games a little more conventionally, Nick Scryer is also given a gun for when he runs out of Psi power.
The game opens up with a cut-scene which features flashbacks of Nick’s past, providing a backstory for players. Players first take control of Nick when he wakes up in a cell. From here the player needs to navigate through the level and escape. Psi-Ops plays brilliantly, the frame-rate is smooth and the graphics help set the sombre feel of the game. The Telekinesis and Pyrokinesis parts of the level don’t feel tacked on or cheap, but part of the game.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get an opportunity to see much more of the game but after playing the short demo we are looking forward to experiencing the full game when it hits shelves on September 18th, 2004 for PlayStation 2. Expect a review from PALGN soon.
If you wish to read more information on Psi-Ops then navigate here, where Gamehead have an exclusive interview.
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