Alias Screenshots   The Final Say! Gameplay 8.0 Graphics 8.0 Sound 8.5 Value 7.9 Alias - reviewed by Andrew B  Review Date: April 2004 Review Score 8.0/10  Distributed By: Acclaim

Alias is the latest action blockbuster from publisher Acclaim that is based on the popular television series of the same name that stars the sexy Jennifer Garner as agent Sydney Bristow. Combining elements of games such as Metal Gear Solid II, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and just recently Mission Impossible, Alias allows gamers to take the role of agent Sydney Bristow in a story that is befitting of the television series. Although there are a variety of mini-missions laced throughout the game, your main mission is to search and hunt down a rogue agent who is planning on creating a deadly weapon that will threaten the very fabric of world peace. The beauty of the story is that it was actually written by the shows creators and writers, so this game is as official as it gets. The game also spans across a variety of different locales (just as the television series) that includes places as diverse as Saudi Arabia to more western areas such as Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro. Although your mission may sound simple, it's far from simple as you must track down missing a agent and also watch your back from your nemesis Anna Espinosa plus you have to save the world yet again. The gameplay of Alias reminded me quite a bit of games such as Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell or more recently, Mission Impossible where you must control Sydney Bristow in a 3D environment and engage in a variety of missions. Although the main aspect of gameplay is sneaking around, you also have to engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat and also solve a variety of puzzles from simple to difficult. The control system of the game is relatively straight forward with the left analog stick used to control your character and the right stick used to manipulate the camera angles. The remaining buttons are used to enable stealth, perform various attack manoeuvres, duck, block and of course a use button to open doors or use objects in the gaming environment. Sydney can also perform a variety of manoeuvres that include hanging over ledges,  crawling through air vents and a variety of other "spy" like activities. As per usual, Sydney also has access to a variety of disguises such as the extremely sexy waitress outfit in the first level or her Lara Croft impersonation as a museum curator.  Your character can also use a variety of equipment (lock picks, remote modems) to assist her on her missions but the most important part of the game is her stealth metre that allows her to sneak pass her enemies without being spotted, as per usual, green means that she is safe and red means that she is in danger.

Probably the most entertaining aspect of the game is the combat and nothing is more enjoyable than seeing girl power in work as Sydney kicks butt in a variety of different locations and of course... outfits.  Sydney also has a variety of manoeuvres on her resume of martial arts that range from kicks, holds, punches and counter-attacks. Another impressive feature of Alias is that Sydney can also use a variety of weapons, whether carried by Sydney herself or found within the gaming environment like metal polls etc.

Graphically, Alias is a very impressive looking game on the PlayStation 2 and although not up to the same standard as Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, it still looks rather impressive on this console, especially the main character herself who resembles Jennifer Garner quite a bit. All the characters in the game contain a high amount of polygons with some great texture details but as per usual, the main character was the love of the programmers and she moves quite realistically in the gaming world and one cannot help but be impressed by the various outfits that she wears. The only downside to the graphics engine are the lacklustre level designs that look like a game from about two years ago, they are not bad but they are nothing spectacular either. Fortunately the game runs at a very smooth frame rate with a few special effects and lighting effects thrown in here and there for that added touch.

The voice acting of Alias is amazing and actually stars the actors from the television series that includes Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, Michael Vartan as Michael Vaughn and Victor Garber as Jack Bristow to name a few of the actors who grace this entertaining title.  The musical score of the game is also taken directly from the television series and if you enjoyed the show, you will definitely enjoy the game because it really helps immerse you into the gaming environment.  The game also features the usual stock standard sound effects of people engaging other people in combat and the sounds of guns, alarms and a variety of background ambience sounds.

In conclusion, Alias is an entertaining game but one does get the feeling that it is a little dated. The game does contain a very interesting storyline with some nice graphics that people who enjoy "spy" games will probably get a kick or two out of this title but if you want something a little more modern, than you may need to look elsewhere. It's still worth a look though!

- Andrew B