“Even cops dial 911.” While that catchphrase may seem to be a quick marketing ploy, it accurately describes the function of SWAT, a squad of highly trained police officers. Dispatched to high pressure crisis situations and packing state of the art equipment, SWAT officers use tactics and maneuvers that rival that of the military as they go up against criminals. No stranger to the PC video game world, titles based on these specialists evolved from the 1987 Police Quest series into squad based tactical simulations. The predecessor of titles like Rainbow Six, Sierra’s SWAT titles highlighted the careful planning and execution needed to infiltrate, clear and secure an area full of hostile opponents. Now, almost twenty years later, the series makes a leap from PC to the Console arena with SWAT: Global Strike Team for the PS2 and Xbox. Global Strike is set amidst a world embroiled in anarchy. Rampant crime and terrorism has skyrocketed, resulting in widescale chaos on a global scale. I’m not talking about current circumstances of today; instead, Global Strike is placed into the near future. To deal with the rising trouble within the world, an international SWAT team is organized to combat threats to peace anywhere it can be found. The three level demo that we had initially started with a bank robbery in Los Angeles, but also extended to other places in the world such as missile sites in Russia and drug labs in London. In all, over fifteen levels in different regions of the world will be provided in the final version. Unlike previous games in the SWAT series, Global Strike focuses more on first-person action dynamics than tactical strategies. To that end, briefings provide a general sense of the area and the main objectives that must be carried out for successful completion of a mission. Aside from eliminating potential hostiles in an area, you’re often tasked with retrieving evidence, securing witnesses for interrogation, or rescuing innocent hostages. From there, you’re taken to an equipment screen, where you’ll choose from lethal and non-lethal weaponry as well as equipment or accessories like flash bang or EMP grenades. The lethal option is rather familiar to most first person shooter fans, such as assault rifles and shotguns, but non-lethal weaponry is an option that should be investigated. As police officers, unauthorized force is not only frowned upon, but it can cause players to fail their missions completely, especially if there is no immediate threat posed to you or your team. Your team is a major factor in gameplay, as they will not only cover you throughout every level, but will also be able to perform some tasks that you cannot. For example, there are some doors or gates that are electronically sealed, requiring a bypass code or a key. The electronic specialists on your team can hack these terminals, allowing you and your team to continue along their mission. As the team leader, you are tasked with issuing all the commands to your squadmates, which can be done through either manual control or via a USB headset (a la SOCOM). Not only is this option highly responsive, it provides a greater sense of immersion in the onscreen combat. The only odd part with the headset is that it can lead to some unintentional hilarity. For example, as I moved through a level, a street punk yelled at me as I arrested him. Cocking my head, I said aloud, “What’d you say, punk?” Unexpectedly, my teammate echoed, “Copy that,” almost immediately, which forced me to pause the game as I fell over in laughter. Aural misadventures aside, many of the phrases and sound clips used in the game provides just the right sense of the onscreen action, although the more colorful language may offend those with delicate ears. Bolstered with solid, highly detailed 3D models, ragdoll engines and realistic physics, SWAT Global Strike looks like it will be a runaway hit when it storms systems later this year. Check back for a full review soon! Questions or comments about the upcoming release of SWAT: Global Strike Team for the PS2 and Xbox? Talk to us! [ E-Mail Jeff 'Linkphreak' Haynes ] [ Comment in our Forums ]

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