Shooter

Blending ground-based shooting with outer space combat, Bounty Hunter is a sci-fi adventure starring an ex-soldier named Mace Griffin. After being framed and imprisoned for the murder of his brothers-in-arms, Griffin returns to society as a bounty hunter who has vowed to track down those responsible. As he explores the far reaches of space searching for information, Griffin will make contact with an assortment of human and alien characters, both friend and foe.

Bounty Hunter's hybrid gameplay offers a series of 13 missions to further the story as well as add to the main character's notoriety and personal wealth. Cash received from successful missions can be used to upgrade firearms and ship weapons at specific shops. While the majority of action is played from a first-person viewpoint on the ground, the act of traveling to and from destinations is accomplished via spaceship. Hostile encounters with creatures in space may also affect relations with that particular race on the surface.

As the main character gains renown across the galaxy, players will be able to unravel more of the story and embark on specific missions designed to further the main plot. To help immerse players into the game, U.K. developer Warthog designed a special engine (TUSK) that allows for complete movement in and out of the spaceship without the use of cut-scenes or transition sequences. In-game environments include space stations, battle cruisers, and various planetary surfaces as players move one step closer to solving the conspiracy. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Over four years in the making, the highly anticipated Max Payne adds a new aspect of stylistic storytelling to the action-based 3D shooter. The game was developed solely as a single-player adventure and the designers at Finland's Remedy Entertainment focused on creating an experience that would make players care at least as much about the main character as they would about finish times or frag counts. Tried and true devices of pulp fiction and film noir are employed in this computer game, drawing the player into the dark story through gripping motivations of revenge and self-preservation.

Technically, Max Payne offers its own brand of state-of-the-art graphics and sound. Detailed, high-resolution environments are deformable, as walls become riddled with bullet holes of various sizes and shreds of paper, plastic, plaster, and tile fall to the ground, each in their own distinctly realistic manners. Admittedly inspired by the cinematic works of John Woo and Sam Peckinpah, the game applies stylistic techniques borrowed from action films as well, not only to add to the mood of the story but also to enhance gameplay. The title's signature "bullet time" gunfights can be played out in slow motion to provide a familiar dramatic effect and also to allow the player a chance to better situate himself and pick out prime targets in the chaos of flying lead.

While the storyline still determines the events that need to happen in each mission and level, the Max Payne is designed to allow the player to decide exactly how goals are accomplished. While the game must adhere to the linear nature of a plot-driven experience, it strives to also allow an engaging sense of freedom and control through expansive level design. Large, seamless areas are intended to offer the player a sense of new space to conquer as he sees fit, whether methodically sneaking about to avoid detection or running quickly and violently through a swarm of enemies with both guns blazing. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Belgian author Jeanne Van Hamme's graphic novel XIII comes to life on next-generation platforms as a first-person shooter featuring cel-shaded graphics and an engine based on Epic Games' award-winning Unreal technology. Playing the role of an ex-secret agent who has lost his memory, players must piece together the clues to his dark past before it's too late. The game follows a similar format to the graphic novel from which it is based, as much of the story is told through a series of flashbacks. Multiplayer support is available via split screen. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 continues the squad-based shooter series with 15 new single-player missions, nine multiplayer maps, and over 30 weapons. Instead of porting the PC's Raven Shield, Ubi Soft opted to create an original release designed specifically for consoles. Players control Team RAINBOW's Ding Chavez throughout the entire solo campaign, commanding fellow agents Louis Loiselle, Dieter Weber, and Eddie Price. The GameCube's Rainbow Six 3 does away with the planning phase found in the PC version of the game, but the 3D engine still uses Epic Games Inc.'s Unreal technology for dynamic lighting effects and "soft body" physics. All levels in the single-player campaign can be played cooperatively with a friend in split-screen mode. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Sony's Syphon Filter series of counter-terrorist action games continues on PlayStation 2 with an outbreak of the Omega Strain. Instead of guiding Gabe Logan, the star of the previous two titles, players create their own agent from scratch in order to stop a new strain of the original's deadly virus from seeping its way across the globe. Nearly every facet of characters can be customized, from their physical appearance to the uniform and equipment used to carry out the various objectives required of them. A total of 17 free-roaming levels are set in locales ranging from Toronto and Belarus to Brazil and Uganda, each offering multiple ways to complete missions and spanning more than three times the size of previous levels in the Syphon Filter universe.

