Most people think that they’re pretty strong willed. You know, they have no hesitation disagreeing with things they hate or making decisions that they feel are in their best interests. In fact, some of these people feel comfortable making other people’s choices for them, trying to use their intellect to think for their friends and family. Well, what if these people had to go up against actual mind readers, or soldiers who could control people or objects with brainpower alone? Midway’s latest title, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy throws players into this futuristic mental conflict where your mind is more powerful than any weapon. Players step into the boots of Nick Scryer, an elite Psionic operative or Psi-Op. A soldier for the Mindgate corporation, Scryer isn’t without some kind of complex past: he’s gone through extensive facial reconstruction and had his memory completely wiped away. However, his attending physician believes that he is more than capable of taking on any threat he’s sent against. Not a moment too soon, according to a general overseeing his vital signs. Seems like a mentally adept army known as the Movement is preparing to launch an attack to take over the world, and Nick is being deployed behind enemy lines to take out their most powerful leaders. The demo we had unlocked all of Nick’s powers for our use and abuse against his opponents, but it alluded to the fact that each skill will have to be unlocked from his erased mind as he fights against the Movement. Telekinesis allows Scryer to move objects or items wherever he wants. This also lets him throw enemies around like rag dolls or “surf” around by standing on something and levitating it across surfaces. Pyrokinesis lets Nick hurl a wall of flame at items or guards. Remote viewing allows him to get a sneak peek of other areas; in effect, a psychic spy camera. Nick can also use mind control to take possession of enemies and turn them against their friends. All of these powers use psi energy points; however, Mind Drain lets him recover some juice from live or dead foes. On top of those skills, Nick is dangerous at hand-to-hand combat and has a number of firearms, including silenced pistols and sniper rifles. There were only two levels within the demo, but it was enough to get a sense of what kind of gameplay might be found in the finished title. The first mission found Nick unconsciously imprisoned within a secret facility. As he snapped awake, he discovered the door to his cell open and his weapons still in his possession. Trying to cover his escape and throw the facility in disarray, Nick needed to fight his way through a few guards to get to some power generators that he has to turn off. This essentially served as a basic tutorial mission that demonstrated the controls of the game during an actual mission. The next level was a bit more puzzle oriented, immediately ordering Nick to infiltrate a base whose entry bridge had been destroyed by an explosion. Nick could try to cross the gap himself with judicious jumping, “surf” himself across the crevasse, or figure out another way to succeed. The numerous ways of progressing through a level, along with the ability to combo attacks and powers easily should prove highly entertaining when the game ships. For example, it’s easy to ignite a gas tank, then hurl it towards a group of enemies and set them aflame, ending with grabbing them and throwing their bodies over a cliff. Psi-Ops looks beautiful from top to bottom. The effects from Nick’s psionic effects do have a nice supernatural effect when triggered, and while the powers will be unlocked throughout play, combining powers to torture your opponents looks great. Add in some impressive rag doll physics thanks to the Havok engine featured for the game, and you can really batter your enemies. Add to this a pounding soundtrack by the rock group Cold, and you’ve got a unique twist on the action genre. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy should be mentally controlling consoles a little later this year, so check back soon for a full review! Questions or comments about the upcoming release of Psi-Ops for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox? Talk to us! [ E-Mail Jeff 'Linkphreak' Haynes ] [ Comment in our Forums ]

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