Game Card
SWAT: Target Liberty (PSP)
- Publisher:
- Sierra Entertainment
- Developer:
- 3G Studios
- US Release:
- Q4, 2007
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Type:
- Action
- Reality Factor:
- Realistic
- Perspective:
- Third-Person
- Extra:
- Tactical
- Age:
- Modern Times
Review
We play SWAT: Target Liberty...
While the SWAT series has been providing plenty of first-person squad-controlling action to PC gamers for many a year, this is the first time it's appeared on the PSP. For the transition, a couple of sacrifices have been made. Target Liberty, which is the game's suitably patriotic subtitle, is now a third-person adventure, and it's not the game it once was – long and involving requiring complex tactics to succeed. Hand held gaming, according to Sierra, breeds stupidity.
The plot is typical action move fare, and disappointing given that it was scripted by The Shield writer Scott Rosenbaum. You begin by wading into a battle between two rival Asian gangs – cue plenty of stereotypes and dodgy accents – arguing over money, bragging rights and that age-old cue for gang warfare, respect. Soon after, though, you and your small squad become embroiled in a nuclear plot involving Al Qaeda blaming the blast on the North Korean government and, in an odd twist that makes 24 look realistic, are the only man in the world who can stop global war.
This is manifested, in-game, through typically SWAT-like situations: infiltrate a subway station to clear out feuding gang members, eliminate the threat in a hostage situation and generally fulfil the number one SWAT goal: restore order from chaos. There's a quartet of experienced hands available, of which you pick two to accompany you on missions, depending on which of their unique skills is best suited to your tasks. Gramps, for instance, is an expert observer, whereas another team member is a better interrogator, sharp shooter or intimidator. It's a shame that these specialist skills and abilities don't really make themselves known in the game, though, as most levels are far too formulaic.
You begin in a typically deserted area – the fighting will have cleared most civilians off, you see – before slowly walking towards anywhere that looks vaguely interesting. You see a person, friend or foe, and shout at them to stop and put their hands up. So they either will, in which case you can use your right shoulder button to instruct a team member to cuff them, or they'll open fire – so you take them down, interrogate them, and move on. There's the odd bit of artwork to collect, but mostly you'll be parading through levels taking people down.
This action is broken up by occasionally having to tell your team to open a door – by lockpicking or a hefty kick or two, if necessary – and clear out all inside. The option is there to gas or grenade anyone within, or check under the door with a mirror, but you rarely need them: throughout, the AI of your companions is sufficiently well coded to make these options worthless, as they'll quickly eliminate any threat. They'll also guard you in most situations, taking out enemies before they have a chance to inflict serious damage on you.
The relatively easy gameplay is matched by simplified controls that befit the PSP's small stature. The right analogue stick, when partnered with the shape buttons, controls your team members, and the left stick controls your own targetting. When not highlighting another player, the face and directional buttons control your actions, and the analogue stick aids movement. The arcade atmosphere that Target Liberty tries to create – you're an all-American hero and the only person who can sort out the crazy foreigners – is severely hampered by the speed of the game. Walking is painfully slow, almost like slow-motion, and pressing circle to 'run' barely increases your speed at all. Bullets fizz through the air with all the vivacity of flat Coke, and all this combines to make a game that, rather than providing thrill-a-minute squad management and tactical shooting, seems more of a plodding slog.
It's not bad if you're a fan of tactical shooters: those elements will appeal to you, and the slow pace will appeal to the more cerebral of gamers. It's decent looking, too, with the environments pretty and lavishly detailed. The gameplay, though, is repetitive and the slow pace of Target Liberty, coupled with stage after stage of samey situations, will only see you becoming very bored very quickly. Certainly look into it if you have a SWAT fetish, or a thing for tactical shooters, but steer clear if you're expecting action and gung-ho gunfights.
Top Game Moment: Sneaking into a heavily fortified base and using clever squad control to clear it out, without losing any civilians. That's a promotion for you, soldier.
The plot is typical action move fare, and disappointing given that it was scripted by The Shield writer Scott Rosenbaum. You begin by wading into a battle between two rival Asian gangs – cue plenty of stereotypes and dodgy accents – arguing over money, bragging rights and that age-old cue for gang warfare, respect. Soon after, though, you and your small squad become embroiled in a nuclear plot involving Al Qaeda blaming the blast on the North Korean government and, in an odd twist that makes 24 look realistic, are the only man in the world who can stop global war.
 |
 |
|
| Line them up without harming them for more info and a better grade. |
Carpacks are dangerous places, ya know. |
This is manifested, in-game, through typically SWAT-like situations: infiltrate a subway station to clear out feuding gang members, eliminate the threat in a hostage situation and generally fulfil the number one SWAT goal: restore order from chaos. There's a quartet of experienced hands available, of which you pick two to accompany you on missions, depending on which of their unique skills is best suited to your tasks. Gramps, for instance, is an expert observer, whereas another team member is a better interrogator, sharp shooter or intimidator. It's a shame that these specialist skills and abilities don't really make themselves known in the game, though, as most levels are far too formulaic.
You begin in a typically deserted area – the fighting will have cleared most civilians off, you see – before slowly walking towards anywhere that looks vaguely interesting. You see a person, friend or foe, and shout at them to stop and put their hands up. So they either will, in which case you can use your right shoulder button to instruct a team member to cuff them, or they'll open fire – so you take them down, interrogate them, and move on. There's the odd bit of artwork to collect, but mostly you'll be parading through levels taking people down.
 |
 |
|
| So are libraries when you're in a SWAT team. |
Grey and dingy. There's a lot of grey in Target Liberty. |
This action is broken up by occasionally having to tell your team to open a door – by lockpicking or a hefty kick or two, if necessary – and clear out all inside. The option is there to gas or grenade anyone within, or check under the door with a mirror, but you rarely need them: throughout, the AI of your companions is sufficiently well coded to make these options worthless, as they'll quickly eliminate any threat. They'll also guard you in most situations, taking out enemies before they have a chance to inflict serious damage on you.
The relatively easy gameplay is matched by simplified controls that befit the PSP's small stature. The right analogue stick, when partnered with the shape buttons, controls your team members, and the left stick controls your own targetting. When not highlighting another player, the face and directional buttons control your actions, and the analogue stick aids movement. The arcade atmosphere that Target Liberty tries to create – you're an all-American hero and the only person who can sort out the crazy foreigners – is severely hampered by the speed of the game. Walking is painfully slow, almost like slow-motion, and pressing circle to 'run' barely increases your speed at all. Bullets fizz through the air with all the vivacity of flat Coke, and all this combines to make a game that, rather than providing thrill-a-minute squad management and tactical shooting, seems more of a plodding slog.
 |
 |
|
| Even innocent civilians have to get on their knees. Ahem. |
The subway station is your first port of call. |
It's not bad if you're a fan of tactical shooters: those elements will appeal to you, and the slow pace will appeal to the more cerebral of gamers. It's decent looking, too, with the environments pretty and lavishly detailed. The gameplay, though, is repetitive and the slow pace of Target Liberty, coupled with stage after stage of samey situations, will only see you becoming very bored very quickly. Certainly look into it if you have a SWAT fetish, or a thing for tactical shooters, but steer clear if you're expecting action and gung-ho gunfights.
Top Game Moment: Sneaking into a heavily fortified base and using clever squad control to clear it out, without losing any civilians. That's a promotion for you, soldier.
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Trailer #2
Posted 27.07.07
Length 02:39 Views 697