More than 100 different weapons and gadgets are available to neutralize the terrorist threat, including the ability to fire two pistols at once, though only four can be carried at one time. New equipment becomes accessible as players earn experience during the game, with a military ranking assigned to characters allowing them to acquire additional techniques or proficiency in various skills. As in previous games, the action takes place from a third-person perspective set behind the agent, allowing players to crouch, kneel, run, throw, and jump -- all while targets are locked into sight. New to the series is the ability to isolate specific body parts, such as a leg or arm, to quickly immobilize threats without necessarily killing them.

Syphon Filter: Omega Strain also features online multiplayer support for the first time. Up to four players can embark on missions cooperatively in each of the game's 17 solo missions, which contain exclusive new areas for multiplayer action in the form of special time-based scenarios. The game additionally supports USB-compatible headsets to communicate with other agents, offering squad-based strategy options during the game as well as simplifying the process of issuing commands. To help players navigate the different 3D environments, situational updates will occur during the course of a mission and a transparent map is designed to show the whereabouts of each member in the squad. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

kill.switch is a third-person shooter that takes place amidst war-torn Middle Eastern cities, underground submarine bases, and other places. Cast in the role of an elite commando, players must carefully take out enemy snipers and guards while seeking cover behind walls, barriers, or other objects found within the environment. While the character ducks behind an object or presses against a wall, players can perform a technique called blindfire, which involves spraying bullets toward the general direction of an enemy without directly aiming at a target. The benefit to this procedure is the character will avoid damage from counter fire, since he remains out of sight behind an obstacle while firing the weapon. Players must carefully plan their attacks in order to beat the overwhelming odds stacked against their success. Enemies will work together in teams to flush out players from their hiding spots and coordinate attacks, making each encounter a potentially deadly one. kill.switch's tour of duty is composed of six missions spanning 18 distinct levels. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Unreal II: The Awakening offers gamers a new story that takes place in the universe introduced in the hugely successful original Unreal. Though the multiplayer-based Unreal Tournament enhanced the original game with fast action and customizable multiplayer gameplay, Unreal II is a full-fledged sequel to the popular 1998 first-person shooter, complete with diverse new single-player missions and a storyline that ties them all together. While the original Unreal put the player in the role of a convicted criminal, gamers play the part of a law enforcement agent in this story.

As a Terran Colonial Authority Frontier Marshal in charge of the aging Atlantis starship, the player represents the very long arm of the law as the only enforcement officer in a distant sector of space. Patrols seem routine and uneventful, until war breaks out unexpectedly in the area and the ship and its crew suddenly find themselves in the middle of a violent and dangerous conflict. While the player's first responsibility must be the protection of the frontier citizens in the area, determining the cause of this sudden war could make that job a lot easier.

Missions take place in ten different environments, with settings that range from a jungle planet thick with strange vegetation and dangerous creatures to an arid desert world spotted with the ancient ruins of forgotten civilizations. Missions vary from tactical hostage rescues and organized base defense to more conventional one-person search-and-destroy operations. The game is designed so that the storytelling elements will not interfere with the player's immersion in the game world. Before each assignment, the player is briefed aboard the orbiting Atlantis. When objectives are completed, the player returns to the ship and the story advances based on new developments. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Invoking the name of Rare's 1997 first-person shooter for N64 -- easily its most highly acclaimed James Bond game predecessor -- 2004's GoldenEye: Rogue Agent is an original super spy adventure experienced from a different point of view. Developed by Electronic Art's Los Angeles studios, the game has players taking the role of an MI6 agent working toward elite "00" license-to-kill status, who is dismissed for "reckless brutality." Seizing the opportunity to bring such a highly skilled and well-trained operative into his own organization, infamous Bond supervillian Auric Goldfinger welcomes the player's disenfranchised agent into his ranks.

