Mission: Impossible

How many Mission: Impossible reviews have to end with that? I know it’s presence wraps everything up nice and cute like, but it’s a little milked already. I promise not to do that. Anyhoo, Mission: Impossible has been released, and has actually already been reviewed by a visitor on this site, so please check it out under visitor reviews. I have been a bit tardy on the old reviews lately thanks to being drunk now for about 54 days straight. Ah, what are you gonna do, eh? Hey I’m kidding. So where was I....oh yes the review.

Thanks to the extremely handy game descriptions on this site, I no longer have to waste valuable time explaining the game story, I can just get to the nitty gritty. Mission: Impossible is actually a likable game. Hard yes, but likable. You play Ethan Hunt the IMF super agent from a third person perspective most of the time (ala Tomb Raider) or from a first person perspective when you need to take good aim.

Mission: Impossible is going to draw comparisons to Goldeneye and rightfully so. The graphics are very similar although not as polished as Goldeneye. That’s not to say they are bad by any means, just not as crisp. The gameplay in M:I is based on completing level objectives which vary depending on the skill level you choose: Possible or Impossible. If you choose Possible you will have less to complete during each level. The success of the missions of each level are based on stealth rather than shoot as many people as you can. Completion of the levels take some thought and skill, which I found a nice change from the regular shoot-em up type gameplay. If you pull your weapon at the wrong time in M:I, you’ll be caught and thus, fail the mission. Missions run the gamut but involve a lot of the ‘find the explosives, meet your partner, blow up something, make your escape" sort of gameplay that is quite interesting.

Fulfilling the objectives in M:I is sometimes hard enough, but when faced with one wrong move and the mission is OVER, it can get a little frustrating. I think the developers were going for a higher difficulty level. I mean, people would be bitching and moaning if it was too easy. So this game is HARD, so what? Get into the reality of the game. If you blow it, you blow it. Geez, I guess being an IMF agent was harder than I thought. Damn right it’s hard. You are supposed to be one of the best agents in the world, so get over it you baby. I loved the fact that if Sarah Davies (one of Ethan’s comrades) hands you over the facemaker while a guard is in the lobby, you get caught, and the mission is over. That’s good game reality! I dare say brilliant.

How many games allow you to be a waiter (in disguise) at a dinner party? I don’t want to give too much away, but that level (early in the game too) was wonderful. Brains and the power of communication (and a fist or two) were the way to complete your objectives. Yet, on a down side, the next level has you shooting crates that explode, while you look for the exit. Unfortunately, not every level is a classic, but there are some nice shining moments.

There are gadgets and weapons galore in this game, most of which are right out of the movie. You’ll be hunting for everything from explosives to musical scores and everything has a definite purpose. You’ll be changing your identity with the facemaker so you may walk among the enemy unnoticed. You’ll be giving out poison drinks just so that you can assault the poor bastard while he’s in the john. Not bad for a night’s fun.

Controlling Ethan takes some getting used to. His jumps are awkward and weak. Shooting while playing in the third person is incredible useless. You pretty much have to use the first person perspective, which allows you to zoom in on the enemy. The aiming feature while in sniper mode is tight but slow, and nowhere near as touchy as Goldeneye. Selecting your weapons or items I found very awkward at first, but eventually it became second nature (well, maybe just third nature). Using your fists comes in handy especially in one on one encounters and saves on your very limited supply of ammo. Again, this game is tough. There isn’t a ton of ammo out there, so use your noggin. Avoid confrontation at all costs. Remember you are a spy, not Rambo.

Mission: Impossible is a little rough around the edges, but it does offer up some new gameplay, that almost seems to foreshadow some elements of Metal Gear Solid for PlayStation. You really have to be aware of your surroundings at all times in this game and that’s not a bad thing. I think some game developers have let us become a little lazy, but this game really forces you to understand the reality of the game. If you don't think and act like an IMF agent then you will fail. Often. If you are looking for a challenge, then M:I is just for you. I’d have to definitely recommend a three night rental of this game, because you need at least one evening just to become comfortable with the controls, and the other two days to really play it. "That is your mission, if you choose to accept it." Hey I knew I could come up with an all new cliché!