Like its N64 forebear, the 128-bit version of GoldenEye is a first-person shooter with lots of opportunity for multiplayer action. Standard deathmatches and domination games are supported, as well as a "Tug of War" game that has teams competing to move a bomb across the map by flipping a series of switches. Four-player split-screen play is offered, and properly equipped PlayStation 2 and Xbox gamers can go online to find competitive multiplayer games for up to eight. Also like the original, Rogue Agent features a full single-player campaign as well.

Though playing as the "bad guy" in GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, gamers may find that their opponents are often other evil minions from rival underworld operations. As the game begins, Goldfinger is in a struggle with the nefarious Dr. No for control of the world's most powerful criminal organization. The game is officially licensed by MGM (which holds the rights to the franchise), so players can expect to meet other famous (and infamous) characters from the James Bond universe, such as Oddjob, Pussy Galore, Scaramanga, and Xenia Onatopp, as they make their way through this adventure. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Sony’s answer to Konami’s Metal Gear Solid series makes its first appearance on PSP with Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror. Agent Gabe Logan returns for a black ops campaign that involves retrieving a powerful weapon known as the "Dark Mirror" from an opportunistic terrorist organization. To accomplish his objectives, Logan will journey around the world to infiltrate an assortment of outdoor and indoor bases from a third-person perspective. Notable gadgets include a special dart-equipped rifle and vision enhancement goggles, but Logan is always free to engage in melee combat with either a knife or his fists. Players will be able to advance through 23 missions in the solo campaign or challenge friends online on a choice of five specially designed multiplayer maps. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Loosely based on the feature film sequel Bad Boys II, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, Bad Boys: Miami Takedown is an uncomplicated third-person shooter that puts players in control of Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, who are out to shut down drug cartels in Miami. Bad guys are found in warehouses, back alleys, and other urban, Florida locations. A "cover" feature allows characters to duck behind certain objects for protection in a gun fight, and then lean around the corner for fire back from a position or relative safety. Bad Boys: Miami Takedown follows its own storyline based on the movie characters, but doesn't not feature the voices of Smith or Lawrence. Developed at the U.K.'s Blitz Studios, the game was previously released in Europe as Bad Boys II, concurrently with the film's theatrical debut. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Coded Arms is a first-person shooter that has players battling their way through a variety of surreal environments. Players take the role of a computer programmer who has infiltrated a forgotten program, and the action takes place in this program's "virtual reality" levels. Perseverant players can eventually collect over 30 different types of weapons. Multiplayer modes are supported through the PSP's wireless networking capabilities. ~ All Game Guide

Intended exclusively for mature players, this unapologetically violent game features the monetarily monikered rapper in its starring role, as a streetwise tough seeking revenge against a mysterious gang of thugs that filled him with lead and left him for dead. The hero can gain access to a variety of firearms and other weapons, and can learn more than 25 deadly reversal moves. In the third-person shooter style of the popular 128-bit generation Grand Theft Auto games, players follow a series of missions that lead them through the game's storyline.

Bulletproof features previously unreleased music and video by 50 Cent, and the game allows players to set up their own music and video play lists of this included material. The voices and likenesses of other famous musicians portray supporting characters, including Lloyd Banks (lock pick), Tony Yayo (demolitions expert), and Young Buck (weapon specialist) as members of 50's G-Unit posse, Eminem as the "shady" Detective McVicar, and rap music luminary Dr. Dre as the wizened back-alley arms dealer Grizz. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide